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Sport Nation
Nic Martin's non-linear journey to the pinnacle of the AFL
Jaiden Sciberras • June 13th, 2025 6:30 pm
Nic Martin has rapidly developed into a top liner in the AFL, however his progression to this point was hardly linear.
Despite representing Western Australia in the Under 18's Championships in 2019, the young forward from WA was passed on by all 18 teams in the 2019 AFL National Draft.
As an 18-year-old undrafted rookie, Nic Martin remained in Western Australia with Subiaco, playing out two impressive years in the lower footballing landscape before landing a well-earnt AFL opportunity in late 2021.
After failing to land on West Coast’s list despite training with the side in 2020, the Bombers came knocking, preparing the freak athlete for a chance at a supplementary selection after an admirable showing in the WAFL across the season.
Putting on a top performance on the wing in Essendon's pre-season practice match against the Western Bulldogs in 2022, the Bombers took the gamble on the young gun, signing him alongside father-son prospect Tex Wanganeen as SSP selections to round off the club's list.
Just weeks after signing his first professional contract, Martin found himself on the wing of the MCG, taking on the Cats in what would prove to be a historical debut, collecting 27 disposals and booting five goals to earn a rising star nomination.
At 24 years old, Martin has been reached the upper echelon of the AFL, averaging 26 disposals, eight marks and three tackles a game in 2025 off the back of finishing second place in the club’s best and fairest last season.
Speaking with Kane Cornes and David King, the 79-gamer explained that while he isn’t exactly sure why he was continuously overlooked, the time spent in the dark played a vital role in his progression as an AFL footballer.
“If I knew the answer I’d be a pretty rich man because I’d be telling everyone else,” Martin told SEN Fireball.
“It was probably a lot about my maturity, both above the shoulders and physically as well.
“The way I look at it is that I was probably quite a selfish footballer as a junior.
“It was probably all about me, but as I got older and learned that it’s all about the team and how I could play my role for the team, that actually eventuated to playing better footy at Subiaco, which then gave me the opportunity to train on at Essendon.
“I was extremely diligent and quite serious when I was 17-18 (years old), playing junior football.
“There was a turning moment where I thought I probably need to change, loosen up how serious I was as an 18-year-old.
“That loosening up and really honest conversations with coaches about how I can help the team, really figuring out my strengths and my role as a footballer, that eventuated to AFL level.
“Important lessons I learnt at 18-19 years old really set me up to be a good AFL footballer.”
Martin also expressed his love for the game of football, revealing his desire to watch as many games as possible alongside club captain Zach Merrett.
“I’m obsessed with it,” he continued.
“I find it quite fascinating that players speak about ‘I don’t watch footy, I turn it off’.
“But that’s just me, I love watching every game, my missus absolutely hates it, she’s really getting into me at the moment at Round 12, but I’ll watch every game.
“You can just pick up little things which I really enjoy. One I sort of lean on is Zach Merrett with this sort of stuff. He’s quite similar and he’s great just to talk to about it.”
Off the back of a valiant eight-point defeat to the Blues last Sunday, Martin and the Bombers will look to return to winning form as they host the Cats at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
