32 Facts About Stefan Martin

Stefan Martin was born on 17 November 1986 and is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane Lions, and Melbourne in the Australian Football League.

Stefan Martin played junior basketball at an elite level, starting out with the strong Dandenong Rangers program and progressing to the Nunawading Spectres senior team in the ABA.

Stefan Martin played a test series for Australia in New Zealand as a raw 17-year-old shooting guard.

In 2006, while still playing basketball, Stefan Martin decided to give in to his mates and join them at amateurs football club, Old Haileybury.

Stefan Martin was 19 and had never played a football game before.

Stefan Martin shocked everyone when he arrived up to his first game with a slurpee and doughnut.

Stefan Martin ended his first season by winning the under 19 best and fairest after polling 23 of a possible 24 votes, he had been given best on ground in eight of the nine games he played.

Stefan Martin had an article written about him in the Herald Sun and some AFL clubs were interested in him, most notably Melbourne Football Club who invited him to train and although he was overlooked in the 2007, Stefan Martin was asked to play at the Demons' VFL affiliate side at the time, Sandringham, so they could watch his development.

Stefan Martin started 2007 in Sandringham's reserves, but was playing for the seniors as a ruckman soon after.

Stefan Martin impressed enough to be selected in the VFL Under 23 South side.

Stefan Martin made his debut in Round 14 for Melbourne's match against the Brisbane Lions at the MCG as a 22-year-old.

Stefan Martin put in a solid performance and Melbourne managed its second win of the season.

Stefan Martin went on to play the next 8 games for Melbourne averaging 13 disposals and 4 marks a game.

Stefan Martin competed in the 2008 AFL Grand Final Sprint, narrowly placing second to Richmond speedster Matthew White who won off scratch.

Stefan Martin was used as utility in 2009, beginning the season in the backline before being trialled in the ruck and up forward.

Stefan Martin kicked six goals for the year from 19 games.

Persistent hip injuries cruelled his 2010 campaign and Stefan Martin only managed two games in round 5 and 6.

Stefan Martin played 21 games, mostly in the ruck, he proved dangerous when moved forward, kicked 10 goals for the season.

Stefan Martin averaged 17 disposals, 14 hitouts and 2 tackles per game and ended up finishing 8th in Melbourne's club best and fairest.

Stefan Martin kicked goals in each of his first three AFL games with the Lions, before injuring his ankle early in the Round 4 clash against North Melbourne.

Stefan Martin impressed for the Lions reserves and was back in the AFL side for round 20.

Stefan Martin only gathered six disposals and 10 hitouts against Richmond in a loss; however, he suffered a hamstring strain that would effectively end his campaign.

Stefan Martin played two NEAFL games and was back in the AFL team for round 12.

Stefan Martin gathered 17 disposals, 32 hitouts and six clearances against Will Minson, who was the All-Australian ruckman the previous year.

Stefan Martin's name was being thrown around in All-Australian discussions, with his stats more than matching up against the best in the competition.

Stefan Martin was ultimately overlooked in the All-Australian squad due to only playing 12 games, but earned the first Brownlow Medal votes of his career, finishing on three votes in total.

Stefan Martin used his mobility and agility as a ruckman to average 22 disposals a game, which was the most of any ruckman.

Stefan Martin averaged 32 hit outs and 21 disposals from 20 games in 2015.

Stefan Martin finished off the year with a huge performance in round 23 against the Western Bulldogs with 50 hitouts and 32 disposals in a win, gaining two Brownlow votes.

Stefan Martin's performance dropped in rounds 9 to 12 as West was selected for Brisbane; however, once West was dropped back to the NEAFL, Stefan Martin improved his numbers as the sole ruck.

Stefan Martin was traded to the Western Bulldogs at the conclusion of the 2020 AFL season.

Stefan Martin later played in the side's 2021 AFL Grand Final loss.