Welcome to the Westernbulldogs Stefan Martin

[bornadog]

Experienced ruckman Stefan Martin has joined the Western Bulldogs.

The 33-year-old joins the Bulldogs from the Brisbane Lions on a one-year deal, as part of a three-way trade with the Lions and North Melbourne.

Martin has played 190 games across his 13 seasons with the Lions and Melbourne, including eight games – and two finals – in 2020.

The durable big man had missed just four games across five seasons, prior to this year.

“Stef is an important acquisition for our football club and we’re delighted to have him on board,” General Manager of List and Recruiting, Sam Power, said.


“We wanted to bring in an experienced ruckman this off-season to bolster our squad and Stef certainly fits that description.


“He has been a very good player for a long period of time and we know what he will bring on the field.


“We’re also excited by the prospect of him working with our emerging ruckmen, Tim English and Jordon Sweet, to help them develop into the best players they can be.”

Martin joins the Kennel in exchange for emerging defender Lachie Young, who had requested a trade to the Kangaroos.

“Lachie has shown some promising signs over the past two seasons and we wish him all the best for the opportunity ahead of him at North Melbourne,” Power said.

Young and the Lions’ pick 70 move to the Kangaroos, with the Lions receiving pick 63 from the Kangaroos.
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[bulldogtragic]

Well, I hope MC meetings are live streamed in 2021 because I genuinely would love to hear them from week to week talk about things.

Welcome Stef.

All the best JT.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

He will make a good reserves player just like Trengrove

[jazzadogs]

He will make a good reserves player just like Trengrove

Trengrove was brought across as a 26yo key defender. In the one game he did play this year he moved like a truck and showed no sign that he should have been given more games. Just because they were making a mistake with Bruce doesn't mean we should encourage more!

I like Martin at his best, but I'm not sure we will see it. It is certainly nice to see us address an area of need in some way though.

[1eyedog]

Good stop gap. If we get 10 games out of him to play against Grundy / Gawn et al. he will be a useful acquisition. I never really rated La Young and I guess the MC didn't either. Martin has been brought in as a ruckman and has far greater ruck acumen than JT. I think this is a win/win.

[Eastdog]

I like it. Welcome to the Dogs Stefan Martin. Will provide some experience for us in the ruck and help out the developing Tim English.

I’m still here just not too big on the trade threads but will comment In threads when we get or lose players. Great to see BT back

[Rocket Science]

Yeh boi.

Those equating Trengove with Martin because 'big' need to look harder; Martin's twice the ruckman Trengove is on his best day.

We think of English as an extra mid in there once the ruck duel's dispensed with. Think of Martin in much the same way at ground level, he's fearless in and under and able to extract a la Huddo, who he's been schooled by up there no less.

This offers our mids, and the coach, a freedom to create we haven't really had since 2016 - and a plan B when English is getting bullied that doesn't involve sending a mid in to take over.

[bornadog]

He will make a good reserves player just like Trengrove

He will be a mentor to English - now that can only be a good thing

[SquirrelGrip]

He will be a mentor to English - now that can only be a good thing

And to Sweet too, who is just as young.

[bornadog]

And to Sweet too, who is just as young.

Yes of course, forgot him

[EasternWest]

I'm happy enough with this.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I wasn't a fan of us getting JT because I didn't rate him as a ruck or KPD, nor that we gave him 4 years on good coin.

Martin was far from my first choice, but given nobody else was available / Martin was cheap / it's a 1 year deal, I can live with it.

Hope he goes well.

[FrediKanoute]

This must now spell the end for JT at the Bulldogs?

[Go_Dogs]

Don’t mind this move.

He won’t play every week, will support our young guys and probably means we get to see more of English forward which I’m actually a big fan of. Has a lot of potential there - can lead at the ball well.

[bornadog]

I wasn't a fan of us getting JT because I didn't rate him as a ruck or KPD, nor that we gave him 4 years on good coin.

Martin was far from my first choice, but given nobody else was available / Martin was cheap / it's a 1 year deal, I can live with it.

Hope he goes well.

JT was three years