BYDAN

Jordan Martin is debuting for the Canberra Raiders this weekend.

I have to say of all the options for depth forwards at Coach Stuart’s disposal this was one I hadn’t canvassed. He’s a big body and a talented young forward there’s no doubt. But if you’d asked me prior to outline middles that might squeeze on to the end of a Raiders first grade bench I would have named five or six options before I got to Jordan. Shit he’s not even the top of the depth chart in his family.

Emre Guler has been left out. Corey Horsburgh is either injured or wants out, depending on which masthead you read, and was even rumoured to be coming into the team this week at one point. He’s not even on the list (though there appears to be a space at 23 that perhaps he could fill for a traditional Sticky Smokescreen). Pasami Saulo is injured, and given he missed NSW Cup last week Peter Hola may be too? Hohepa Puru would also count himself lucky despite size and style differences. Even Simi Sasagi had flagged an ability to play middle minutes earlier in the year.

The surprise makes it hard to assess fairly how he’ll go this week. Martin has been part of the NSW Cup team for the last two years, and while he hasn’t been unimpressive, there’s a reason we’ve all been watching the Mooneys, Mariotas and Purus come through the pathway. 54 metres a game isn’t exactly knocking the door down. He’s returning from major injury and only just ramped up to significant minutes last weekend. I have all kind of questions as to whether he’s ready. Evidently the club thinks he is.

He’s definitely a unit, that kind of raw-boned country brawn that looks like they are the strongest person on the field without ever having been in a weights room (for the record I’ve no doubt Jordan spends plenty of time in the weights room). Combine that with his relatively mature age (24) and you don’t have to worry so much about whether he’s physically ready for first grade (provided the ACL feels good). He’s got quick feet for someone with his hulk and bulk and this year at least has gotten through decent defensive work in limited time this season (98 per cent tackle efficiency!).

It’s easy to see this as an impact role. 15 minutes to burn himself out from excitement before he realises that he’s physically exhausted. I would be surprised if Martin got more than one rotation on the field, the kind of experience that Mooney and Mariota got on a semi-regular basis before getting more consistent minutes. It’s a role that Martin has played in Cup footy, and perhaps his size and this potential impact has seen him preferred over other options (like Puru).

In that sense it’s a low risk scenario. Let the young kid get out there and get his feet wet in a role that’s rarely big minutes. But given the strain of the season has been telling on the middle over the last few weeks (Morgan Smithies in particular) there’s a risk in asking them to take more of a burden.

There’s been an idea that’s bubbled in recent times that there’s some sort of rupture and ruction between Sticky and the forward pack. That argument would logically follow that Martin has been rewarded for not being a trouble maker, to make an example to those too big for their boots. I’m not saying it’s impossible but if I’m being frank, it only makes sense if you ignore the handful of other players (like Puru) that were overlooked for the part of martyr.

In that context I’m choosing to see this decision as a reward of hard work. Martin has been around the club for a long time, on the edge of the roster (he’s currently on the supplemental list). He’s been a consistent performer (if in intent and not in quantum). He’s nothing if not an honest footballer.

And after the last few weeks maybe that’s exactly what the Raiders need.

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