Gazza move clears way for Martin

HE looms as the heir to Gary Ablett’s Gold Coast throne, but Jack Martin insists he is feeling no pressure to be the club’s new midfield messiah.

Armed with a full preseason in the Suns’ engine room, Martin will be largely deployed in the midfield after playing the bulk of his 66 games as the side’s forwardline magician.

The Suns started life in the post-Ablett era with a 56-point win over an under-strength Geelong on Sunday, with him featuring strongly in coach Stuart Dew’s new game plan centred on defensive pressure.

While the 23-year-old West Australian concedes Ablett will be missed, he is adamant the weight of public expectation has not been shifted to his shoulders.

“I’m probably not one to put that pressure on myself but obviously Gary has been a champion of the club (and) a champion of the game so we’ve got some big shoes to fill,” Martin said.

“I had a run through the midfield on the weekend and that was my good. It was my first real hitout in the midfield and obviously with Gary departing it’s nice there are a lot of guys who can go through there now this year.

“I’ve trained a whole summer through the midfield and done all the meetings, worked with the midfield coaches all summer. I’ll look to push more into the midfield in 2018.

“It’s exciting, it’s a new journey for us, a new coach, a new start and one we’re looking forward to.”

The Suns will welcome back co-captain Steven May and midfield leaders David Swallow and Michael Barlow for Sunday’s pre-season clash with the Brisbane Lions, thumped by Sydney last weekend.