Jumping Jack flash
one of the best players in the comp for a long time and I think Martin is the next player on their list who can join that group,’’ Lynch said.
“He has all the tools to be an elite player in this competition.
“He’s tough and hard at the ball, is a great mark on the lead and is great off both left and right foot.’’
Lynch sees a lot of 22-yearold Martin in his role as a commentator and believes he has yet to receive the attention he deserves from the rest of the competition.
One reason is that the Suns’ have endured lean times in Martin’s three years at the club and do not receive much publicity in the traditional football states.
Lynch believes another reason is the Jack of all trades is used all over the ground by the Suns which has cost him a chance to push his name into All Australian conversation which generally catapults a player into the limelight.
When he moved into defence last year during the extended injury lay-offs to May, Rory Thompson and Trent McKenzie he quickly became the Suns’ most important player.
“He showed signs last year if he stayed down back he could be an All Australian defender reasonably quickly,’’ he said.
Lynch says although the constant rotating from defence to attack and through the midfield may hurt Martin’s profile, it was doing him no harm in the long run.
Rodney Eade says the Suns need first use of the ball and they’re currently ranked No.1 in centre clearances with 18.8 per game while North Melbourne are 13th with an average of 13.
Jack Martin will play his 50th AFL game for the Suns and will be keen to hit the scoreboard in his milestone moment.
“As part of his development I would play him in all positions,’’ he said.
“I wouldn’t give him too much time in the midfield because he goes so hard at the footy and he’s still pretty light.
“But he is an asset for them in all areas and I don’t think it hurts to swing him around.
“Right now with their injuries to key defenders I’d like to see him used down back again because he doesn’t panic, his decision making is very good for such a young player and he uses the ball so well.”