Fresh Geelong recruit Jack Martin has revealed he planned on moving home to Western Australia until he met Geelong's high-performance and medical team.
Martin was delisted by Carlton at the end of the season following a year of soft tissue injury niggles, limiting the 29-year-old to just three games in navy blue in 2024.
2024 was Martin's most strugglesome year with injury, although he had been restricted to just 36 games in the three seasons prior too.
Following his delisting, Martin's club of choice was soon revealed to be down the highway at Kardinia Park, and he was officially signed on November 1. With a growing record of veterans successfully extending their playing days at Geelong, Martin made the move to prove he could play consistent AFL football again.
The former Sun said his delisting was somewhat expected despite limited communication with the Blues, which readied him for a change of scenery at a third AFL club.
"There wasn't many chats throughout the year to be honest (with Carlton), so I sort of expected it. The writing was sort of on the wall," Martin said to the media.
"My manager was working in the background and the Cats popped up and it's something I'm forever grateful for."
Born in Broome, Western Australia, Martin was set for a move to Fremantle, who were interested in signing the general forward, before Geelong impressed Martin with their history of bringing the best out of ageing footballers.
"There was a few things I had to think about with the decision, obviously a big move with a really young family," Martin said.
"The high-performance and medical team, Geelong have got a good history with getting older guys in and looking after them, allowing them to play the backend of their career and play a lot of footy.
"We were always going to WA, and then the Cats popped up and I'm loving it here. The guys have been welcoming, it's a great environment."
Since beginning pre-season, Martin has been feeling healthy, managing a slightly lower load than his teammates to ensure he thrives in Cats colours in 2025.
"I'm right where I want to be right now, body's feeling good, I'm fit, the high-performance team have been looking after me," Martin said.
"The load is back a little bit, just trying to get through to Christmas and build loads from post-Christmas and New Year."
With aims to join a stacked forward line of talent featuring Jeremy Cameron, Tyson Stengle, and Gryan Miers, Martin is hoping to prove to himself that he belongs in the side after seasons of being constantly sidelined.
"It's not so much proving (Carlton) wrong, I think I want to prove to myself I can play AFL football. I just want to get out there and showcase my skill and play for my family," Martin said.
"I just couldn't get my body right to be honest. It's as simple as that. I'm happy right now where I am, got a good medical team, and family's happy which plays a big part in it.
'I'm grateful I've got another opportunity and I get to prove myself again."
Geelong's 2025 season will begin with an Opening Round clash against the reigning premiers Brisbane in the first game of the season on Thursday, March 6.
