Geelong has reportedly emerged as the latest suitor to secure the services of delisted Carlton forward Jack Martin.
This development comes after Martin was one of five players cut from Carlton's list following the club's disappointing 2024 AFL finals exit.
The 29-year-old, plagued by injuries throughout his five-year stint at Carlton, now finds himself as a highly sought-after delisted free agent, with Geelong and Fremantle both vying for his signature, perย News Corp.ย
Geelong's interest in Martin stems from their desire to bolster their forward line, a unit which will potentially be moving on 33-year-old Gary Rohan.
Widely respected for their savvy recruiting strategy, Geelong has built a reputation for acquiring out-of-favour mature-age players like Martin and turning them into key contributors in a successful side.
If he can pass a medical assessment, Martin could find himself with a fresh start at Geelong, where the club's renowned high-performance program could help him return to his best form.
The Cats have a track record of helping injury-prone or otherwise struggled players rediscover their game, most notably in recent years with Tyson Stengle, Shaun Higgins and even club legend Gary Ablett.
In a career clearly hampered by fitness issues, Martin has proven - when healthy - to be a dynamic forward with a keen eye for the big sticks.
He played 54 games over five seasons with Carlton after initially being recruited from the Gold Coast Suns, where he appeared in 97 games. Despite the challenges, Martin is said to believe he has several more seasons of senior football ahead.
Carlton, on the other hand, made the difficult decision to part ways with Martin as part of a broader list management strategy following their failed finals campaign.
Along with Martin, the Blues also delisted David Cuningham, Caleb Marchbank, Alex Mirkov, and Dom Akuei.
For Martin, the delisting was reportedly a mutual decision, aimed at allowing him to explore new opportunities, much like when he sought a move away from the Gold Coast Suns in 2019.
His management has indicated strong interest from Fremantle, where Martin has completed a medical, potentially setting the stage for a move back to Western Australia.
While Fremantle is still in the race, Geelong's interest presents a compelling option for Martin, especially given the club's recent success and ability to rejuvenate players' careers.
The Cats are also eyeing Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith in a separate deal, aiming for a trade that could further strengthen their squad ahead of the 2025 season.
A move to Geelong would not only give Martin the chance to compete for a premiership but also allow him to play alongside a well-established forward group.
It would surprise no one if the Cats secured his signature and saw a continuation of their proven strategy of recruitment, transforming yet another out-of-favour player into a vital cog in their premiership machine.
As the AFL trade period approaches, discussions about Martin's future will intensify.
