By BRAD McGRATH
KYLE Martin was still pinching himself on Thursday afternoon.
The Noble Park product and Frankston Dolphins star had his AFL dream realised on Tuesday morning when Collingwood called his name out at pick 13 in the rookie draft.
“I didn’t really have any idea they were going to pick me,” Martin said.
“It came as a pretty big shock — I knew that I was in the mix but they hadn’t given me any indication that they were going to take me.”
He soon received a call from Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley welcoming him to the Magpies and urging him to seize his chance with both hands. “He just said congratulations on getting picked up, work hard and do your best and you never know what can happen,” the 22 year old said. “It’s pretty exciting and I’m just looking forward to getting stuck into pre-season.”
Martin has stunned the football world with his rapid rise to AFL ranks.
Just over a year ago he had been lured from Noble Park by Dolphins coach Simon Goosey after winning two-straight premierships with the Eastern Football League club.
He averaged 25 possessions in his debut season in the VFL and represented his state against Tasmania.
“A few seasons ago I was at Noble Park and now I’m at Collingwood — you just have to pinch yourself sometimes,” said Martin, who grew up supporting Richmond.
Goosey has been singing Martin’s praises all season and he believes the tough midfielder could continue his improvement quickly at the highly-resourced Magpies.
“I reckon he is a kid who will take the next step and he has a lot of ability to do what he has done,” he said.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he puts his hand up for round one — he’s a pretty competitive person and has got an AFL kick on him and he’s pretty classy.”
Martin was working as a plumber with his father on Tuesday when he received the news and his understanding boss let him finish up in the afternoon to focus on his new career.
Despite Buckley and the bulk of Collingwood’s list being in Utah on their annual high-altitude training camp, Martin was at the Westpac Centre on Wednesday morning with fellow rookie recruits Sam Dwyer (Port Melbourne), Jack Frost (Port Melbourne), Adam Oxley (Redlands) and a handful of Magpies who hadn’t travelled overseas.
“I started at 6.30 yesterday morning — me and a few of the rookies and some of the senior players who didn’t go to Utah trained,” he said.
“It was a really good experience and everyone was really welcoming — they just said it doesn’t matter if you’re the first person on the list or the last, if you work hard you’ll get a chance.”
Former Noble Park star Ziggy Alwan has joined the Dolphins for the 2013 VFL season.
