Rachelle Martin

{{short description|Australian rules footballer}}

{{Use Australian English|date=May 2020}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}

{{Infobox AFL biography

| name = Rachelle Martin

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| fullname = Rachelle Martin

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|2|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

| originalteam = West Adelaide (SANFLW)

| debutdate = Round 1, 2020

| draftpick = No. 45, 2019 draft

| debutteam = {{AFLW|Ade}}

| debutopponent = {{AFLW|Bri}}

| debutstadium = Hickey Park

| height = 153 cm

| weight =

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = {{AFLW|Ade}}

| guernsey = 5

| years1 = 2020–

| club1 = {{AFLW|Ade}}

| games_goals1 = 46 (14)

| statsend = the 2023 season

| careerhighlights =

}}

Rachelle Martin (born 16 February 1999) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for Adelaide in the AFL Women's (AFLW).{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/players/aflw/3749/rachelle-martin|title=Rachelle Martin {{!}} AFL|accessdate=28 October 2024|website=afc.com.au}} She is a premiership player for the Crows alongside her sister Hannah Button.

Junior career

Martin's junior club was Fitzroy in the Adelaide Footy League. She was signed by {{SANFL WA}} and won their best and fairest award in 2018. In 2020, as vice-captain of West Adelaide, Martin won the SANFL Women's League Best and Fairest Award alongside Crows teammate Anne Hatchard, as well as her second club best and fairest award.{{cite web|url=https://westadelaidefc.com.au/news/rachelle-martin-becomes-a-crow/|website=westadelaidefc.com.au|title=Rachelle Martin becomes a Crow|date=7 October 2020|accessdate=28 October 2024}}

AFL Women's career

Martin was signed to Adelaide in 2019 as she was invited to train with the senior squad. One of two in Adelaide's train-on list, she was signed as a rookie semi-available for selection following the long-term injury of Chelsea Randall.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/559448/aflw-train-on-players-signed|title=AFLW: Train-on players signed|publisher=Telstra Media|work=Adelaide|date=3 February 2020}} Less than a week later, Martin made her shock AFL Women's debut in round one of the 2020 season against {{AFLW|Bri}}, due to late changes in the squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/561447/aflw-martin-to-debut-after-late-change|title=AFLW: Martin to debut after late change|publisher=Telstra Media|work=Adelaide|date=8 February 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/562584/aflw-rachelle-s-whirlwind-week|title=AFLW: Rachelle's whirlwind week|first=Kirralee|last=Thomas|publisher=Telstra Media|work=Adelaide|date=11 February 2020}} Martin did not play any further games in her rookie year.

Martin was officially drafted by Adelaide in the following off-season, taken by the club at pick 45 in the 2020 draft. She became a premiership player in 2022 when the Crows beat {{AFLW|Mel}} during season six. Martin was named as one of the Crows' best on the day.{{cite web|url=https://crowshistory.afc.com.au/2022-aflw-premiership|website=crowshistory.afc.com.au|accessdate=28 October 2024|title=2022 S6 AFLW Premiership}}

Martin played her 50th AFL Women's game the 2024 match against {{AFLW|Ess}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1657381/aflw|title=AFLW: Footy and family, Martin's journey to 50 games|date=17 September 2024|first=Tilly|last=Merino-Phillipps|website=afc.com.au}}

Personal life

Martin, along with sister, Hannah, grew up on a family farm in the Yorke Peninsula "between Minlaton and Stansbury". She is a university graduate and practicing accountant.{{cite web|title='I wanted to be a farmer': 10 questions with Rachelle Martin|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/999505/i-wanted-to-be-a-farmer-10-questions-with-rachelle-martin|date=22 November 2021|first=Sarah|last=Black|website=afl.com.au}}

References

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