Will Martyn

Martyn first played junior football for the Aspley Football Club's under eight division.{{cite news |title=Future Hornets stars shine in U15 Nationals |url=https://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?c=1-109-9631-0-0&sID=56350&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=46205422 |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Aspley Hornets |publisher=Gameday |date=28 July 2016}} He was a stand out player from an early age, joining the under 13 division of the Brisbane Lions Academy in 2014.{{cite web |title=2014 Brisbane Lions Academy U13 - U18 Player Squads |url=https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/BrisbaneLions/Links/PDF/2014_Academy_Squad_List.pdf |publisher=AFL |access-date=7 April 2021}} He represented the Brisbane North region at State Academy Championships over coming years, including in 2015.{{cite news |title=U14 State Academy Championships: full results |url=https://www.aflq.com.au/u14-state-academy-championships-day-1-results/ |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=AFL Queensland |publisher=Gameday |date=25 September 2015}}

In 2016, Martyn represented Queensland at the Under 15 National Championships and was named best on ground in a premiership winning division 1 final with the Aspley Under 15 side that same year.{{cite news |title=2016 AFL Brisbane Juniors Grand Finals |url=https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-3928-0-0-0&sID=53488&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=16924325 |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=AFL Brisbane Juniors |publisher=Gameday |date=16 September 2016}}

In 2018, Martyn represented Queensland at the Under 17 National Championships, where he was regularly the side's leading ball-winner and named in his team's best players on two occasions.{{cite news |last1=Alvaro |first1=Michael |title=Maroons storm home to knock off Rams |url=https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/2018/07/11/maroons-storm-home-to-knock-off-rams/ |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Aussie Rules Draft Central |date=11 July 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Peter |title=Scouting notes: U17s – Vic Country vs Queensland |url=https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/2018/08/13/scouting-notes-u17s-vic-country-vs-queensland/ |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Aussie Rules Draft Central |date=13 August 2018}} He was one of three Queenslanders rewarded with All-Star selection at the end of that series, playing in an All-Star match at the MCG prior to that season's AFL Grand Final.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Peter |title=Dragons dominate Under 17 All Stars squads |url=https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/2018/09/04/dragons-dominate-under-17-all-stars-squads/ |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Aussie Rules Draft Central |date=4 September 2018}}

Martyn was one of 150 elite junior talents selected to participate in the AFL Academy in 2019, before captaining the Lions Academy side in the 2019 NAB League Boys season, averaging 29 disposals and four clearances a game across five matches and ultimately winning the side's MVP award.{{cite news |last1=Balmer |first1=Matt |title=AFL Draft: Full squads after radical overhaul for AFL Academy with focus on state-based academies |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-radical-overhaul-for-afl-academy-with-focus-on-statebased-academies/news-story/275616acd755635295f17b5ca3dd42dd |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Fox Sports |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=25 October 2018}} During the season, Martyn was named as part of a 26-player national under 18 squad to play against VFL side the Casey Demons in a one-off exhibition game.{{cite news |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=Another Oakleigh star charges into Australian U18 squad |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/49859/another-oakleigh-star-charges-into-australian-u18-squad |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=3 April 2019}}

That same year, he represented Queensland as part of Allies side at the 2019 AFL Under 18 Championships.{{cite news |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=Potential first-round pick sheds kilos, Allies unveil U18 squad |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/133532/draft-hopeful-plays-weighting-game-as-allies-unveil-u18-squad |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=9 May 2019}}

Following the tournament, Martyn was released by the Lions to play two senior NEAFL matches with rival side and his former junior club Aspley. Impressive performances saw Martyn recalled to the Lions, where he made a second NEAFL club debut that year alongside non-selected AFL players in the Brisbane Lions' reserves side. He remained with the side into its finals series and became a NEAFL premiership player in the club's grand final win over Southport.{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Dan |title=NEAFL Grand Final: Team and Preview |url=https://www.lions.com.au/news/41097/neafl-grand-final-team-and-preview |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Brisbane Lions |publisher=Telstra Media |date=13 September 2019}}

Martyn was invited to participate in the 2019 AFL draft combine, where he recorded the ninth best two kilometre time trial time (Six minutes 16 seconds).{{cite news |title=Will Martyn invited to trial at the 2019 combine |url=https://www.lions.com.au/news/113356/will-martyn-invited-to-trial-at-the-2019-combine |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Brisbane Lions |publisher=Telstra Media |date=19 September 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=Former basketballer smashes 2km time trial record by 14 seconds |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/129248/former-basketballer-smashes-2km-time-trial-record-by-14-seconds |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=4 October 2019}}

As a member of the Lions' academy, the club was given priority access to match any other club's bid on Martyn at the forthcoming AFL national draft.{{cite news |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=Academy prospects: Who's eligible for your club in 2019? |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/130581/academy-prospects-whos-eligible-for-your-club-in-2019 |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=7 February 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=U18 Championships: 20 young guns to watch |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/133717/u18-championships-20-young-guns-to-watch |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=30 May 2019}}

Prior to the draft, Martyn was projected by ESPN's Chris Doerre to be bid on at pick 59 by Hawthorn, with the {{AFL BL}} expected to pass on the chance to match the bid.{{cite news |last1=Doerre |first1=Chris |title=Every club, every pick: ESPN's full AFL phantom draft |url=https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/28164931/every-club-every-pick-espn-full-afl-phantom-draft |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=ESPN |publisher=Disney |date=27 November 2019}}

{{AFL player statistics legend}}

NAB League Boys

{{AFL player statistics start}}

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2019

|Brisbane Lions

| 11 || 5 || 1 || — || 96 || 48 || 144 || 36 || 23 || 0.2 || — || 19.2 || 9.6 || 28.8 || 7.2 || 4.6

|-

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 5

! 1

! —

! 96

! 48

! 144

! 36

! 23

! 0.2

! —

! 19.2

! 9.6

! 28.8

! 7.2

! 4.6

|}

Under 18 National Championships

{{AFL player statistics start}}

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2019

|Allies

| 15 || 4 || 0 || — || 28 || 29 || 57 || 10 || 10 || 0.0 || — || 7.0 || 7.3 || 14.3 || 2.5 || 2.5

|-

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 4

! 0

! —

! 28

! 29

! 57

! 10

! 10

! 0.0

! —

! 7.0

! 7.3

! 14.3

! 2.5

! 2.5

|}

Martyn was drafted by {{AFL Ric}} with the club's third pick and the 44th selection overall in the 2019 AFL national draft.{{cite news |title=Martyn becomes a Tiger |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/309023/martyn-becomes-a-tiger |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=28 November 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Black |first1=Sarah |title=Two cubs poached from Lions' den, 'Biggie' becomes a Tiggy |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/149267/two-cubs-poached-from-lions-den-biggie-becomes-a-tiggy |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=28 November 2019}}

After a full pre-season, Martyn narrowly missed selection during the AFL pre-season series, instead being named as a non-playing AFL-level emergency on one occasion and participating in a VFL pre-season match with the club's reserves side in the first week of March.{{cite news |title=Your club's draftees: Who's flying, who's R1 ready, who needs time? |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/377973/your-club-s-draftees-who-s-flying-who-s-r1-ready-who-needs-time- |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=26 February 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Ben |title=FOLLOW IT LIVE: Livewire Pie out, Tigers go in as named |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/380316/follow-it-live-livewire-pie-out-tigers-go-in-as-named |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=1 March 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Brenton |title=VFL Tigers overrun Werribee |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/573533/vfl-tigers-overrun-werribee |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=8 March 2020}} It was to be his final competitive match in many months though, as the following week's reserves match was cancelled due to safety concerns as a result of the rapid progression of the COVID-19 pandemic into Australia.{{cite news |last1=Beveridge |first1=Riley |title=Game off: Tiger stars to miss valuable practice match |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/384840/game-off-tiger-stars-to-miss-valuable-practice-match |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=13 March 2020}} Though the AFL season would start on schedule later that month, just one round of matches was played of the reduced 17-round season before the imposition of state border restrictions saw the season suspended for an indefinite hiatus.{{cite news |title=AFL to go ahead with round one of men's 2020 season amid coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-18/coronavirus-afl-round-one-announcement/12066394 |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=19 March 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Damien |title=Why coronavirus could force the AFL to play games without fans |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/384419/why-coronavirus-could-force-the-afl-to-play-games-without-fans |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=10 March 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Damien |title=Coronavirus crisis: AFL makes call on round one |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/384878/coronavirus-crisis-afl-makes-call-on-round-one |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=13 March 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Damien |title='Most serious threat in 100 years': AFL postpones season |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/389109/-most-serious-threat-in-100-years-afl-postpones-season |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=22 March 2020}}{{cite news |title=AFL suspends season in response to coronavirus, with AFLW season cancelled — but NRL plays on for now |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-22/coronavirus-afl-suspends-season-aflw-cancelled-nrl-plays-on/12079476 |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=23 March 2020}} Martyn suffered a stress reaction in his foot upon a return to training in late-May, which saw him unable to participate at either level when the season eventually resumed after an 11-week hiatus.{{cite news |title=Injury Report: Round 4 |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/720586/injury-report-round-4 |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=22 June 2020}} In early-July and while Martyn continued to undergo rehabilitation on the injury, a virus outbreak in Melbourne saw the club relocated to the Gold Coast.{{cite news |last1=Jake Niall, Peter Ryan and Toby Crockford |title=AFL to move all Victorian clubs to Queensland to save season |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/queensland/afl-wants-to-move-hundreds-of-players-to-queensland-to-keep-season-alive-20200715-p55c6g.html |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=The Age |publisher=Nine Entertainment Co |date=15 July 2020}} Martyn remained in Melbourne alongside the club's other junior contingent for the early weeks of that period, before joining his teammates in a second travelling party in late-July.{{cite book |last1=Marshall |first1=Konrad |title=The Hard Way |publisher=Slattery Media Group |location=Melbourne, Australia |isbn=9781743797648 |page=40}}{{cite news |last1=Cavanagh |first1=Chris |title=Bachar Houli issues unifying pandemic plea as he flies to Gold Coast hub |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/bachar-houli-preparing-to-join-richmond-teammates-at-gold-coast-hub/news-story/5964e65f6e1eb62569eba1d77799689e |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=Herald Sun |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=30 July 2020}} In place of an official reserves competition that year, Martyn took part in unofficial scratch matches against other clubs' non-selected players after his return from injury in August.{{cite news |last1=Cleary |first1=Mitch |title=Will your club play a scratch match this weekend? |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/442812/will-your-club-play-a-scratch-match-this-weekend- |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=10 June 2020}}{{cite news |title=Coaches' Corner: Clarke on development |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/793977/coaches-corner |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=12 August 2020}} In round 14, Martyn was named a non-playing emergency at AFL level but ultimately spent the remainer of the season playing at reserves level.{{cite news |last1=Ben Waterworth, Max Laughton and David Zita |title=AFL teams, Round 14: Mass changes for Magpies including the return of an out of favour star |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2020-round-14-teams-team-whispers-full-squads-ins-and-outs-changes-injuries-latest-news-updates/news-story/d21d65319555e820123e9c0be0aa2f3e |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=Fox Sports |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=29 August 2020}}{{cite news |title=Scratch match v Geelong player summary |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/813264/scratch-match-v-geelong-player-summary |access-date=14 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=14 September 2020}}{{cite news |title=Scrimmage match v Collingwood player summary |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/825444/scrimmage-match-v-collingwood-player-summary |access-date=14 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=12 October 2020}} Martyn went without making an AFL debut that year, in what was a premiership-winning season for the club.

Martyn began 2021 in the frame for an early season debut, featuring in the club's first choice AFL lineup during an unofficial practice match against {{AFL Mel}} in February and on limited minutes in the club's sole official pre-season series match against {{AFL Col}} in March.{{cite news |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=Big Max dominates, fringe forward fires, Dusty finishes early |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/553122/big-max-dominates-fringe-forward-fires-dusty-finishes-early |access-date=22 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=26 February 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=Tigers hang on in a thriller, Pies sweat on injuries |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/556494/match-report-tigers-pies |access-date=22 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=5 March 2021}} He was unable to secure a debut in round 1, instead being named as a non-playing emergency for the season opener while continuing to play pre-season matches with the club's reserves side in the VFL.{{cite news |last1=Beveridge |first1=Riley |title=TEAMS: Flag heroes missing, new Blues in, Martin out |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/563417/teams |access-date=22 April 2021 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=17 March 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Brenton |title=VFL Tigers overrun Magpies to reign in the heat |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/896103/vfl-tigers-overrun-magpies-to-reign-in-the-heat |access-date=22 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=4 April 2021}} Following an injury to midfielder Dion Prestia in round 3, Martyn was called up to senior level to make his debut in the club's round 4 match against {{AFL PA}} at the Adelaide Oval.{{cite news |title=Richmond's regeneration on the run |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/900085/richmonds-regeneration-on-the-run |access-date=22 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=9 April 2021}}{{cite news |title=Tigers name two debutants for Port clash |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/899406/tigers-name-two-debutants-for-port-clash |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=7 April 2021}} After recording 12 disposals in the match, he was dropped back to reserves level the following week.{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Brenton |title=VFL Tigers back in business with win over Zebras |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/912327/vfl-tigers-back-in-business-with-win-over-zebras |access-date=22 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=17 April 2021}}{{cite news |title=Premiership pair return to face the Saints |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/910364/afl-round-5-team-announcement |access-date=22 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=14 April 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Greenberg |first1=Tony |title=Tiger cubs to benefit from tough debut match |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/902968/tiger-cubs-to-benefit-from-tough-debut-match |access-date=22 April 2021 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=11 April 2021}}

Martin did not play a game during the 2022 season and was subsequently delisted.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-01 |title=How your club is placed ahead of the list lodgement deadline and upcoming AFL draft |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/how-your-club-is-placed-ahead-of-the-list-lodgement-deadline-and-upcoming-afl-draft/news-story/2059a30b5208a9e155f659c597f868a8 |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}

Martyn plays predominately as an inside ball-winning midfielder. With elite{{Cite web|title=Draft Prospect - Will Martyn|url=https://draftprospects.prod.afl/prospect/1009313|access-date=2022-02-20|website=draftprospects.prod.afl}} hands, he is also notable for his defensive running and ability to apply pressure to opposition ball carriers in contested situations.

Updated to the end of round 23, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/W/Will_Martyn.html|work=AFL Tables|title=Will Martyn|access-date=18 April 2021}}

{{AFL player statistics legend}}

{{AFL player statistics start}}

|-

| 2020

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 36 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|-

| 2021

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 36 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 14 || 12 || 26 || 6 || 3 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 4.7 || 4.0 || 8.7 || 2.0 || 1.0

|-

| 2022

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 36 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 3

! 0

! 0

! 14

! 12

! 26

! 6

! 3

! 0.0

! 0.0

! 4.7

! 4.0

! 8.7

! 2.0

! 1.0

|}

• Premiership player: 2019

• Brisbane Lions Academy captain: 2019
• Brisbane Lions Academy MVP: 2019

Best{{Cite web|title=VFL Tigers seeing the silver linings|url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1014321/vfl-tigers-seeing-the-silver-linings|access-date=2022-02-20|website=richmondfc.com.au|language=en}} and fairest: Richmond took Will Martyn with their third pick in the 2019 draft and he claimed the Guinane Medal in just his second season at the club, but 1st season of VFL (due to COVID-19) while also earning two AFL games. Martyn polled 28 votes to beat Lachlan Street (24), Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (22), Callum Coleman-Jones (21) and Samson Ryan (20).

Martyn's father Andrew played QAFL football with Windsor-Zillmere in the 1980s and 90s, as well as representing Queensland at state level.{{cite news |last1=Dawson |first1=Andrew |title=Aspley Hornets AFC players Kobe Tozer and Will Martyn in the AFL draft spotlight |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/north/aspley-hornets-afc-players-kobe-tozer-and-will-martyn-in-the-afl-draft-spotlight/news-story/d38430eb5e043c195100c9b723fbe75d |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Courier Mail |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=26 November 2019}} His maternal uncle Cameron Buchanan, played for Zillmere and received the QAFL Grogan medal in 1991{{Citation|title=Grogan Medal|date=2020-05-11|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grogan_Medal&oldid=956149922|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2021-04-14}}

Martyn's paternal grandfather, William Ross Martyn played national level basketball with New Zealand in 1958.{{Cite web|title=Alumni {{!}} Basketball New ZealandBasketball New Zealand|url=https://nz.basketball/national-teams/alumni/|access-date=2021-04-14|website=nz.basketball|language=en-AU}}

Martyn's paternal aunty, Leigh Martyn, represented Queensland softball in the 1990s, winning three Gillies Shields, as well as numerous National Fastpitch league titles.{{Cite web|last=Queensland|first=Softball|title=Qld Women History|url=http://assets.softball.org.au/dl/qld/Playing/State%20Teams/State%20Team%20History/Open%20Women%20Histroy.pdf}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Richplayer|id=2218/will-martyn}}
• {{AFL Tables|W/Will_Martyn.html}}
• [https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/player/will-martyn/ Will Martyn's profile] at AFL Draft Central

{{2019 AFL national draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martyn, Will}}

Category:Living people

Category:2001 births

Category:Richmond Football Club players

Category:Aspley Football Club players

Category:People educated at Padua College (Brisbane)

Category:Australian rules footballers from Brisbane

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen