THE MOST popular selection for pick one amongst the AFLW clubs, Oakleigh Chargers and Vic Metro sharpshooter Bailee Martin conceded she had some ups and downs in 2026, with frustrating “niggles” and a rapid illness before ending the season like many had predicted with some big goal hauls and eye-catching plays.

“I thought it was a pretty decent year,” Martin told Rookie Me Central at the National Draft Combine. “Obviously had a few interruptions with a few niggles but had a good consistent second half to the year which was good fun.”

Martin became a two-time All-Australian at Under 18s level despite missing a game, slamming home seven goals against Vic Country for the second year in a row. She proved a problem against Queensland, and while well-held against Western Australia and ill against South Australia, Martin’s finale against the arch-rival was the perfect end to the national carnival.

“I was obviously pretty disappointed to miss the game against SA so I had a week recovering and then got back into training and then was ready for a big game against them,” Martin said.

Having overcome a really bad flu that appeared the day before the game when Metro was flying out, Martin was forced to remain at home with “full body aches and sweats” which was frustrating for the competitor in what was a key game for the then-undefeated side.

However she wasted no time against Country, slamming home goals for fun anywhere inside 50. When asked if there’s anything she does differently when preparing to play Country given her 14 goals in two outings, Martin said she wasn’t sure what elevated her game.

“I don’t know, they’re obviously our rivals, Metro and Country. I love having a good game against them, it’s always good fun when we play them,” she said. “That was definitely up there with one of my better games. “But I thought there were a few other games where I didn’t kick as many goals but had decent impact as well.”

Returning to Oakleigh for the Talent League Girls run home, Martin said she was pleased to be able to contribute to the Chargers’ reaching another grand final, her second in three years. While on this occasion Oakleigh fell short of a flag, the tall forward was pleased with the team’s year.

“Oakleigh had a really good season, I missed a fair few games at the start of the year which was annoying being out of the team, but once I was back in the second half of the year after champs and everything, had a pretty consistent time with them and we all worked really hard to get to the final,” Martin said. “Obviously fell short, but it just showed how hard we worked all year and it was really good.”

Martin ironed out a host of areas throughout the year that were room for improvement after her stunning bottom-age campaign.

“I think this year I’ve definitely worked a bit more on my contested marking and bodywork and also being able to impact up the ground and pushing up, not just having the impact down in the 50,” Martin said. “I definitely tried to work on that a lot.

“I definitely went away and worked on my goalkicking quite a lot and got my routine structured. “I knew what I was doing when I shot at goal and I definitely think that helped me a lot and I was able to kick a fair few goals. “Still had a couple of misses, but it was definitely much better this year.”

Looking ahead to the preseason and Martin has her focus on building her aerobic tank to be able to impact even more up the field, as well as continuing to improve that contested marking and bodywork which has already come along in leaps and bounds.

Given the expectations around the pick one favourite this year, Martin has remained relaxed and not worried about anything she can’t control.

“I’m pretty calm and chilled person so I don’t let it affect me too much,” Martin said. “It’s always there in the back of my mind, but I always try and let every week play out as it does and let my game do the talking and let it play out from there.

“Hopefully if I get to a club next year I just want to show that I’m committed and a hard worker and I’ll build connection with all the girls and try and make an impact early with them all.”