OVERVIEW

Alex Martini is a ball winning 181cm midfielder/defender who had an impressive year with the South Australian Under 18s side at the Naitonal Championships. Having played mostly SANFL League football for Glenelg this year as a rebounding defender, Martini showed a unique ability to read the play, take on the opposition and rebound the ball. Last year as his school's football captain - Sacred Heart College - Martini played as the pivotal onball general in their run to the State Championship with his ability to win the hard ball. He has shown he can play consistently in either role and offers good versatility for AFL recruiters.

STRENGTHS

• Reading the play
• Winning the hard ball
• Endurance
• Kicking in space

As Martini demonstrated in the AFL Grand Final Day All-Stars Under 18 match, he is able to read the play and rebound really well off half back, which he did numerous times. Martini puts his head over the ball and emerges from the pack. He is clever off half-back and can set the game up through a switch in play or going long down the wing. Martini also showed  some great running jump numbers on either leg (84 and 85cm) at the National Combine he can play on the taller forwards and still impact.

At the National Combine Martini recorded an outstanding 21.8 on the Yo-Yo test to put him third overall of the National Combine invites, demonstrating his hard running. Martini is a hard worker and no doubt when given an inside role he has no trouble running all day and wearing his opponents out. Martini also recorded a very impressive 74.5 per cent kicking efficiency in the SANFL League, largely due to hit ability to move well off half-back and hit-up targets short or long down the wing.

IMPROVEMENTS

• Kicking under pressure
• Impact without the ball

As a rebounding defender, sometimes Martini can be found just getting rid of it, when under pressure and this can result in some lower kicking efficiency. But when Martini takes them on and can show his poise he is especially dangerous. It might be a case of building further confidence so he can take on the opposition more often and get free to use his slick kicking skills to advantage. In his two reserves games playing midfield his efficiency dropped to 59 per cent and recorded just 40 per cent in his one Under 18s game.

As a defender you can’t always be getting the ball, so Martini needs to continue to work on the number of ways to impact the game such as shepherds, blocks and tackles. He showed improvement in this area in his last SANFL League game for the year, recording a mammoth 12 tackles.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Late/Rookie

SUMMARY

Alex Martini is a good sized mid/defender with, who can use his endurance, judgement of the play and toughness to provide real drive for his team. He is a reliable kick who just needs to work on his disposal under pressure, as well as building some of his defensive attributes. With leadership qualities and a strong base of SANFL league and SA State U18s games under his belt this season, Martini would be ready to go next year for an AFL club.