Martin happy to be injury-free
Jul 14, 2006
After missing most of last season due to a debilitating neck injury, Tony Martin was pleased just to be able to run onto the field for the New Zealand Warriors in round one.
Seventeen games later, the 27-year-old Queenslander is second only to the Bulldogs' Hazem El Masri in NRL point scorers and a mainstay in the centres for the Warriors.
Martin's 150 points has already surpassed the best season tally of the man he replaced as the team's kicker - departed halfback Stacey Jones - with only coach Ivan Cleary ahead of him in club
records.
This after undergoing surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period in 2005.
"At the start of the year I was just happy to be back out there playing," Martin said.
"To be out here (for) round 19 and still haven't missed a game - it's been fantastic.
"Slowly but surely my form's come back and I'm quite happy with how I've been going."
Martin doubts he'll get close to Cleary's club record of 242 points attained in 2002 but hopes to top 200 in the remaining games.
"It's one part of my game that obviously I work on and I'm second on the chart for the NRL at the moment and it's something I'm very proud of."
The Warriors' unlikely push for a top eight spot hit a speed bump last weekend when they lost in extra time to the Bulldogs, ending a four-game winning streak.
The New Zealand team tomorrow night takes on a Parramatta side in a rich vein of form after a poor start to the season and coming off a 46-12 thumping of Newcastle.
"They're going to come over full of confidence but for us it's a four-point game - we have the bye the week after," Martin said.
"So we could put everything into this game knowing that we've got a couple of weeks off after that.
"It's certainly one that we'll be desperate to win."
The Warriors have made one change to what has become a stable line-up, George Gatis replaces Lance Hohaia as interchange hooker.
The Eels have the South Sydney-bound Jeremy Smith replacing Tim Smith after the halfback broke his collarbone against the Knights in a season-ending injury.
The Warriors' coach doesn't think Tim Smith's absence gives the Warriors much of an advantage.
"They've got another Smith coming in - he's done a good job for them," Cleary said.
"They're a good enough team and they've got good enough options so whether (Tim Smith's) there or not they're going to be handful.
"They're certainly playing well (with) a lot of confidence and enthusiasm."
And Cleary promises the Warriors won't be going easy on Parramatta fullback Wade McKinnon, who joins them next year in place of the UK-bound Brent Webb.
"Absolutely not, he's just another guy in a yellow jersey."
Jul 14, 2006
After missing most of last season due to a debilitating neck injury, Tony Martin was pleased just to be able to run onto the field for the New Zealand Warriors in round one.
Seventeen games later, the 27-year-old Queenslander is second only to the Bulldogs' Hazem El Masri in NRL point scorers and a mainstay in the centres for the Warriors.
Martin's 150 points has already surpassed the best season tally of the man he replaced as the team's kicker - departed halfback Stacey Jones - with only coach Ivan Cleary ahead of him in club
records.
This after undergoing surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period in 2005.
"At the start of the year I was just happy to be back out there playing," Martin said.
"To be out here (for) round 19 and still haven't missed a game - it's been fantastic.
"Slowly but surely my form's come back and I'm quite happy with how I've been going."
Martin doubts he'll get close to Cleary's club record of 242 points attained in 2002 but hopes to top 200 in the remaining games.
"It's one part of my game that obviously I work on and I'm second on the chart for the NRL at the moment and it's something I'm very proud of."
The Warriors' unlikely push for a top eight spot hit a speed bump last weekend when they lost in extra time to the Bulldogs, ending a four-game winning streak.
The New Zealand team tomorrow night takes on a Parramatta side in a rich vein of form after a poor start to the season and coming off a 46-12 thumping of Newcastle.
"They're going to come over full of confidence but for us it's a four-point game - we have the bye the week after," Martin said.
"So we could put everything into this game knowing that we've got a couple of weeks off after that.
"It's certainly one that we'll be desperate to win."
The Warriors have made one change to what has become a stable line-up, George Gatis replaces Lance Hohaia as interchange hooker.
The Eels have the South Sydney-bound Jeremy Smith replacing Tim Smith after the halfback broke his collarbone against the Knights in a season-ending injury.
The Warriors' coach doesn't think Tim Smith's absence gives the Warriors much of an advantage.
"They've got another Smith coming in - he's done a good job for them," Cleary said.
"They're a good enough team and they've got good enough options so whether (Tim Smith's) there or not they're going to be handful.
"They're certainly playing well (with) a lot of confidence and enthusiasm."
And Cleary promises the Warriors won't be going easy on Parramatta fullback Wade McKinnon, who joins them next year in place of the UK-bound Brent Webb.
"Absolutely not, he's just another guy in a yellow jersey."
and yeah it is good for Martin and nice to see him playing heaps. Ok, ok not the world's best center but hey no one's perfect.
