Martin a worthy winnerBy ADEM SARICAOGLU
9th October 2012 11:12:48 AM
VICTORIAN soccer veteran Steve Martin has had a significant impact in his short time at Sunshine George Cross.
The former Victorian Premier League defender won the Georgies’ recent best-and-fairest award after taking over as captain halfway through the year.
Martin moved to the Georgies from the Whittlesea Zebras this season and said he has enjoyed every minute despite the club’s disappointing results on the pitch.
“It’s exciting because I know how big the club was back in the national league days,” Martin said.
“Even walking into the clubrooms now, they’ve got a big honour board and if you look at the players that have been best-and-fairests and who’s captained the club, it’s a great honour.
“It’s something I probably didn’t think was going to be a reality at the start of the season.”
Coach Tony Ciantar described Martin as a “gentleman on and off the park” and a “true warrior”.
“Stevie got off to a bit of a slow start up until round three or four, and then as he got fitter the true Stevie Martin kicked in,” Ciantar said.
“Stevie’s a huge player to have around the club.
“His experience lifts the boys (as does) his ability to put his body on the line.”
Martin spent a season with the Green Gully Cavaliers 11 years ago but has moved around numerous clubs since.
However, returning to the western suburbs has made life easier for the 31-year-old Bendigo “country boy”.
Martin lives and works in Melbourne but still frequents his hometown on a near-weekly basis, where many of his family and friends, including his girlfriend, still live.
He says that was one of the main reasons he chose to sign with the Georgies.
“It worked out well from a personal point of view, and that was something I considered when I was signing to go to George Cross,” Martin said.
“Not only for the people at the club but it was convenient for myself, so I enjoyed being back.”
Martin expects to remain at Sunshine George Cross for 2013, and said he is looking forward to continuing his work with its younger players as they push to get back into the VPL.