Broncos’ Martin soaks up NRL return
Murray Wenzel |
A grateful Te Maire Martin will never take playing in the NRL for granted after excelling for Brisbane in his comeback more than 1000 days after his last game.
Martin, five-eighth for North Queensland in the 2017 grand final, was abruptly forced out of the game in 2019 when recurring headaches were identified as a bleed on the brain.
Playing park footy back in New Zealand, Martin took the chance to link with the Broncos and, thanks to injuries and the early release of fullback Jamayne Isaako, was suddenly back in the big time against Canterbury on Friday night.
The 26-year-old excelled at fullback at Suncorp Stadium, defusing bombs and showing flair with ball in hand, attacking the line and twice holding up defenders to save tries.
“When I went home I was doing a lot of stuff by myself, pig hunting and talking to my dogs, that’s all I could talk to,” he said.
“So being around the boys most days, it’s pretty cool and then coming back from being a few points down to win, in front of a home crowd in Suncorp.
“All that stuff you kind of take for granted until it’s gone.
“I was just soaking it all in, being in the sheds afterwards, singing the team song.
“You don’t know when it’s going to be your last one and if anyone knows how fast it can be taken away from you it’s me.”
Coach Kevin Walters admitted Martin had shown everything a good half should, but that filling the void at fullback and a desire for stability would likely see him stay in the No.1 jumper.
“We were desperate for a fullback; there was a bit of talk about moving Selwyn Cobbo,” he said.
“Right now (Cobbo’s) best position is on that right wing, so we had to find someone else.
“We’re not moving them on purpose … I understand the better teams, the great teams have that consistency, but that’s been taken away from us (by injury and illness).
“(Martin was) very safe, very organised, looked dangerous and handled the high balls.
“It was a tremendous performance from him, coming from a long way back.”
AAP
