The Seagulls leadership group member, who will play his 100th senior match this Saturday, has watched the club transform itself from battlers into genuine premiership contenders.

“It’s awesome – it’s not just me that’s been there through the hard times. There’s a lot of blokes that have worked hard and now we’re starting to reap the rewards,” he said.

Martin is younger than most to reach the milestone after making his debut as a 15-year-old.

The 21-year-old racked up eight games in his debut season, dropped just once and contending with a groin injury that kept him out for about a month in 2011.

Since then, solid form and a good run with injuries has seen him steadily accumulate the games as the former wingman built up a reputation as a reliable onballer.

His three consecutive club best and fairest awards – won among a high-calibre list featuring former AFL- and VFL-listed players – is testament to his value for the Seagulls. Now, Martin is hoping team success will follow after a promising 4-1 start.

Port Fairy coach Brett Evans lauded Martin’s ability to extricate the ball from contested situations and dish it out to his teammates.

“When the footy is there in that contest, we can always rely on him,” Evans said. “His teammates are always picking him up off the bottom of the pack.”

Evans said the Seagulls would be striving for a win in the popular clubman’s milestone match, but know they will have their work cut out for them against North Warrnambool Eagles.