Throughout September, lions.com.au will be reviewing the seasons of all members of our current playing group. Today we look at Stef Martin's consistent year.

#12 - Stef Martin

2018 was the year Stefan Martin defied the belief that as you get older, performances on field suffer.

Martin, at 31 years of age, had arguably his best season to date in his eleventh year as an AFL player.

The powerful ruckman played all 22 games and had career-best statistics in hit-outs (34), hit-outs to advantage (11) and disposals (19) per game.

He started the year strongly with an unbelievable individual effort in Round 3’s close loss to Port Adelaide. That afternoon Martin had 49 hit-outs, 30 disposals, nine inside 50s, seven marks and seven tackles. He was awarded nine of a maximum of 10 Coaches Votes for his contribution.

Martin’s most special game for the season was Round 15’s win over Fremantle. In his 150th AFL game, a feat he never imagined he would achieve, he had 46 hit-outs and 19 disposals.

As one of the members of the Lions’ leadership group, Martin is admired by his peers for his dedication in the gym and overall professionalism around the Club.

At this year's Club Champion, Martin finished in third place for the Merrett-Murray Medal and in doing so, received the Alastair Lynch trophy.

Coaches Comment - Ben Hudson, Ruck and Midfield Assistant Coach

"Another strong performing season from Stef where he managed to play all 22 games and continued to grow his leadership skills on field. He took on the challenge at the start of the season to remain our number one ruckman with the both Archie & Oscar vying strongly for the role. He came back in the pre-season the fittest he has ever been and this transferred into his season with the ability to be able to work his opponents over all around the ground."

Senior matches: 22