Sam Martyn Time Trial

Rookie Sam sets cracking time trial pace before skipper pounces

It was tops off for the Crows training at Max Basheer Reserve during the punishing five-minute run in 42 degree heat. Picture: Ray Titus

AFL football is just weeks away and the Adelaide Crows are getting well and truly warmed up.

Matching captain Nathan van Berlo's endurance is one thing. Beating it is another.

This is exactly what virtual unknown Sam Martyn realised at Adelaide training yesterday after going close to pipping the newly installed Crows captain in a five-minute time trial at Max Basheer Reserve.

There's a very good reason why the exercise previously known as the "Goodwin Run" has now been dubbed the "van Berlo Run" - but the 18-year-old Crows rookie made a valiant attempt to dethrone his skipper in the searing heat.

After leading van Berlo for most of the gruelling test, Martyn - 186cm and 73kg - was overhauled by his senior teammate, who continues to lead by example since gaining the ultimate approval from the Crows squad last year.

"He's always been a terrific runner, Sam - he did athletics as a kid so that's where he gets that (aerobic capacity) from," Crows operations manager Phil Harper said. "He went off a little bit early because of that as he ran himself into the ground. At the end of training, as they were doing some more (running), he was starting to get a bit dizzy so he went off."

Martyn, a NSW scholarship graduate, was quickly given the all-clear, with a physical setback the last thing the boy from Merimbula needs in his quest to be a regular SANFL league player, with Woodville-West Torrens, this season.

"I would think he will be a little bit off that at the moment," Harper said when asked if Martyn was a smoky to play in the NAB Cup, starting on February 11.

"He's certainly got the fitness to be able to do it, but his big test will be to try and play league footy for the Eagles this year. But we'll certainly have a look at him in the internal trials."

The Crows will hold their first internal trial at Max Basheer Reserve, from 9am, on Thursday. Rather than play a full-scale match, the hierarchy at West Lakes has settled on a 2 x 15 minute game.

"It was going to be a bit more full-on, but they just think to go straight into four full quarters might be too much at this stage," Harper said.

"They haven't selected the sides yet, but I would expect that they would be two even teams (rather than probables versus possibles)."

Almost every player on Adelaide's list is expected to be handed some game time with Bernie Vince (knee), Chris Schmidt (knee), Aidan Reily (groin), David Mackay (groin), James Craig (hamstring) and Jarryd Lyons (quad) those to be rested.

Midfield stars Vince and Mackay - who underwent surgery in the off-season - are targeting a return in the second or third week of pre-season.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/rookie-sam-sets-cracking-time-trial-pace-before-skipper-pounces/story-e6frecj3-1225997665802

How many first year players have done this?

He might be a chance for round 1 in the seniors as he seems to be having a good preseason, It Just depends on his football ability