WESTERN Bulldogs ruckman Stefan Martin has revealed his new side had been trying to recruit him for several years before finally snaring their man.<\/p>\n
After spending eight years at Brisbane, Martin opted to take up a new opportunity with the Dogs and return to Melbourne.<\/p>\n
Justin Leppitsch, who used to coach him at Brisbane, revealed on SEN\u2019s Crunch Time that Western Bulldogs had been trying to lure him for a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Western Bulldogs have been trying to (recruit) him for about five years way back to when I was coaching Brisbane,\u201d Leppitsch said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey eventually landed their man at 34, what an influence he had. He allowed Tim English to provide other strength for the side to go forward and mark the footy.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe even looked a lot more comfortable of a footballer because of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin was impressive in last Friday night\u2019s 16-point win over Collingwood, combining with English to form a formidable ruck partnership.<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old said he was humbled that the Dogs had been tracking him for multiple years at Brisbane before the deal happened.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s true,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s really nice for me to know that the club has liked the way (I play) and has done so for several years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was looking to get home a while ago and had some personal circumstances that meant I wanted to get back.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a real thing, but I love the way my career has panned out and loved my eight years at the Lions and never would want to take that back.\u201d<\/p>\n
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