Will Martyn is the ultimate professional.

In fact, Richmond’s National Recruiting Manager Matthew Clarke says he’s “one of the more professional kids you’ll ever come across”.

Martyn, taken by the Tigers with pick 44 in the 2019 national draft, leaves no stone unturned in his rehab, recovery and diet.

“It is something I really pride myself on, it’s more a mental state,” Martyn said.

“It’s things that I have to tick off and I think most footballers should tick them off…So, I do see it as very important.” 

As this year’s captain of the Brisbane Lions Academy, Martyn hopes his leadership skills will continue to flourish at Tigerland.

“They’re definitely something I want to bring and obviously develop…not only am I going to bring them, but I’m hopefully going to grow them as well,” he said.

With that ethos, it comes as no surprise that Martyn has always looked up to Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin.

“If I get the chance, I’d love to play alongside Trent. He’s someone that I’ve always idolised,” Martyn said.

“My dad and I used to watch heaps of his football and we just love the way he plays.” 

Another Tiger that Martyn shares some similarities with is superstar midfielder Dustin Martin.

While the two already share the same surname, albeit spelt slightly differently, Martyn will be wearing guernsey No. 36 in 2020, the same number Martin first wore as a Tiger.

The 18-year-old said it was “pretty nice” to be following in Martin’s footsteps.

Alongside his fierce competitiveness, hard-running Martyn boasts clean hands and neat foot skills.

In his five games for the Lions in the NAB League, he averaged 29 possessions, nine contested possessions, four clearances, five tackles and five inside-50s per game.

Martyn can’t wait to continue his football journey with fellow draftee and Lions Academy teammate, Noah Cumberland.

“We’ve played together since we were 12, and this year at the Lions Academy, so we’ve had a bit of time to bond together,” he said.

“I know him quite well….we enjoy each other’s company.”

The duo both played in the Lions’ premiership-winning NEAFL side, something Martyn believes will pay dividends as they settle into AFL level.

“I think it helps a lot playing alongside experienced footballers. Most 18-year-olds play against 18-year-olds, and Noah and I had the opportunity to play against grown men, grown footballers, so I think it’s going to help us quite a bit,” he said.