Round 2 VAFA Men’s Rising Star: Bennett Martin

The VAFA congratulates Bennett Martin from St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, who has been nominated as the Round 2 VAFA Men’s Rising Star.

The 19 year old has impressed in the opening two rounds of the season in Premier C Men’s, averaging 31.5 disposals, 10.5 contested possessions, 9.5 intercept possessions and 143 Premier Data ranking points.

What the club said:

Bennett Martin, or “Moose” as his teammates know him, isn’t a star on the rise, he’s just a star. After crossing to the Tigers as a 15-year-old, he made an immediate impression on everyone, so much so he made his senior debut just two years later as a 17-year-old, playing two games in Premier B in 2024, while also being named among the best players seven times in 10 games in the Under 19 Premier competition.

In 2025, Bennett spent much of the year with the Sandringham Dragons, where he was so impactful he was named vice-captain of the Coates League outfit, while keeping strong ties with the Tigers and playing at every opportunity. He added another two senior VAFA games to his Tiger tally, impressing everyone with his strong commitment to the club. In 2026 he’s continued to make his presence felt  and after completing a strong pre-season and stands out as a composed, skilful, damaging force across half-back and through the midfield for the senior team, one of the first players picked, an incredibly popular teammate and one of the most exciting building blocks in the Tigers’ pursuit of glory.

Coach Quote:

“Bennett has a fantastic combination of speed, skill, and toughness, and is perfectly suited to the modern game of footy. His performances to start the season have been outstanding, providing a real spark and being a key driver in the way we want to play as a team. He is a great person who loves footy and has a unique desire to improve, and we can’t wait to see what he can achieve in 2026 and beyond.” – Tom Tyquin