Jim Martin (Australian footballer)

Jim "Bull" Martin (20 August 1884 – 12 October 1940) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton, Essendon and Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL).^[2]

Jim Martin
Cigarette card of Martin in 1911
Personal information
Full name	James Martin
Date of birth	(1884-08-20)20 August 1884
Place of birth	Carlton, Victoria
Date of death	12 October 1940(1940-10-12) (aged 56)
Place of death	Melbourne, Victoria
Original team(s)	Devenish,[1] Northcote
Height	173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Weight	85 kg (187 lb)
Position(s)	Forward pocket
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1902	Carlton	006 0(2)
1907–13	Essendon	095 (71)
1913–14	Fitzroy	027 (16)
Total		128 (89)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1914.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Football

Martin played mostly as a forward, often in the pocket. He only made six appearances for Carlton in his debut season and the following year switched to Northcote.

A strongly built and physical player, Martin returned to the league in 1907, with Essendon, playing there for the next seven years. Despite only kicking 16 goals in 1907, it was enough to top the goal-kicking at Essendon. He played in Essendon's losing 1908 Grand Final side.

He missed out on their 1911 premiership when he received a twelve-week suspension mid-season for striking George Holden of Fitzroy. Police later charged Martin with assault, making him the first VFL player to appear before the courts over an on-field incident.

After playing in Esendon's 1912 premiership team he crossed to Fitzroy's during the 1913 season and participated in another premiership. This made him the first person in VFL history to play in consecutive premierships at two clubs, a feat later equaled by only Tom Fitzmaurice.

Death

Jim Martin died in Royal Melbourne Hospital in 1940.^[3]