GOLD Coast youngster Jack Martin is going to be a special player, according to Hawthorn premiership star Shaun Burgoyne.
Martin was one of the stand-outs in the AFL Indigenous All Stars team that lost to West Coast by eight points on Friday night at Medibank Stadium in Perth.
The youngster was electric up forward, particularly in the first half, and Burgoyne said he could see why the 20-year-old is so highly regarded.
"He showed some really good signs out there," Burgoyne said.
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"There's some big wraps on Jack and you can see why Gold Coast were so keen to wrap him up for a few years and he looks as though he's going to be a special player.
"For a young player, he has some special attributes. He's quite mature and composed and he has a lot of upside, considering he's 20.
"So he's going to have a long career."
It was high praise from Burgoyne who was awarded the Polly Farmer Medal as best on ground in the exhibition match.
The three-time premiership player was also impressed by the performance of his Hawthorn teammate Bradley Hill, who showed a lot of class through the midfield.
"I am really happy that Hawthorn have locked him away for a few more years," Burgoyne said.
"His game seems to get better every year.
"We see what he can do with the ball. It's the end of his third year, coming into his fourth year.
"Just think about where he's going to be in another couple of years when he gets a couple more pre-seasons under his belt."
The All Stars captain said while he was disappointed to lose the match against West Coast he was rapt with how the players had approached the game and the Indigenous camp throughout the week.
Burgoyne said the concept had a bright future.
"Everyone holds this game in high regard," Burgoyne said.
"Unfortunately there were a few players who had injuries. It's been well documented. Chad Wingard had surgery a few weeks ago and Buddy Franklin has a bit of a sore knee at the moment that requires ongoing management. The other players all have injuries, it's just one of those things this year.
"If it comes around in two years time hopefully players that aren't injured at the moment can play because it's a great concept.
"I had a number of text messages from those players who weren't playing and they were all disappointed that they were injured and couldn't play. So, the support is definitely there."
