THREE coffees at breakfast couldn't ease Carlton recruit Jack Martin's nerves before he finally got the news that had been almost a year in the making.
The ex-Gold Coast midfielder/forward was granted his wish to play for the Blues, with the phone call coming while he was at breakfast in Melbourne with his new teammates.
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"We were out eating brekkie but I didn't eat much, just a piece of toast as I was pretty nervous. I had three coffees so I maxed out for the day," Martin said on Friday at Blues headquarters.
The clubs failed to do a deal during the NAB AFL Trade Period, and then the Suns threatened to use their first pre-season draft pick to keep Martin until they gave up that selection by filling their list quota at the national draft on Thursday night.
"There's a sense of excitement, happiness, and relief at the same time as it's been a long time coming," Martin said.
"I think I'm ready - I want to come to Melbourne and prove myself and I'm ready for the challenges ahead.
"I've committed for five years and I'm going to give everything to the Carlton football club."
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Martin felt after seven years with the Suns, having made his debut in 2014, it was time for a change to help him reach his potential.
He was keen on being traded at the end of 2018 before serving out the final year of his contract and always felt Carlton would be the right fit.
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The West Australian said he had history with several of his new Blues teammates including co-captain Patrick Cripps, which would help the move south.
"Playing with guys I've played with in the past makes the transition a lot easier," the 24-year-old said.
"I've played with Crippa, and 'Samo' (Petrevski-Seton) and Mitch McGovern so that's going to make the transition easier."
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Martin said playing alongside Eddie Betts, who has rejoined Carlton after five years with Adelaide, was a dream come true.
"The Eddie factor was pretty massive - I can't wait," he said.
"To play with an Indigenous great ... we've been in contact the last couple of weeks so I can't wait to run out there."
