IT WAS a move designed to bring one of Gold Coast's most gifted players into the action, and Jack Martin's switch to the backline has shown early signs of success.
Like many of his teammates, Martin was excellent in the unbeaten first three weeks, kicking nine goals and proving a perfect foil for spearhead Tom Lynch.
But as the Suns began to lose, the young West Australian drifted out of games and began to lose touch in the forward line.
So when Adam Saad left with a hamstring injury late in the third quarter against GWS two weeks ago, coach Rodney Eade shifted Martin to half-back.
He wanted to get the 21-year-old more involved.
Eade persisted with him there against Adelaide last weekend, and Martin – playing primarily as a loose man - responded with 21 disposals and seven marks.
"My last couple of weeks have been down and I put my hand up and said I haven't been playing good footy," Martin said.
"To go down the backline has freed me up a bit and 'Rocket' (Eade) has had the confidence in me to keep playing me.
"I'm enjoying the role down there."
Martin played much of his junior career in the backline, so isn't totally foreign to the role.
With Saad still a few weeks from returning, it might be something opponents see more of in coming weeks, starting with West Coast in Perth on Sunday.
Martin said the return of skipper Gary Ablett, vice-captain Steven May, along with prolific ball-winner Aaron Hall would make a big difference against the Eagles.
"It does boost the confidence having Gary out there," he said.
"Az (Hall) has been in terrific form, and Steven's a massive inclusion, he's our vice-captain, one of our leaders.
"To have your skipper out there with you playing each week, just the presence of him, adds a lot of belief and confidence to the team."
