It was a breakout season for Rhyse Martin last year – he made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs, playing 14 games for them before finishing his regular season with both a state and national premiership.
After celebrating the defeat of the Redcliffe Dolphins on NRL grand final day, he rounded out his official rugby league duties for 2018 by once again representing the PNG Kumuls; scoring a try in their entertaining loss to the Australian PM XIII side in the match played at Port Moresby in October.
While past season was an absolute whirlwind for Martin; his success has been a long time in the making.
The Proserpine Brahmans junior has worked hard for many seasons to achieve a dream which was punctuated by his inclusion in this past weekend’s 2019 Queensland Emerging Origin squad.
After graduating from Townsville’s Kirwan State High School, he moved to Sydney where he played for the Under 20s Roosters side, a team he would also go on to captain.
In his time with the club, he also made his debut in a Maroon-coloured jersey when he was selected for the Queensland Under 20 side alongside fellow 2019 Emerging Origin squad member and Kumul Nene Macdonald.
However, it was his move back to North Queensland to join the newly-formed Intrust Super Cup side the Townsville Blackhawks that helped spark the next stage of his career.
He credits his time playing in the same competition as his older brother Tyson (who played second row for Mackay Cutters) and under the guidance of coach Kristian Woolf as helping him enjoy his footy again.
It definitely showed on the field and he was quickly signed up by the Canterbury Bulldogs after a stellar 2016 season saw him named the Intrust Super Cup’s Backrower of the Year award winner.
“Woolfy has taught me to be more honest with myself … especially away from the field, with my diet and game preparation,” Martin said at the time of his signing.
“His plan was always to help me get back into the NRL and he has certainly been a big part of my achieving that goal.”
QRL Media caught up with Martin during Emerging Origin camp to find out more about the season that was, his progression up the ranks, his representative goals and also – the secrets to his successful goal kicking!
Watch the video below:
Martin kicks ahead
(produced by QRL Media - Bill Scurfield)
