Martin, an elite junior basketballer before joining the Demons, said the ground lends itself to players who have played both sports.
“I like the ground. It’s a bit smaller and it’s indoors and the conditions don’t affect games too much, which I like, personally,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
Unfortunately, Melbourne’s recent history at Etihad Stadium is poor.
Its most recent win at the ground was round 19, 2007 against Western Bulldogs.
And the last time the Demons won a pre-season match at Etihad Stadium was a quarter-final clash against the Brisbane Lions in 2006.
This history, however, does not weigh on Martin’s mind.
“We’re looking forward to taking on the Pies. It’s obviously a big challenge and it’s a good part of our learning curve for this year.
“We’re all looking forward to the game on Saturday night.”
The forward/ruckman spent further time in attack last round, and he said the combination of three talls, along with Mitch Clark and Jack Watts, gives Melbourne a new look inside 50.
“We’ve been training all pre-season, and there is some real synergy between us,” he said.
“It’s good to have big targets down there, so that we can make a contest.
“[Our job is to] bring the ball down to the front. The small guys can do their job and try to kick some goals, and hold the ball in there.”
In terms of his personal goals for the rest of the NAB Cup, Martin said building his fitness base and touch were at the forefront.
“You don’t need to be hitting your straps in NAB [Cup round] one,” he said.
“You want to build up to round one - that’s the main goal. It’s realistic to think that at this time of the year, you’re building momentum and that’s the way I’m looking at it at the moment.”
