Leading goal-kicker returns for Bunbury

Bunbury has received a big boost ahead of Monday’s WA Day Derby against South Bunbury, with premiership full forward Matt Martin returning to the club.

Martin came out of retirement to play for Kojonup in the Lower South West Football League this year, where he has kicked 26 goals in seven games.

But after two straight losses, the Bulldogs have brought the key forward back to the South West Football League, with the reigning premiers in need of some fire power.

The Bulldogs are averaging just 61 points a game this season, the third lowest in the competition behind Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault and the Collie Eagles.

Martin has been the most prominent goalkicker in the competition in the past decade, booting 508 goals in eight years in the competition for Carey Park and Bunbury, the most of any player since 2000.

Bunbury coach Jamie Nani said he was excited to have him back in the team for the derby against South Bunbury.

“As we all know, he takes the best defender all the time,” he said.

“So he is a very handy inclusion.”

Nani said Martin approached the club to come back.

“We had not approached him,” he said.

“But it should rectify the 61 points a game as it is not enough.

“We are getting enough footy in there, just not kicking the goals.”