THE STARS aligned for Jack Martin on the weekend.

The West Australian native, and proud Yawuru man, found himself featuring for Carlton back at Optus Stadium against Fremantle, which just so happened to coincide with the final day of NAIDOC Week.

The theme of NAIDOC Week in 2023 was ‘For Our Elders’, celebrating the contribution which past generations have made - and continued to make - on society today.

The Blues and Dockers partook in a gift exchange prior to the game, with Carlton giving the hosts a cheeseboard designed by defender Jordan Boyd as part of the David Parkin Scholarship Program. It was just one of a number of ways in which the wider club marked the special week, with staff also undergoing education sessions as well as a walk in surrounding Fitzroy throughout the week.

The aftermath of Sunday’s game also saw Martin surprise a Blue in the crowd with a 2023 Indigenous guernsey, wanting to give back to the WA faithful that have always made the team feel right at home.

In Martin’s case, the ability to be back in his home state during a special week on the calendar didn’t go unnoticed.

Particularly given the extra presence of family that he had in the Optus Stadium crowd, having made the trek from Broome to watch Martin and the Blues record their third straight victory.

“To be able to recognise what those have done before us in setting the path, it’s good to celebrate Indigenous people and Indigenous culture,” Martin said post-match.

“A few family members from Broome came down. It’s always good to see your countrymen, to see some familiar faces.”

For someone who has missed a fair chunk of footy in recent years, Martin - who’s hopeful those niggling injuries are a thing of the past - is just relishing being back out there again.

Whether that’s crashing into bodies to bring his teammates into the game, assisting or kicking goals himself, or singing the song after the game, Martin is enjoying every second . . . particularly in the presence of family. 

Even if baby Rosie has been banned from joining the winner’s circle — but not without everyone’s best attempts.

“Rosie is banned from the song, because she cracks it every time. She’ll be able to get back in there when she’s a bit older!

“To have Rosie and Britt in the changerooms and celebrate these wins with them, it’s always nice.”