New recruit Stefan Martin has a clear picture of what he wants to achieve at the Western Bulldogs.

The soon-to-be 34-year-old joined the Bulldogs in a trade on Tuesday from the Brisbane Lions, with 190 AFL games across 13 seasons at the top level under his belt.

Adding an experienced ruckman in the off-season had been a focus for the club.

And for Martin, that role appears a perfect fit.

“In a way, it’s going to be really reinvigorating to have this new challenge because I’ve got a whole new footy club to try to prove my worth to and repay the investment in,” Martin told SEN 1116 today.

“Coupled with my body coming good it’s just a perfect new start for me.

“I feel really good – I’ve said it all along, but I don’t feel like I’m (almost) 34.”

Martin’s 2020 campaign was interrupted by injury – he played just eight games, however he did feature in their two finals.

But over the five seasons prior to that, he played 108 of a possible 112 games.

“I would fully hope and plan to play 22 games,” Martin said, of his immediate ambitions for 2021

“It’ll be great to have a full pre-season because I didn’t get that last year and I think that will set me up for the resilience you need for 22 games.”

He’s already been exchanging messages with his new teammates, including emerging ruckman Tim English.

Martin is confident he has plenty to add on the field, but can also contribute strongly to the development of English and Jordon Sweet.

“It’s a good dynamic – (the role has) been described as two-pronged, the on-field and the off-field,” he said.

“(Tim’s) the ruck of the future but I also think he’s the ruck of the present and I don’t want to stifle his development at all, I want to do the exact opposite.

“I’m not coming to suppress his development at all, but I do have a lot to offer on-field I think, and that’s equally important to me.

“Over the last 13 years I’ve learned a tonne about what it takes to be a ruckman, the types of training habits you need to have and that sort of thing. I’d love to talk with Tim and Jordon Sweet about that.”

“Both elements are really critical. I don’t just want to come there and be a coach, I’m there to do a job on-field as well. But to have Tim come out a better player would be absolutely core to that goal.”