Martinson thriving ahead of Reserves finals

Chayse Martinson is another successful product of the South West Talent Academy who is now flourishing playing senior football with Swan Districts as he looks forward to a finals campaign with the reserves.

Martinson had an impressive junior career including being named the MVP of Western Australia’s State 16s team back in 2022 before then having a first taste of colts football that year at Swan Districts.

He then had two full years in the colts which included him having moved up to Perth in 2024 with his time there finishing with last year’s grand final appearance against Claremont at Optus Stadium.

Martinson has now moved into the senior program as of 2025 and has continued to improve as the season has gone on in the reserves to the point now where there’s every reason to expect league football is on the horizon in 2026.

Before that, though, Martinson is going to be a key part of the finals push for the reserves that begins this Sunday against South Fremantle in the qualifying final at East Fremantle’s The Good Grocer Park.

While longer term Martinson’s goals are for that league debut in 2026, he has enjoyed his first taste of senior football and is looking forward to the finals ahead with Swans guaranteed of at least two finals after finishing in third place.

“My footy goals, is to win a premiership this year, and to crack the league side next year,” Martinson said.

“I’ve loved my first year in the seniors program. I can’t wait for first weekend of finals against South Freo will be a good hit out against em they got us last time so hoping to get ’em back this round coming. Always look forward to this time of the year.”

Martinson didn’t have the start to the year he hoped following an interrupted pre-season and then an early ankle injury, but he’s since picked things up in the reserves impressively.

He has ended up averaging 21 possessions in his 12 appearances while also kicking nine goals including four goals against Perth back in Round 15, and then 25 touches and a goal last Saturday in Mandurah against Peel Thunder.

“I’ve been reasonably happy with the progression to senior level coming from colts,” he said.

“Bit disappointed missing most of pre-season with work and injury and first five games of the year with an ankle injury held me back early, so still have a long way to go a lot more learning to be done, and a full preseason will help even more.”

Martinson finished his career in the colts with Swan Districts last year splitting his time between the midfield and forward, ending up averaging 17.9 possessions and kicking 16 goals.

He has mostly played midfield in the reserves this season, but has also had stints in the forward-line and he is happy to be able to play multiple roles now as his senior career begins to take off.

“I’ve always been a midfielder from growing up at a young age and first seniors down in SWFL playing mid/forward role, but mainly a midfielder,” Martinson said.

“As of this year and last year taken on the forward role more and more trying to be able to play two positions is very important to be diverse on the field, especially if I want to progress with my footy I need to learn to play both positions as well as having a lot of good midfielders in the senior program.”

Once Martinson graduated from Bunbury Senior High School at the end of 2023, he made the move to Perth and while it hasn’t always been an easy adjustment, he’s now starting to feel at home.

He likes the current living arrangement he’s in with Cody Ryan and Lucas Andrews, and is also enjoying the way things are progressing with his apprenticeship that is including a TAFE course.

“The move to Perth happened 2023 in November straight out of high school at 17, which was hard at first and hard at times,” Martinson said.

“Living in four places across 12 months wasn’t easy but now having a rental with Cody and Lucas, is making it enjoyable and few mates always makes it fun.

“I’ve started to have found my feet working full time apprenticeship with a good crew, having a routine from day to day has helped a lot.

“Currently a first year apprentice as a Cable Jointer with Western Power, working in the electrical industry has always been an interest to me and at the moment can see myself following that pathway.”