STEFAN Martin has not had a sniff of finals in his 12-year career and says breaking the drought with Brisbane would be even more "sweet" after so many tough times.
The 32-year-old ruckman has played 170 games all up, comprised of five largely-barren seasons with Melbourne and now 113 games in his seventh year for the Lions.
In that time only the 2013 Brisbane team – an injury-interrupted five-game season for Martin – escaped the bottom five on the ladder with a 10-win campaign.
LIONS READY TO ROAR BACK Full preview of St Kilda v Brisbane
Martin has been part of three wooden spoon 'winning' teams, also.
However, with a 7-5 win-loss record entering Saturday's game against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, Brisbane is currently in the top eight and playing in September is again a possibility.
"I would absolutely love to be around this club when and if we play finals," Martin said on Tuesday morning.
"I've been nowhere near it for my 12 years so far.
"Going through the hard times with this club and being in it with fans, staff and players that have been around, it'd be one of the most meaningful things I could do in my life if I was around here to play finals.
"It would make it all the more sweet to be around."
Martin is in the final year of his contract but is defiant he has good footy ahead of him.
With Oscar McInerney and Archie Smith as sidekicks, Martin has had yet another strong year, averaging 15 disposals to go alongside 25 hit-outs per game.
He said he wants to continue with the Lions in 2020 and beyond, but understands the club pushing contract talks back until later in the season.
The lure of success after years of disappointment is putting retirement on the back burner. Picture: AFL Photos
In the meantime, Martin says it's more important for Brisbane to reverse its form after a horror pre-bye loss to Carlton.
He said the players "stewed" on the performance over the break.
"Usually you can turn it around and start thinking about your next week and next ‘oppo’ and sink your teeth into that … you kind of stew in your own head a bit.
"We're all probably looking for a chance to redeem ourselves from that performance."
