Martin was picked for the Blues, the second NSW side, and they did themselves proud with a number of strong performances against other states’ first-choice sides.

The title was taken out by the main NSW team, who incredibly put away 62 goals across the course of the championships and conceded just three, one of which came against the Blues.

“They did really well, there were 12 teams in all, and to finish where they did was worth being pretty pleased about,” Lachlan’s father Brad Martin said.

“They were pretty pleased with their efforts and they deserved to be after the way they played.

“There were a few games where they struggled against the number one sides from the bigger states, but in general they competed strongly and had some good wins.”

A draw with the ACT was one match where the Blues missed a trick having gone in as favourites, but after earning a gutsy draw with Western Australia 1 and defeating Western Australia 2 they had made up for it.

Another win over Queensland 2, and victories over Northern Territory and Tasmania were further proof of the quality of their side.

The big test came against NSW 1, and true to form the eventual champions made life difficult for the Blues but they did not roll over without a fight.

“The Blues ended up losing 7-1 and NSW 1 were just a class above, they were a fantastic side,” Brad Martin explained.

“But, the boys actually dug in there and held their own for a long time, it took about 20 minutes before they conceded the first goal, but the opposition were just a bit too big, they were fitter and faster.

“After that they got a draw with Victoria 2 and went down against Victoria 1. They were very good across their 11 games.”

For Lachlan Martin, he was given the chance to keep goals for one half in each game, and let in seven during the tournament, an exceptional return in a team which conceded that amount in one match.

Even with the championships now out of the way, it isn’t the end for the teenager who now faces a big assignment next month on the other side of the country.

“He’s got the Centre of Development program for a while with Hockey NSW that involves weekly coaching, that starts again in a couple of weeks,” Brad Martin said.

“Then he goes to a tournament in Western Australia with the NSW Bushrangers invitational side, he’s one of two goalkeepers in the squad, but it is an under 16s team so it is a big ask and a massive step up.”