BIO

Martin Pike was recruited by Norwood from the Ingle Farm Football Club. In 1989, he played 18 games for Norwood's Under 17 premiership team, as well as a handful of matches for the Under 19's. The following season he played 20 games for the Reserves.
 
Pike made his SANFL debut in 1991, and played 22 games for the season. He had an impressive start to his senior career and was recognized with a meritorious performance award, as well as being named the club's best first year player. He added another 13 League games in 1992.
 
Selected by Melbourne with pick nine in the 1992 AFL Draft, Pike made his AFL debut in 1993, playing eight games in first season and 16 the following year. At the end of 1994, he was traded to Fitzroy despite having had a solid year for the Demons.
 
He quickly  developed into one of Fitzroy's better and more consistent players. Hard working, tough and talented, Pike had an outstanding season for Fitzroy in 1996. Playing as a half-back, he made 22 senior appearances and won the club's best and fairest award, in its final year before merging with Brisbane.

Somewhat surprisingly overlooked by Brisbane as one of its eight Fitzroy players for the new combined club, Pike moved to North Melbourne in 1997.
 
His career continued to blossom, and he was included in South Australia's State of Origin team in 1998. Later that year, Pike played in North Melbourne's losing Grand Final against Adelaide, but was a member of the team that defeated Carlton in the 1999 premiership decider.
 
He made 81 appearances for North Melbourne as a wing/half back, before being delisted by the Kangaroos and moving to Brisbane in 2001. Pike then became an important  member of the 2001, 2002 and 2003 Brisbane Lions premiership teams. In 2004 he played in his sixth AFL grand final when Brisbane was defeated by Port Adelaide.
 
While Pikey may have suffered from the occasional off-field indiscretion during his career, he will be remembered as a natural and uncompromising footballer, who was at his best on the big stage.
 
Martin Pike retired from AFL football late in the 2005 season, after playing 247 games with four clubs.
 
During his career Pike was coached by the likes of Neil Craig, Bernie Quinlan, Michael Nunan, Neil Balme, Denis Pagan and Leigh Matthews.

R Cialini April 2015