Ever since he started his grade career in Group Seven, Martin has been an integral part of the Kiama Showground-based club and a large part of this recent success.

So when the hooker leads his side onto the field at the castle on Sunday, it'll be a special occasion for him and the club.

"I feel privileged to be able to chalk up 100 first grade games for my junior club," Martin said.

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"Everyone at the club is like my family, so I'm honoured to be able to do it with them."

Martin first joined the Knights as a five-year-old and hasn't missed a season with them since.

"Playing for where you grew up was just how it was - I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else," he said.

"The club is so special to me and everyone here has had an impact on my life in one way or another - including teammates and trainers I've known since under 6s."

As such, helping the club end their first grade premiership drought in 2019 was a dream come true and a memory he'll never forget.

"Winning that premiership is definitely the top highlight of my time at the club," the 24-year-old said.

"After making it to the big dance and losing two years in a row, it made it even sweeter to win.

"To be the first team to do it for Kiama in more than 30 years was pretty special, seeing how much it meant to the town."

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A fair bit has changed at the club, including their playing roster, since then though, with the club, now coached by Marc Laird, sitting at 3-2 after five rounds.

"We're travelling okay, considering how different our squad is to previous years - to be 3-2 is a solid start," the former Kiama High School student said.

"Hopefully we keep building and working on combinations throughout the year and be a genuine threat to every team in the comp, which is the main goal."

Those combinations will be put to the test on Sunday when they host local rivals and reigning premiers Gerringong from 3pm.

"The keys to bouncing back against Gerringong is going right back to basics," said Martin, who has played 151 total senior games for the club.

"We're never going to be able to outmuscle a team, so just really emphasising the fact we have to be doing all the little things right.

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"All the stuff that doesn't take any skill, we need to be nailing.

"The Lions are a classy team who has been together for a long time, but we'll be right up for it on Sunday."

This is one of four fixtures during round seven, with Shellharbour hosting Nowra-Bomaderry, Milton-Ulladulla taking on Stingrays and Warilla-Lake South locking horns with Jamberoo.

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