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Now Martyn will play a key role off half-back for an unchanged Demons side entering the club's first preliminary final against the Sydney Swans at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.

"Learning from [people like Cicolella and Powell] about preparing to play football and playing football was fantastic," Martyn said.

"When I saw myself coming back over to Canberra, I was 24 at the time, and [I'd be] able to use that knowledge and impart it on the younger guys.

"We were in the doldrums a couple of years ago. It’s been a good mix with a culture change, obviously Kade came from a few different organisations and he has brought that culture from Queanbeyan, which as you can see, is one of the best in AFL Canberra, and implemented it into the Canberra Demons.

"Coupled with our recruiting as well, being able to attain talent from the two academies, the [Greater Western Sydney] Giants and Swans, and also recruit some local players, it’s put us in good stead.

"It definitely comes back down to the culture. I think a good culture breeds success and that’s what we’ve been able to implement and it’s held us in good stead."

The free-flowing nature of the NEAFL is a perfect fit for an outside player like Martyn, who laughs he is happy to "let the lads do the work on the inside and I put the polish on top".

His transition from the wing to the half-back line has been a masterstroke from Klemke as the Demons edge closer to an historic premiership.

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Canberra have left Cameron Milne (concussion) and Thomas Faul (hamstring) out of the squad while the Swans have made six changes ahead of the grand final playoff.

Those six changes are all AFL-listed players, bringing the side's total to 13. If anyone thought that would be a daunting prospect for the Demons, they best think again.

The mob is fearless, and confident their brand of football can stand up against the best.

"We think about winning because that’s what we’re there to do," Martyn said.

"You’ve got to have that winning mindset. If you go in and go ‘I just want to hold my own and I don’t want to get beaten’, then I reckon you set yourself up for failure.

"We’re going in with a winner’s mentality and we’re looking forward to celebrating and singing our song after the game."

The Southport Sharks will meet the Aspley Hornets in the second preliminary final at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday.

NEAFL PRELIMINARY FINAL

Saturday: Sydney Swans v Canberra Demons at Blacktown International Sportspark, 12pm. Live stream on NEAFL TV.

SYDNEY

B: 51. Connor Flanagan, 54. Kyle Veerhuis, 53. Kyle McKellar
HB: 33. Ryley Stoddart, 21. Jack Maibaum, 31. Harrison Marsh
C: 22. Dean Towers, 45. Angus Styles, 1. James Rose
HF: 41. Jake Brown, 34. Jordan Dawson, 16. Gary Rohan
F: 55. Bailey Stewart, 58. Mitchell Rogers, 42. Robbie Fox
Foll: 17. Darcy Cameron, 32. James Bell, 38. Colin O’Riordan
Inter: 49. Cooper Kilpatrick, 56. Joey Reinhard, 50. Sam Wicks, 52. Josh Stern
Emer: 59. Hamish Ellem, 47. Ky McGrath, 57. Michael Carroll

CANBERRA

B: 35. Tom Highmore, 2. Alex Paech, 18. Angus Baker
HB: 25. Sam Martyn, 15. Jack Baker, 6. Kade Klemke
C: 36. Lucas Meline, 24. Alex Smout, 9. Jack Powell
HF: 10. Reed Stevens, 4. Aaron Bruce, 16. Mitch Hardie
F: 17. Jarrod Osborne, 45. Harrison Carr, 23. Ben Fulford
Foll: 19. Nathan Richards, 8. Mitch Maguire, 1. Isaac Taylor
Inter: 37. Riley Budd, 21. Matt Vardanega, 7. Connor Owen-Auburn, 29. Ben Halse, 44. Guy Richardson
Emer: 28. Nathan Oakes, 5. Nick Collins, 12. Luke McKay