The former Navarre player and coach from last season in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League confirmed his intentions to the Baggies on Wednesday morning.

Swifts president Robert Carey was very pleased to confirm the news.

"He is definitely the man we wanted. Ben is an excellent onballer, a Lexton league best and fairest, played at Stawell and has had three years of coaching experience prior to this," Mr Carey said.

"He will be a massive bonus to our club."

Swifts approached Martin five weeks ago and he told the club he would make a decision before the end of the football season.

"To do it (make that decision) with two weeks to go - we're very pleased," Mr Carey said.

"We knew he had spoken to a number of clubs and he chose us because of the position that we're in."

Martin is similar in age to current coach Paul Hanns - who will share the duties with Martin in 2013 - and Mr Carey said they communicate well together.

"The club and players are very excited about the whole thing. Now that Ben's on board, it will encourage everybody to stay and see we're going in the right direction."

Martin told The Stawell Times-News he is looking forward to next season at Swifts.

"They're in a pretty good position, the club itself. They're in the top five and who knows what will happen this year. Hopefully next year, I'm able to help them go forward as well. Plus I felt like I needed a bit of change with my footy and it was a good opportunity to go to Swifts," he said.

Martin said he had been in talks with a couple of options in the town, wishing to be based in Stawell where the travelling is not as severe as it was in the MCDFL.

"I didn't want to muck around with clubs. I have been in their shoes before with recruiting and have been stuffed around. I wanted to make a decision. A few clubs came and spoke to me and I gave them the opportunity to put their case forward and chose the Swifts," he said.

Meanwhile, Martin is still recovering from a right knee reconstruction he underwent in March.

He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in the MCDFL grand final last year, but said the knee is 'coming along alright.'

"It's where it should be at this stage of recovery. I should be right for the start of pre-season," Martin said.

The former Navarre coach and player is very happy to sign with Swifts, but was full of praise for his old club.

"I'd like to thank them for four years at being at the club and wish them all the best," he said.

"(As the saying goes) one chapter closes, another one opens."