The St Kilda Football Club has elevated 201cm Kiwi Rowan Marshall to their senior list under the AFL’s mid season promotion rules.
Born in Taranaki, the versatile key position player established himself in the Victorian Football League in 2016, playing 18 senior games where he was named in North Ballarat’s best players on nine occasions, before he was drafted by St Kilda in November last year. In 2017, Marshall has been one of Sandringham’s key forwards and has stamped his mark up front for the Zebra’s.
With third-year key defender Hugh Goddard out for the year with a foot injury and Sean Dempster retiring earlier in the season, the Saints elevated Marshall off the rookie list to be an emergency for the clash against Essendon at Etihad stadium last Friday night.
With St Kilda well stocked in the ruck department, expect Marshall to develop into a tall forward who has the capacity to play multiple roles where required.
The 21-year-old was selected with pick 10 in the 2016 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
“We’ve elevated Rowan (because) we’ve just got a little light on for the big blokes given Hugh Goddard is injured (and) Sean Dempster is retired now,” Head Coach Alan Richardson said.
“Rowan gives us a bit flexibility, so if for whatever reason we lose (a player), then Rowan will give us some structure forward or back.
“He’s done a really good job in the VFL, so that was the reason for the elevation.
