If a week is a long time in football, then two years is an eternity in the world of Rowan Marshall.

The rising star of the competition will play his first match at the Adelaide Oval this weekend, two years after a false start he will never forget.

Marshall remembers all too well the disappointment of returning to Melbourne the night the Saints agonisingly fell to Port Adelaide in late 2017.

And that was before finding out via his mobile phone that Robbie Gray had sunk the Saints with a goal on the final siren.

Marshall was mid-air on the way back to Melbourne when Gray’s kick sailed over Tim Membrey’s outstretched hand, after being a late withdrawal from what would have been just his second game.

READ: Rowan Marshall - Journey to the big time

The then 21-year-old made his debut in Round 18 against the Swans as a key forward a week earlier, and did enough to earn selection for the Power clash.

But heavy rain in the lead up to the match convinced the coaching staff to go small and the Portland product was instead sent home to play with Sandringham on the Sunday.

Making matters worse was that Marshall’s parents had also made the five-hour trip to Adelaide from Portland.

His Dad’s work had even purchased a corporate box where he was meant to watch his son take it up to the Power.

“I was pretty shattered,” Marshall said on Thursday night after signing autographs for a host of fans who braved the cold for a special twilight session.

“I understood the decision but it was pretty disappointing to be heading to the airport when the boys ran out.

“I have always wanted to play there. It’s such an awesome ground. I’ve warmed up there twice (as travelling emergency) but never actually taken the field.

“Dad was pretty disappointed too but I still think he still had a good night in the box.”

History shows the young Saints had the Power on toast with 90 seconds left in the match before disaster struck.

“I remember getting home about 1.00am and having to get up to play for Sandringham the next day was pretty flattening,” he said.

Marshall returns to Adelaide this weekend, not only as an entrenched member of the team, but as one of the game’s most improved players.

After seeing out the 2017 season in the VFL, the 201cm big man registered 12 matches last season, playing mostly as key forward.

The signs were there but few would predict the impact he would have as a mobile ruckman this year.

Marshall is averaging 17 disposals and 29 hit-outs a game in 2019, playing a lone-hand in the ruck with both Billy longer and Lewis Pierce sidelined with concussion.

After being left out of the team in Round 1, the “Prospect” has taken on the game’s best, including an enthralling encounter against Max Max Gawn last weekend.

While Gawn dominated early, Marshall hit back in the second half.

“He’s obviously one of the best there is and a player I really respect,” Marshall said.

“I was a bit nervous to begin with but felt more comfortable as the match wore on.

“I just tried to stick to my game and stop him from having a big influence.”

Marshall’s ‘game’ is a serious one.

An ability to mark the ball around the ground, coupled with a hunger to compete in the air and below his knees, has seen him become one of the highest ranked players in the competition since Round 11.

A growing belief and an immense work ethic has him primed for a big career at the Saints.

And plenty more games at the Adelaide Oval.