After being carefully managed like all other first-year players last pre-season, rookie tall forward Rowan Marshall hasn’t missed a session this summer as he looks to build on his single game of senior experience in 2018.
The athletic 22-year-old was one of St Kilda’s most impressive players in last Friday night’s inaugural AFLX tournament, pressing his claims for an opportunity during the JLT Community Series and for another senior game.
“I’m feeling really good. I’ve had no injuries or no setbacks, so the pre-season has been really positive,” Marshall told saints.com.au after Friday night’s AFLX tournament.
“Last year we got pulled out of a few drills being first-years, but this year I’ve done 100
With Nick Riewoldt calling time on his decorated career last August, Josh Bruce recovering from minor knee surgery and Paddy McCartin an ankle injury over the summer, Marshall has been a key focal point on the track over the pre-season.
The Portland product says he has worked closely with Bruce, McCartin and mobile forward Tim Membrey in recent months, along with forwards coach Rohan Welsh and ruck coach Adam Skrobalak.
“I’ve worked closely with the key forwards, so Paddy, ‘Brucey’, ‘Skunk’ and those sort of players,” Marshall said.
“I’ve worked with ‘Whoosha’ [Welsh] and done some ruck stuff with ‘Skrobber’ [Skrobablak], so that’s been really good.”
Marshall said the pace in AFLX was electric, but dashing defender Shane Savage adapted to the concept quickest, leaving his mark on the game.
“It was pretty high pace. We weren’t really knowing what to expect heading in, but it was good to come away with a win,” he said.
“Sav was unreal. He was really good coming off the backline and using his penetrating kick to either kick it long or to kick a few Zooper Dooper goals. He was really good.”
