If you blinked, you might have missed it. That’s the nature of the Rookie Draft, with names flashing up on the computer one after the other. For new St Kilda rookie Rowan Marshall, his life changed in the blink of an eye on Monday afternoon.
Surrounded by immediate family in front of a computer at his home back in Portland on the south-west coast of Victoria, Marshall went from a budding VFL star to onto an AFL list.
By Tuesday afternoon, he had completed the five hour journey to his new football club and tomorrow he will board a plane to New Zealand with his new teammates. Talk about a whirlwind few days for the mature-age rookie.
Having been overlooked two years ago following a standout season in the TAC Cup, Marshall didn’t want to get his hopes up ahead of Monday’s Rookie Draft. He’d spoken to the Saints several times and knew they were remotely interested, but also knew there were no guarantees. That’s what made the events of Monday even sweeter for the 21-year-old.
“I couldn’t believe it. When I saw my name pop up it was just an unbelievable experience – I’m stoked to be on board,” Marshall told saints.com.au in his first interview at the club.
“I had no idea (if a club would pick me) leading into the rookie draft, so when the Saints picked me I was stoked.
“I was always hopeful. Obviously missing out two years ago when I was a 19-year-old with the Rebels was pretty disappointing, but I worked hard and was lucky enough to get an opportunity at the North Ballarat Roosters and I took it with both hands. Here I am now.”
At 201cm, Marshall has naturally spent time in the ruck, but at the Roosters he was used all over the ground where his versatility appealed to the Saints.
“I’ve played all over at the Roosters; I think that versatility is really good. I played a third of the year down back, down forward and in the ruck. So experiencing those different positions is really good,” Marshall said.
Starved of opportunity in the final year of North Melbourne’s alignment with North Ballarat in 2015, Marshall thrived with added exposure this season, taking his game to another level. With another pre-season under his belt, the new recruit is confident he can raise the bar again in 2017.
“Without a doubt (I’ve got more improvement and development in me). I’m about 96 kilos so I’ve still got to put on a bit more size and get a bit stronger, so I’m looking forward to having a big pre-season,” he said.
After selecting Ben Long (No. 25), Josh Battle (No. 39) and Ed Phillips (No. 56) at last Friday night’s National Draft, Marshall was the final piece of St Kilda’s recruiting puzzle ahead of 2017.
