Rowan Marshall has commended his side’s ability to return to this season’s “one-wood” of absolute effort following St Kilda’s plucky win over Sydney in response to its limp run prior to the bye.  

The big fella was again one of the Saints’ most instrumental in Thursday night’s 14-point win over Sydney, amassing a career-best 50 hit-outs, 16 disposals and seven tackles to consolidate his side’s standing in the top-eight.

Marshall was far from a lone soldier at the SCG, with everyone across the board - but highlighted best by Mitch Owens and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera - chipping in to overcome the unclean first half and come away victors with a rousing final term.

“Our last couple of weeks pre the bye probably weren’t great. We just wanted to come back to our one-wood and everyone bring our effort and play their role, and I thought we were able to do that well last night,” Marshall told SEN.

“When you’ve got so many players playing their role, you’ll end up with a great result which is pleasing to see.

“Since Ross (Lyon) has come in, day one he’s held us to a really high standard. I think we really hit the ground running day one of pre-season. We were able to get really fit and really strong and it’s held us in good stead so far.

“I know it’s an old cliche, but at the moment we’re just taking it one week at a time.”

With the retirement of Paddy Ryder at the end of last season, Marshall has assumed the ruck reins solo, with pinch-hitting support from Owens and Anthony Caminiti.

The effectiveness of the Ryder-Marshall combo understandably raised the question heading into 2023 as to how and where the latter could be utilised best, especially with his ability to play a key role up forward a part of his arsenal and the likes of Tom Campbell and the incumbent Max Heath waiting in the wings.

But wherever it is he’s plonked on the ground, Marshall isn’t fussed in the slightest.

“To be honest, I don’t really care (as to) my position on the ground, I’m just happy playing,” Marshall said.

“Whether that’s a bit more time forward or whether it’s 80, 90 per cent time in the ruck, I’m happy doing that.

Like every other player on the list, Marshall was thrown a challenge by Lyon to better himself and his on-field impact.

The directive, as ever, was simple. Stay fit, stay off the injury list and the results will show.

On paper, it’s again looking like the makings of another influential campaign, with Marshall’s hit-out work and ground-level follow-up a particular highlight. 

Boosted by his most recent half-century return, Marshall has amassed 336 hit-outs from his first 12 appearances; a huge jump up from last year’s 199 in the same time period.

“I had a pretty good chat to Ross when he first came in, and I guess he wanted me to stay injury-free,” Marshall said.

“I’ve struggled a bit over the last 24 months with my body and at times been injured and at times played injured, but I think I’ve been able to (put in) a pretty good pre-season.

“I’ve trained pretty much every session, got fitter and feel the strongest I’ve ever been, so that’s the main thing he’s challenged me on.

“One of my strengths as a ruckman is probably my ability to get around the ground, so I wanted to make that a main focus to get really fit.”