Youngster Rowan Marshall has set a new bar.

‘The Prospect’ lived up to his nickname on Sunday afternoon, putting in a career-best performance to firmly stamp his name on the Saints’ No. 1 ruck spot.

And although his side fell agonisingly short to a more accurate Dockers outfit, the 23-year-old can hold his head high after another eye-catching display.

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After a summer-long tussle for the mantle of preferred ruck, Marshall was the unlucky omission from the side in Round 1.

But the fan favourite came back with a vengeance in Round 2, playing a crucial role as the Saints saw off a last-quarter surge from the Bombers.

At 201cm and weighing 98kg, Marshall is relatively slight compared to the bulk of modern-day AFL ruckmen, but his biggest strength lies in his impressive athleticism.

He polled career-high numbers in both tackles and clearances against Essendon (six apiece) and amassed a career-high 13 contested possessions.

The No. 19’s performance against the Bombers saw him comfortably retain his spot and head west to face Fremantle.

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Marshall came into Sunday’s game as the Saints’ sole tall, but he rose to the occasion to be among the best for the red, white and black for a second consecutive week.

The big man went to work on Fremantle’s Rory Lobb, winning a career-high 40 hit-outs and owning the centre circle all day.

But as Saints fans have come to expect from the exciting young ruckman, Marshall’s influence wasn’t limited solely to ruck contests.

FEATURE: Marshall's Prospect looms large

He equalled last week’s career-high numbers in both tackles and clearances and won 16 disposals (10 contested).

Two games in 2019 have showcased enormous improvement after an already promising 2018, and among Saints fans, the feeling is unanimous:

Rowan Marshall is on the up.