Marshall has been fast tracked.skeptic wrote: ↑Wed 12 Jun 2019 12:44amI never argued that Rowan wasn’t our best... just that I don’t think he’s ready or able to play lone hand. Playing Marshall forward was never about Longer being better but rather the only way we could fit 2 rucks in the team and IMO it filled another structural problem: being a key forward short.Shaggy wrote: ↑Tue 11 Jun 2019 11:24pmSince Billy has played 7 games for Sandy this year and only one for Saints when Marshall was injured that is not true.
Not good anting coming from some-one who all season has been calling for Marshall to be played forward and as a pinch ruck rather than as prime ruck where he has thrived with the responsibility.
Argue whichever way you want but there have been a number of games this year where the opposition have ground him down and climbed all over him as the games gone on.
Not Rowan’s fault nor a bad reflection on him either however not good for him IMO.
Regarding anting... Pierce got first crack and Longer was injured. And Pierce and Marshall barely got a look in last year when Hickey and Longer were stinking it up all season.
When Marshall got his opportunity he cemented his spot... but don’t for one second think that he got that opportunity in preference to Longer.
No bit of history over the last few years is remotely indicative that if fit, Billy wouldn’t have gotten first crack.
Last year he got selected to play ahead of both even when he was injured. Don’t kid yourself.
I am not wrong on this point
Last year was only his 2nd year at the club. He played 12 games primarily as a KPF/supporting ruck to Hickey. In the first half of the year I thought his ruck work was very average. In the second half of the year he dramatically improved and his ruck time increased accordingly.
The club then traded out Hickey and told Marshall pre-season he would be spending much more time in the ruck.
First round he played for Sandringham which was understandable given he has not played as prime ruck since 7 April, 2018 when he was smashed against the Crows. He destroyed Williamstown and has cemented his spot as our number one ruck regardless of Longer being available since Round 3.
You – not the club - have been pushing for Marshall to go back to a KPF / supporting ruck role despite Marshall thriving with the prime ruck responsibility.