Rowan Marshall

[BigMart]

Saw this bloke first at an open training session... thought he moved well for a tall, really impressed by his kicking

Then the intra club, where I thought he was the most impressive forward on the ground

Then the Practice Matches for Sandy, where he kicked bags of 5, 4, 3 and was dominating as a key forward

Then his performances in the Sandy games so far, in occasionally real poor conditions for a key forward that tall. He has been outstanding in partnership with McCartin... nearly his equal as a forward, of course has the size to ruck if needed. He has played high and low, gets 12-18 touches a game and kicks 2-3 a game, and consistently plays well.

What's impressive
Skill level for a guy so tall, and can play that coveted fwd/relief ruck
Running ability/mobility for a 200cm... Stanley was a fast runner, didn't play fast, didn't really know where to run, Marshall is more in the Hickey mobile mould, knows where to run and how to use his mobility

He is a year older, he is still building his body, but I think this bloke will be one of our best bargain pick ups when he develops

[White Winmar]

I've only seen him play twice, BM and I have to agree with your assessment. He finished third in North Ballarat's B and F last year and at 21 years of age, still has lots of improvement left in him. He moves well, has very strong hands overhead and is a very reliable set shot, something we desperately need. He's very mobile for his size and is versatile enough to play a KP or in the ruck. He may be the solution to our "Do we play two ruckmen" dilemma.

I wonder how he slipped through successive drafts and what any knocks on him are. Sometimes you can just tell by watching someone briefly, that they've "got it". He is such a player. So is Gresh, despite his short stature and Clayton Oliver, despite being a chubby little tunter in his junior days. We could have landed a steal with Rowan.

[#gosaintas]

Do they give him a run this year and if so, how do we fit all these talls in?
HAve also liked what I've seen at Sandy ans in the pre-season games.

[Otiman]

Seems like someone we could bring in for Bruce to give him a spell.

[Con Gorozidis]

What is his leap like?

[saintsRrising]

He is a year older, he is still building his body, but I think this bloke will be one of our best bargain pick ups when he develops

Agree.

This guy is exciting.

He just looks like a footballer. Things look easy for him. He like some of the better players just has "poise".

Marks very well and when he has a shot on goal he just goes backs and slots it.

Disappears at times, but that is probably fitness related. As he builds his tank he will stay in the game more. This will also help to improve the defensive side of his game that all players must have these days. That he played CHB reportedly quite well last year shows that he is a very well rounded player.

[Saintmatt]

Saw this bloke first at an open training session... thought he moved well for a tall, really impressed by his kicking

Then the intra club, where I thought he was the most impressive forward on the ground

Then the Practice Matches for Sandy, where he kicked bags of 5, 4, 3 and was dominating as a key forward

Then his performances in the Sandy games so far, in occasionally real poor conditions for a key forward that tall. He has been outstanding in partnership with McCartin... nearly his equal as a forward, of course has the size to ruck if needed. He has played high and low, gets 12-18 touches a game and kicks 2-3 a game, and consistently plays well.

What's impressive
Skill level for a guy so tall, and can play that coveted fwd/relief ruck
Running ability/mobility for a 200cm... Stanley was a fast runner, didn't play fast, didn't really know where to run, Marshall is more in the Hickey mobile mould, knows where to run and how to use his mobility

He is a year older, he is still building his body, but I think this bloke will be one of our best bargain pick ups when he develops

Agreed. I've seen Rohan play live now three times. Funnily enough - when I was watching Kruezer rip Longer a new one last Saturday - I kept thinking how it would be great if Marshall was in our side as he could have been a weapon for us (instead of dead useless as Longer is unless there is a stoppage).

[borderbarry]

Should be promoted for Armo and given a taste of AFL. It is not as though Josh is playing so well he is irreplaceable in the side, in fact a taste of the twos might be what he needs.

[Wombat15]

So Position wise in our 22.
Can we operate with; Longer ruck, Roo predominantly on the Wing and around the ground, Bruce and Members as the Two link up forwards then Have Paddys Paddock in the 50.
Then From there you have Marshall rotating with the Forwards and Longer off the bench? Just my thinking is we have a pretty versatile forward line due to the workrates Bruce, Membrey and Roo can provide.

[saintsRrising]

So Position wise in our 22.
Can we operate with; Longer ruck, Roo predominantly on the Wing and around the ground, Bruce and Members as the Two link up forwards then Have Paddys Paddock in the 50.
Then From there you have Marshall rotating with the Forwards and Longer off the bench? Just my thinking is we have a pretty versatile forward line due to the workrates Bruce, Membrey and Roo can provide.

If you mean all of Longer, Marshall, Roo, Bruce, Paddy and the smaller Membrey (at 188 he is not really that tall by today's standards) in the one team, then that is a lot of height in the one team, even if Roo does play wing, which may make us too cumbersome and lack the ability to really pressure in the forward half.


While he may come on earlier, I think Marshall would more be coming on post-Roo. This season he probably lacks the aerobic capacity.

Once fit enough he may compete with Bruce. That is assuming that Paddy keeps improving and getting fitter.

Paddy just turned 21 and Marshall is 5 months older.

[ace]

Should be promoted for Armo and given a taste of AFL. It is not as though Josh is playing so well he is irreplaceable in the side, in fact a taste of the twos might be what he needs.

I don't think we need a long term injured to upgrade Marshall.
With the retirement of Dempster we only have 39 on our senior list and he could be used as a nominated rookie.
It is like Dempster is long term injured by concussion.
However the club won't fill that place until the day they want to use Marshall.

[stonecold]

Not ready yet, project player!!!!!

[saintsRrising]

However the club won't fill that place until the day they want to use Marshall.

Or another rookie.

[jackstevo]

I don't know how he fits into the side baring injury or loss of form. It seems from the outside we didn't want Bruce and McCartin to play together so they were just waiting for one to be in form and the other out of form. It would take that again for Marshall to play. The second ruck thing doesn't matter. Clubs now use anyone as a second ruck because they just don't rate hit outs.

[fugazi]

Sounds like a player...we should have a very good forward line

[saintspremiers]

I don't know how he fits into the side baring injury or loss of form. It seems from the outside we didn't want Bruce and McCartin to play together so they were just waiting for one to be in form and the other out of form. It would take that again for Marshall to play. The second ruck thing doesn't matter. Clubs now use anyone as a second ruck because they just don't rate hit outs.

Plugsie, what changes do you anticipate tonight?

[BigMart]

Not saying he should be picked now, in the next 4 weeks or even this year... but ultimately will end up a good player... that's what I am saying...

[shrodes]

I hope the club gives him at least a game at senior level this year. Reward for effort. Hard to fault a big bloke averaging 2+ goals a game in his first year with a new club. Don't think we've even seen him ruck properly yet. So much upside.

[CQ SAINT]

His recruitment, his potential versatility and his performance so far has been a boon for our list management. Our bargaining power come trade and draft time in the near future, while we climb the ladder and team ranking lists puts us in an eviable position. Even when we take Roo out of the equation we have 3 tradable, capable tap ruckmen, 2 genuine goal kicking tall forwards and 2 encouraging developing ruck forwards around 200cm and then we have Carlisle and Brown with Goddard in reserve down back.
Brilliant recruiting and list management.

[saintsRrising]

His recruitment, his potential versatility and his performance so far has been a boon for our list management. Our bargaining power come trade and draft time in the near future, while we climb the ladder and team ranking lists puts us in an eviable position. Even when we take Roo out of the equation we have 3 tradable, capable tap ruckmen,

3 tradable, capable tap ruckmen ??

Hickey and Longer yes.

Pierce? Would currently have very little and probably no trade value.

Holmes. Has no trade value.

[citywest]

Saw this bloke first at an open training session... thought he moved well for a tall, really impressed by his kicking

Then the intra club, where I thought he was the most impressive forward on the ground

Then the Practice Matches for Sandy, where he kicked bags of 5, 4, 3 and was dominating as a key forward

Then his performances in the Sandy games so far, in occasionally real poor conditions for a key forward that tall. He has been outstanding in partnership with McCartin... nearly his equal as a forward, of course has the size to ruck if needed. He has played high and low, gets 12-18 touches a game and kicks 2-3 a game, and consistently plays well.

What's impressive
Skill level for a guy so tall, and can play that coveted fwd/relief ruck
Running ability/mobility for a 200cm... Stanley was a fast runner, didn't play fast, didn't really know where to run, Marshall is more in the Hickey mobile mould, knows where to run and how to use his mobility

He is a year older, he is still building his body, but I think this bloke will be one of our best bargain pick ups when he develops

This is what I hear all the time about late draft picks / rookie picks. Do you really believe that BM or is it more wishful thinking?

[saintbrat]

Rowan chats about beginning his AFL career and changes he has needed to make
from about half way through the podcast.



has put on weight, moved to the forward line, learnt how to eat well and still studying

[Con Gorozidis]

What is his leap like?

[Otiman]

May get a game ahead of Bruce if he impresses more (than Bruce) at VFL level.

[White Winmar]

What is his leap like?

Good leap, strong hands, reliable kick for goal. Probably needs more time to get us body up to AFL level. He's gained 13 kgs this year so he's well on his way. Far more impressive than Paddy in the two VFL games I've seen them play in together. If they were both to make it, it would be woo hoo time!