Rowan Marshall

[Vazelos]

There is a bit of talk about this kid as he is out performing the other Rucks on our list at the Zebras for most of the year...
He seems to have the ability to go forward and kick goals too and apparently is a natural footballer with good hands and mobility...
Not sure what his ruck work is like but I would be thinking he is pushing for a senior spot in 2018.

Where does that leave us in the big man stakes?

We have 2 Ruckman who have alternated years in playing senior football both having what the other does not possess, which one is going to improve his deficiencies to become no 1?

Longer- 2015 & 2017 Senior Ruckman- strong, combative tap ruckman average around the ground
Hickey- 2016 Senior Ruckman average body work and tap ruckman but talented around the ground with good agility below his knees.
Lewis Pierce- unsighted except for 1 game against Carlton last year he seems to have gone backwards yet has 2 more years on his contract!!!
Jason Holmes- looks like Holmes will be delisted end of year.
Rowan Marshall- consistent quality performer in the VFL putting his hand up for a senior contract.


Can someone who is watching Zebras closer give us some better feed back?

[spert]

I have no confidence in the Saints development of players, and I just hope Marshall can take a step up and not flop around and go nowhere like too many other promising players we have, or have had.

[footynut]

Currently playing CHB in the VFL, however started the year in the forward line and was consistently kicking multiple goals.

Personally I cant see why they dont rotate Carlisle, Hickey/Longer and Marshall through the ruck, back & forward lines. Peoplemay argue we'lll loose run, but we gain flexibility.

[WellardSaint]

Currently playing CHB in the VFL, however started the year in the forward line and was consistently kicking multiple goals.

Personally I cant see why they dont rotate Carlisle, Hickey/Longer and Marshall through the ruck, back & forward lines. Peoplemay argue we'lll loose run, but we gain flexibility.

Great suggestion.
The coaches seem keen to cross-train other guys, so why not?
They played Jack B and Sincs out of position last year to teach them flexibility- or so said some on here.
Do it for Jake, the 2 streetlights and Marshall

[SMS]

Sell longer and hickey for next year round 2's.
They are useless let some other club get fooled into em.
Meanwhile build marshall and Pearce. Both taller and can go forward. Keep holmes as absolute back up for next 3 years.

Free Agent Rockcliff
2017 Hawks Round 1 J.Kelly
2017 Saints Round 1

2018 4 picks inside 40 in a superdraft.
Draft well and grab Sloane/L.Weller as free agents

2019 Premiership Team
Webster. Goddard. Geary
Roberton. Carisle. Newnes
J.Kelly. Ross. L.Weller
Billings. Bruce. Membrey
Gresham. McCartin. B.Long

Marshall. Steven. Rockcliff

Sloane. Dunstan. Freeman Sinclair

[White Winmar]

Just promote the boy. Sometimes you see a player and think, yep, he's got it. Clayton Oliver, the fat little bugger, was another one. Marshall might take some more time, but he's already played against men for three years, finished third in a VFL b&f and is right at home at the VFL level. He's got it. As good a mark as Paddy, a far better kick for goal and a decent pinch hitter in the ruck, the modern prototype. A sort of two metre Peter Wright. Just do it. We have eight weeks to give him a go. So much better than Billy. More versatile than Holmes. Has Pierce covered and is as potentially good as Hickey. Speaking of which, what's happened to him? From close to AA to Sandy struggler. Holler for a Marshall!

[saintsRrising]

While I am a Marshall fan one cannot really say that he is outperforming the other rucks as Marshall has basically been playing as a key position player with us this year rather than as a ruck.

This will help to develop him as a ruck forward....or even perhaps as just a key position player.

[sasaint]

Strange as it may sound I think we have to admit our ruck strategy has been a bit of a fail. Would think keep Longer as number one ruck keep Marshal as the backup, trade or more likely just delist the rest and roll the dice on the next available. That is after getting an elite mid or two This draft period. The no third man up rule has killed Hickeys serviceability.

[Jacks Back]

I thought every side could promote a rookie half way through the year regardless of any injuries. Has this gone out the window?

[ausfatcat]

no point in promoting if there not going to play, just means using more salary cap space for no reason


He needs time, not ready yet

[Proph3t of egan]

no point in promoting if there not going to play, just means using more salary cap space for no reason


He needs time, not ready yet

I agree, developing bigman right now, would only promote him if injuries to Roo, Bruce and McCartin at the same time

[borderbarry]

I feel differently. He should be played. Who knows, he may be better value than a forward already being played. Our selectors have now had three opportunities to promote a rookie, in Dempsters place, after round 11. and now to replace Minchington. Now why would'nt they have done so?

[Bernard Shakey]

Nowhere near ready for AFL yet.

[Linton Lodger]

Watching the Sandy game stream. Marshall is not ready for AFL, Josh Battle on the other hand is a very likely type.

[Otiman]

Snuck forward to get a nice goal 40 out from the fence.

[Wombat15]

Was this before or after he nailed one from the flank? Shows the qualities required.

[Dave McNamara]

I'm a huge fan, and am very keen to see The Marshall in action. However, Bernard sees him every(?) week, and is a good judge. So I don't want to play Marshall (nor anyone else) till they're ready.

Along with The Battle, his time will come.

[spiral3]

Along with The Battle, his time will come.

as long as he doesn't head to Hawthorn in the next couple of years, pretty strong family connection to the Hawks
hopefully the Saints win/have won them over and he stays with us

[ace]

Sell longer and hickey for next year round 2's.
They are useless let some other club get fooled into em.
Meanwhile build marshall and Pearce. Both taller and can go forward. Keep holmes as absolute back up for next 3 years.

The problem I see with both Longer and Hickey is you go into the game hoping , hoping, hoping they can hold their own.
Even getting beaten, so long as it is not overwhelmingly so, is an acceptable outcome.
If you want to win a premiership you have to be expecting your ruckman to beat his opponent.