Rowan Marshall Says He Felt Uncomfortable at St Kilda’s Best and Fairest
Rowan Marshall says he skipped St Kilda’s best and fairest because he did not feel comfortable attending. Geelong completed the trade on Thursday, sending its…
Rowan Marshall’s move to Geelong followed a failed trade attempt last year and a decision to miss St Kilda’s best and fairest. The ruckman said he did not feel comfortable attending the club’s Trevor Barker Award, after Geelong completed a deal for him on Thursday.
The Cats gave up this year’s first-round selection, currently pick No.14, and received Marshall and St Kilda’s 2028 third-round selection. Marshall said he had not spoken to former coach Ross Lyon since the trade was completed, though he planned to speak with him in the coming days.
“I had no idea it would blow up like it did, to be honest,” Marshall said on Friday. “And reality is I just didn't feel comfortable at the time.”
Geelong Cats player trade news and the B&F absence
Marshall chose not to attend the Trevor Barker Award on Monday night. News of his absence broke earlier that day, according to AFL.com.au.
Asked why he stayed away, Marshall said there were “a few different reasons,” including the prospect of having “a lot of interactions with a lot of people.” He said he had left St Kilda on good terms, despite the difficult trade process.
The move followed an unsuccessful attempt to join Geelong last year. St Kilda had recruited Tom De Koning as its No.1 ruck, but the clubs could not strike a deal. Marshall returned to the Saints after that failed move and made a fresh trade request this year.
The trade call came while Marshall was playing golf. His manager, Dave Trotter, delivered the news.
“Congratulations mate, you're a Cat,” Marshall recalled Trotter telling him. Marshall said his golf game had been “all over the shop the first five holes” before the message arrived, after which his swing loosened and he played a good stretch.
A new ruck partnership at Geelong
Marshall said he had spoken with St Kilda football boss Lenny Hayes “a little bit” the day before his Friday comments. He had not yet spoken with Lyon, but said he expected that conversation in the next couple of days.
“Not yet,” Marshall said when asked whether he had spoken to Lyon or Hayes. He then clarified that he had spoken with Hayes and would speak with Lyon soon.
At Geelong, Marshall expects to play alongside young ruck Mitchell Edwards, who is 21. He said he believes their styles can work together and that his best football remains ahead of him.
“I think it's going to work really well. I think we hopefully complement each other really well,” Marshall said.
Marshall joins Geelong with fellow recruits Toby Greene and Jordan Ridley. The Cats’ payment for the ruckman was this year’s first-round selection, currently pick No.14.
Source: afl.com.au
