St Kilda’s trade fallout explodes as under-contract star Rowan Marshall meets Cats coach Chris Scott
Geelong coach Chris Scott has met with St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall in the middle of the AFL finals as the fallout to the Saints’ big-money recruiting strategy continues.
Marshall has been linked with a move this year, despite having two more seasons to run on his contract, in the wake of his club’s successful pursuit of Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon would dearly love to unleash a double-pronged attack next year but Marshall could be out there door before De Koning’s first official day.
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“Scott always says the Cats can walk and chew gum at the same time and he’s proving it once again,” Cleary said.
He added the likely starting point for any move would have to be a first-round pick, given Marshall’s contract.
News of the meeting follows reports that the Western Bulldogs had made a play for Saints vice-captain Callum Wilkie, who has so far fended off concerns about his place at the club.
As well as De Koning, St Kilda have secured Carlton defender Jack Silvagni, GWS Giants backman Leek Aleer and West Coast’s Liam Ryan.
Marshall has previously been coy on his future ahead of De Koning’s arrival on a deal worth double the money.
“Obviously he’s a great player, so I guess whatever’s going to make us better,” Marshall said in July.
“That’s what we’re trying to do and he’ll make us a better team.”
Pressed on his own future, Marshall was tight-lipped.
“This is going to sound so cliche, but I haven’t really given it too much thought,” Marshall said.
“There’s four games left and I’m employed by the St Kilda Football Club to rock up each week and perform.
“That’s just my sole focus at the minute.
“My last two or three weeks have been pretty disappointing individually, so I just want to finish the season well with a strong patch of form and go into next year.”
Marshall has played as a sole ruckman for most of this year and said he wasn’t fussed about whether he continued in that role, amid the prospect of a partnership with De Koning.
“As long as we’re winning games I don’t really care,” Marshall said.
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
