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St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall boycotts best and fairest as trade standoff with Geelong escalates

The 30-year-old has requested a trade to Geelong for the second straight year and declined to attend the Trevor Barker Award on Monday night.

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources3 outlets
St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall boycotted the club's best and fairest award on Monday night as he pushes for a trade to Geelong for the second consecutive year, with the Saints demanding Geelong's first-round draft pick (No.14) and a player in return.

Marshall, who turns 31 next month, informed St Kilda last week that he would not attend the Trevor Barker Award function at Crown's Palladium, saying he did not feel valued by the club and did not feel it was appropriate to attend while his trade request remained unresolved.

St Kilda are seeking Geelong's first-round pick (No.14) and a player in exchange for the contracted ruckman. The Saints initially asked about small defender Lawson Humphries but have since shelved that inquiry. From Geelong's perspective, sources describe the price as high for a ruckman of Marshall's age, though the Saints argue the demand is fair because Marshall is contracted until the end of next year.

Geelong also hold picks 34, 55 and 73 in this year's draft, as well as a full set of selections in 2027 and 2028. The Cats also need draft capital to secure Essendon defender Jordan Ridley, for whom the Bombers will seek significant compensation.

Marshall finished 10th in St Kilda's best and fairest count.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The standoff highlights the growing tension between contracted players seeking moves and clubs demanding premium compensation.
  • St Kilda risks losing a key ruck without adequate replacement if they cannot secure a suitable deal.
  • Geelong's list management strategy is under scrutiny as they juggle multiple trade targets with limited high-end draft picks.

Background

Rowan Marshall has been a key figure in St Kilda's ruck division. The AFL trade period allows players to move between clubs during a designated window each October. Marshall's request to join Geelong is now in its second year, indicating a prolonged desire to leave the Saints. Clubs typically value contracted players highly, especially when they fill a specific role.

Key Perspectives

[St Kilda]: The club wants fair compensation for a contracted player and is holding out for a first-round pick plus a player. [Geelong]: The Cats see a high price for a ruckman approaching 31 and must also reserve picks for other targets like Jordan Ridley. [Critics/Skeptics]: Some argue a ruckman of Marshall's age is not worth a top-15 pick, while others note that contract leverage often inflates trade demands.

What to Watch

  • Whether Geelong offers pick 14 outright or proposes a package involving later picks or a player.
  • How Essendon's demands for Jordan Ridley affect Geelong's remaining trade capital.
  • The October 16 trade deadline will force a resolution if no deal is reached soon.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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