Marshall inks long-term deal to remain at the Saints

St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall has turned his back on lucrative contract offers from rival clubs, signing a new, five-year deal to remain at Moorabbin.

The 26-year-old has been high on the list of priority re-signings for the Saints after six seasons at the club, with his breakout season coming in 2019. The latest deal will tie the ruckman to the club until at least the end of 2027.

Having played 78 games in the red, black and white since his initial drafting as a rookie in 2016, Marshall has become a revelation for the Saints. Head of List Management James Gallagher said the club was looking forward to the smiling Saint's long-term future at the club.

“We’re really pleased to have Rowan commit long-term to the club,” Gallagher said.

“Rowan made it clear from the beginning of these discussions that his heart was at the Saints and he was keen to stay long term, so we set about going through a process with his Management and have arrived at a position where both Rowan and the club are really happy.

“Rowan’s influence both on and off the field has really grown over his time at the club and with only 77 senior games under his belt, we are very confident that the best of Rowan Marshall is still to come. 

"He is just starting to hit his prime as he enters his more senior years, and we know that there’s a really exciting future ahead of him here at the Saints."

Marshall has teamed up with Paddy Ryder to create a formidable ruck duo in recent years, but with Ryder approaching the twilight of his career, it was important for the Saints to lock down his partner. The 26-year-old said that he had faith in the direction of the club, despite the Saints finding themselves on a winless streak after the bye.

“I love this club and really believe in the direction we’re heading,” Marshall said.

“We’ve all got big goals for where we want to take this group, with the ultimate success of a premiership at the top of that list.

"I’m really glad that I’ll get to be a part of it all for the next few years and just want to continue doing what I can to drive us forward."

Averaging 14 disposals and 19.5 hitouts per match so far this season, alongside nine goals, Marshall has developed into an instrumental part of a developing St Kilda side. The ruckman is just one of several recent key signings for the Saints, alongside skipper Jack Steele and Max King.