St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall has reportedly spoken to senior officials at Moorabbin following recent trade rumours linking the star tall to a potential exit.
Marshall is contracted with the Saints for a further three seasons following the current campaign, having penned a five-year deal in 2022.
The 28-year-old's name has recently been floated in media trade talks, with a view that the key position Saint could look elsewhere at the end of the year if the right deal arose.
"I'd keep an eye on Rowan Marshall at St Kilda," 9 News reporter Tom Morris told SEN this week.
"They're not the most settled environment at the moment the Saints. Clubs have become aware more recently that Marshall is one of those players that might have a look around if the right deal presents itself.
"There's a few ifs and buts here, but I'm not saying that about Jack Sinclair, I'm not saying this about other players."
According to News Corp, Marshall has since spoken with key members at St Kilda to refute any suggestion he could look to join a new club this off-season.
Arguably the club's most important player under Ross Lyon given his pedigree and the Saints' lacking ruck stocks, Marshall has emerged as one of the premier ruckmen of the competition after being drafted as a rookie by the club in 2016.
With cold water poured over Marshall's situation at Linton Street, the Saints' senior staff will feel reassured ahead of an anticipated busy trade and free agency period.
The Saints are currently in a tug-of-war to retain key defender Josh Battle beyond this year, with the stopper weighing up his options as an unrestricted free agent.
Hawthorn are seen as a frontrunner for Battle should he depart St Kilda, who have their own interest in Geelong small forward Tyson Stengle.
Stengle too is eligible for free agency under an unrestricted band, with Essendon also said to be keen on the All-Australian and premiership Cat.
The Saints will be keen to add top-line talent to their list without giving up valuable draft capital, with the club's current draft hand for the 2024 count possessing Picks 5, 33, 48 and 55.
