Having a close look at Marshall’s game just to highlight his importance to those who might not be 100% sure.
First quarter - Marshall was involved in almost every passage of play that led to a score in the first. He might not have racked up a disposal for every effort, but he was always there harrassing and effecting the contest.
Nice quick hands in some passages when he worked up the ground, a couple of good contests when he brought the ball down to advantage. Late in the quarter he even dragged his defender (Schofield?) under the ball, which led to another contested ground ball which we won. Only thing he did wrong was kick a point after a strong lead up mark. A goal there would have topped off a fantastic quarter for a KPF, let alone one who’s played 13 games.
Second quarter - officially Marshall had 6 disposals at half time. Seems to be having a quiet game, and you’d think so after this quarter, not on the ground for large chunks of time due to wet weather, but when he’s on the ground he neutralises 6 contests inside 50. 1 great tackle to lock the ball in, 2 dropped marks in perfect position for the rover, 2 50/50 contests where he spoiled the ball for a throw in and a free kick which he slotted. Barely on the ground, barely sees the ball, every time he was near it Port were a chance to score. Can’t ask more than that in the wet.
Third Quarter - on fire in the first five minutes, involved in a couple of passages where we should have scored, including one where he was involved on the wing, ran to receive and then ran to cover in the forward line where we scored a ball up. Took a good strong contested mark on the wing that wasn’t paid because of reasons. Then again in the forward line later in the term he brought another 2 marking contests to ground, one into Boaks lap again and another ball up. Seriously, every time the balls gone to Marshall inside 50 so far he’s won a stoppage or has given our crumbers every chance to score. Just imagine if he’d marked a couple!
Fourth Quarter - first inside 50, mark to Marshall, missed near left. Ball gets locked in, he’s involved in the next three contests, including one where he holds the ball in surrounded by 4 Eagles to allow help to arrive. More relentless Port pressure and Marshall almost intercepts a McGovern kick in the pocket, tips it and flicks it to Westhoff who scuffs the shot on goal. All this in the first 5 mins of the quarter. Follows up with two strong lead up efforts, one a good mark right half forward to set up SPP who’s being held 20 metres out, another point, then at right half back to spoil a certain intercept mark on the 50, sends it for a throw in. Then a minute later he’s at right half forward halving another aerial contest for a throw in. Marshall’s everywhere in the first 10 of the last. Took a break in the last 10 though, didn’t see to much to end the game.
Officially ends the game with 10 touches, three marks and 1 goal 2, but what he offers around the ground without getting a disposal is amazing. Don’t forget, I didn’t mention the blocking off the ball that he did on McGovern all night or his running patterns, I could only comment on what the replay will show me. I can say, though, that he did all of this against two mammoth defenders - McGovern and Schofield are no slouches. When Marshall gets a few more kilos on him and starts marking more that he doesn’t, he’s gonna win a bloody Coleman Medal.
This kid is a freak.