‘Milestone curiosity’: $1.7m play sparks fresh trade whispers as five clubs linked to Saints star

Contract calls: Who stays and who goes? | 05:55

Rival clubs believe Rowan Marshall would be open to a trade away from St Kilda should free agent Tom De Koning land at Moorabbin, according to multiple reports on Tuesday night.

The Saints are central to two of the biggest trade storylines at the moment, with the club keen to acquire De Koning from the Blues while also determined to keep off-contract young star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera amid strong interest from both Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

St Kilda has long been linked to De Koning and has a lucrative deal worth around $1.7 million per season on the table for him.

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Marshall, meanwhile, is contracted to the Saints until at least the end of the 2027 season after signing a five-year extension in June, 2022. He was mentioned in trade rumblings and reports 12 months ago, but told foxfooty.com.au he “wanted to quash those talks – get on the front foot and say I was happy with the club”.

The 29-year-old — who’s been a week-to-week selection watch in recent times due to ongoing niggles, as reported by foxfooty.com.au’s Will Faulkner last month — is due to play his 150th AFL match this weekend – nearly eight years after he was plucked out of the VFL as a 21-year-old rookie.

Rowan Marshall of the Saints and Tom De Koning of the Blues compete in the ruck. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

But speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Tuesday night, Herald Sun reporter Glenn McFarlane said Marshall was unlikely to be put up to the media this week, further fuelling speculation the Saints aren’t keen for Marshall to address any speculation of him lining up alongside De Koning next year.

“I don’t think we’re going to (hear from him). I love a good milestone curiosity,” McFarlane told Midweek Tackle.

“It’s very, very quiet on the Rowan Marshall front – and that’s clearly because the club is not that keen on him talking about Tom De Koning, who we know is almost certainly – unless there’s a massive change of heart – going to St Kilda for $1.7 million (per season).

“I asked for him in the rooms several weeks ago and didn’t get him, but that’s OK.

“With TDK going there, clubs are now starting to think: ‘Can we prise Rowan Marshall out of Moorabbin?’”

9 News chief football journalist Tom Morris reported on Footy Classified that Geelong would likely “ask the question” of Marshall and St Kilda, should De Koning move to the Saints. 7News chief football reporter Mitch Cleary said on Agenda Setters that, as well as Geelong, the likes of Brisbane, Carlton, Essendon and Adelaide would be keeping tabs on Marshall’s situation.

It comes as clubs anticipate a ruck merry-go-round this trade period, with Essendon’s Sam Draper, Crow Reilly O’Brien and potentially Fremantle’s Sean Darcy all considering their footy futures.

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Both Cleary and Morris suggested St Kilda would only entertain a trade for Marshall if a rival club was prepared to part with a mid to late first-round pick.

While Marshall hasn’t conducted many interviews this season, he suggested in April he would only forgo his position as the club’s No. 1 ruck if it ensured improved results.

“I think I play my best footy in the ruck, that’s up to wherever Ross (Lyon) wants to play me. I am happy wherever as long as we’re winning,” Marshall told NewsWire.

“Whether that’s ruck or forward, it doesn’t really matter, as long as we’re playing well.

Herald Sun reporter Scott Gullan said it was hard to see Marshall remaining at the Saints next year, despite his contract.

“None of this should shock St Kilda,” Gullan told Midweek Tackle. “You’ve gone and (targeted) a young ruckman on a gazillion dollars and you’ve said to the guy who’s been a heart-and-soul good player ‘we’ll shuffle you to the forward pocket’ … they’ve got Max King coming back, a full-forward ready to go.

“I don’t blame Rowan Marshall. He turns 30 in November, he’s still got a couple of good years yet.

“I’d be surprised if he’s there (at St Kilda in 2026).”

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