Warren Tredrea: Port Adelaide fans will be hollering Todd Marshall’s name for years to come
Few footballers have had to deal with as much tragedy at such a young age as Todd Marshall. But the forward showed on Good Friday he was taking giants strides on the field and will be a serious force to contend with in years to come.
Warren Tredrea
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Todd Marshall is the key to Port Adelaide’s future.
At 20, and after only 13 games, he has the right ingredients to dominate for years to come.
On Friday night against West Coast in Perth, he made a statement to the AFL world. And while many will point to his low statistics of 10 disposals, three marks (two contested), four inside-50s and one goal, his performance was so much more.
In an era where many players win junk possessions with little influence on a game, Marshall’s performance was refreshing.
Not only did he play his most influential game in his short career, it was also his most effective — and he did it against one of the best defenders of all time, Eagles’ superstar Jeremy McGovern.
Over the past few years, McGovern has been a constant thorn in Port Adelaide’s side, whether it was starting score launches from deep inside the oppositions 50 or marking everything in sight.
Power coach Ken Hinkley has tried it all to stop him, but until Good Friday, he’s been unable to curb his influence.
Clubs are faced with two options in planning to limit McGovern’s influence — they can tag him or play through his man and make him accountable.
Port chose to make him accountable, and that player was Marshall.
Sure, a dominant Port midfield helped but McGovern wasn’t given the space he’s used to, dropping off and winning the aerial contest.
Instead, he had to defend Marshall one on one.
As Marshall’s confidence grew, he found himself outmarking the star defender as well as stifling his damaging rebound at the same time.
And that’s why Port must persist with their talented young forward.
There will be many ups and downs but history tells us young key-positions players and ruckmen take longer to develop. You just have to patient.
After Marshall had two quiet games to start the season, Hinkley sent him back to the SANFL to find form.
And while it was completely justified, he was clearly missed in the club’s back-to-back losses against Brisbane and Richmond.
In both matches, Port lacked a consistent aerial presence forward of centre. The key roles were left to Paddy Ryder and Justin Westhoff — and it did not work.
Westhoff is at his most valuable roaming the field using his aerial and running strength, not as a permanent forward. It’s no coincidence the recall of Marshall paid dividends, giving Port Adelaide a focal point in attack and in turn releasing Westhoff to roam free.
While Marshall is still inexperienced, he always offers his midfielders a target to kick to and he isn’t afraid to lead up to the wing to win the ball. He possesses strong sure hands, applies defensive pressure and is a reliable shot for goal — something sorely missing over the past few weeks at Alberton.
Drafted with the Power’s first selection at pick 16 in the 2016 draft — two selections ahead of Sam Powell-Pepper (18), it hasn’t been an easy road to AFL life for Port’s young key forward, who had to deal with a lot over the past 18 months.
No sooner had he debuted in Round 22 in 2017 to finish the season in the club’s best 22, he’s had to deal with the death of his mother, who had been battling cancer.
And after making a flying start to 2018, which saw him lead Port’s goalkicking with nine goals after four matches, Marshall tragically and unexpectedly lost his father, forcing him to take indefinite leave.
And when he did return, he injured his ankle, ending his year. Few people have had to deal with such tragic circumstances at such a young age.
To see him taking big strides on the field this season is heartwarming, it’s impossible to see Marshall not taking the AFL world by storm in the years to come.
Marshall is still five or six years away from playing his best football. The signs have always been there that he can seriously play and he’s starting to emerge.
But patience is a virtue as he gains body strength, develops his fitness levels and works on his forward craft.
With Charlie Dixon’s return still unknown, it is important Port Adelaide’s coaches keep the faith with their young protege.
Hinkley is armed with a young forward who reads the game well and isn’t afraid to attack the high ball — a necessity if the Power is going to springboard its season off the back of the stunning demolition of the reigning premier in Perth.
There were many great contributors against the Eagles but one player in particular showed he’s ready for more responsibility — Marshall.
Let’s back him in.
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