Port Adelaide forward Todd Marshall’s touching tribute to dad Robert
TEENAGE Port Adelaide forward Todd Marshall has paid tribute to his late dad, saying he will never forget the moment the pair shared when he made his AFL debut in Ballarat last year.
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TEENAGE Port Adelaide forward Todd Marshall has paid a touching tribute to his late dad, saying he will never forget the moment the pair shared when he made his AFL debut in Ballarat last year.
“Will never lose this moment. I love you dad. Watch over us with mum,’’ Marshall wrote on Instagram following the sudden death of dad Robert on Monday night.
Robert’s passing comes just six months after Marshall, 19, lost his mum, Mary, to cancer.
At the time, Marshall described Mary as his “biggest fan’’.
Robert and Mary were at Marshall's debut in round 22 last year against the Western Bulldogs at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium.
The 198cm key forward kicked one goal in his three games last year, including the extra-time elimination final loss to West Coast, and is the Power’s leading goalkicker this season with nine in four matches.
He missed the round five defeat to Geelong with concussion after being hurt against Essendon the previous week.
Marshall, who is highly rated by Port after being selected at pick 16 at the 2016 national draft, has been granted indefinite leave away from the club to deal with his dad’s passing.
A star junior cricketer, Marshall hails from Deniliquin in NSW’s Riverina district.
He has returned home to be with family, which includes older siblings Tony, Janelle, Luke and Sam, who are aged between 22 and 40.
All were on hand to watch Marshall make his AFL debut against the Bulldogs.
Marshall, who recently signed a two-year contract extension with Port that ties him to the club until the end of the 2020 season, was granted leave away from the club last year when his mum was battling cancer before she passed away in October.
“She was my biggest fan and I miss her so much,’’ Marshall told The Advertiser in February.
“I’m just glad that she saw my (AFL) debut. That was one of my proudest moments.
“It was tough seeing mum so sick and I used footy as a bit of an escape during the year.
“Obviously a lot of things happened last year for me but the club — and the (Port) boys — were absolutely brilliant.
“They understand a lot of things and the club’s very close.’’
In a statement, the Power said: “The thoughts and best wishes of the Port Adelaide Football Club community are with Todd Marshall and his family after the sad passing of Todd’s father, Robert.
“Todd will take indefinite leave from the club to return home and be with his loved ones and will be unavailable for selection during this time.’’
The Power plays North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
andrew.capel@news.com.au
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