Port Adelaide forward Todd Marshall says he was ‘humbled’ by the crowd support on Thursday night

YOUNG Port Adelaide forward Todd Marshall says he was humbled by the sentiment shown towards him by the Power crowd on Thursday night as he made an emotional return to AFL football.

Fans gather around Todd Marshall as he goes down the race after the win over the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Sarah Reed.

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YOUNG Port Adelaide forward Todd Marshall says he was humbled by the sentiment shown towards him by the Power crowd on Thursday night as he made an emotional return to AFL football.

Six weeks after taking indefinite leave from the club to deal with the passing of his father, which came six months after losing his mother to cancer, Marshall played his first AFL game in the 57-point win over the Western Bulldogs.

At the 13th minute of the first quarter, the crowd gave their No.13 a standing ovation and even rival Hayden Crozier made his way towards Marshall to pat him on the back.

The 19-year-old came tantalisingly close to kicking a goal when he missed two set shots in the first quarter then his teammates couldn’t quite find him with a pass in the last that if he converted would have triggered a tsunami of support.

But he still left the ground a winner and was embraced by teammates and friends in the rooms after the game as he now looks to make the high-half-forward spot at Port Adelaide his own.

“Love this club,” Marshall wrote on Instagram on Friday morning.

“Thank you to the fans, last night was very humbling.”

13th minute applause for @PAFC's #13.

The whole footy world is with you, @toddmarshalll.#AFLPowerDogs pic.twitter.com/5iFQYf9wiO

— AFL (@AFL) June 14, 2018

Teammate Sam Gray said he knew the applause at the 13th minute mark of the opening term was coming and it was a touching moment.

“I saw it earlier on that they (crowd) were going to do it but then I forgot about it until the 13th minute mark when everyone started clapping,” Gray said.

“That was a really touching moment for us and for Toddy.

“Footy clubs are probably the best place to be around when that sort of stuff happens, we’re one big family here and everyone has put their arms around Toddy and we just love having him around.

“Footy is awesome like that and for Toddy to come back tonight and play his role, he’s going to get better each week as he gets more confidence back.”

Power vice-captain Ollie Wines said the gesture for Marshall was “super special by our supporters”.

“No 19-year-old old kid has to go through what Todd’s gone through,” Wines told FIVEaa on Friday morning.

“It’s a testament to his family and to his parents how well he’s handled it and gone through it.

“It was so good to see him back out there… I think in these situations a football environment, there’s no better place.”

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