Times change and State Opposition Leader Steven Marshall is a Redlegs fan now
IF someone had told State Opposition Leader Steven Marshall 20 years ago he'd be barracking for Norwood in an SANFL Grand Final, he'd never have believed them.
IF someone had told State Opposition Leader Steven Marshall 20 years ago he'd be barracking for Norwood in an SANFL Grand Final, he'd never have believed them.
Marshall grew up in Ethelton as a Port Adelaide supporter, but times change.
A Norwood resident his entire adult life and the local member since 2010, Marshall finds himself cheering for the Magpies' most hated rival these days.
He's developed relationships with several of the Redlegs camp, playing darts with coach Nathan Bassett on occasion and receiving personal training sessions from Jesse Aish.
"I've been out here for 20 years, am a member of the club and have struggled through a bit of training over there on Tuesday and Thursday mornings," Marshall said.
"Nathan has been outstanding ... you could see the change at the club as soon as he arrived. He's just a very organised, methodical and systematic kind of guy and has a huge amount of respect from the players."
Marshall is backing the Legs to defeat North Adelaide at AAMI Stadium this Sunday and hopes it's not the end of the Bassett era.
"I think Norwood will go back to back ... and then hopefully keep Nathan again next year," he said.
"I said to him last week when I caught up with him, 'if you stay on for another year and win the premiership you automatically become the mayor of Norwood'."
Marshall is in no doubt who is the more popular man on The Parade.
"I think Nathan definitely," Marshall said. "People are really grateful for what he's done."
Bassett said he was happy to have the Liberal politician on his side.
"His background is a little bit different to the average politician," Bassett said.
"From my experience he comes across as a good guy who is interested in helping South Australia get better."