Todd Marshall excluded from GWS Giants talent academy

EXCITING key forward Todd Marshall will be available to all clubs on AFL Draft night after he was excluded from the controversial GWS Giants academy.

Todd Marshall (left) in action for the Deniliquin Rams. Picture: Aaron Cook

THE AFL withdrew Todd Marshall from Greater Western Sydney’s draft clutches in the first sign the league will police growing fears surrounding the club’s talent academy.

Marshall is now ineligible for the Giants’ academy and will be available for every club to draft with stragglers Essendon, Fremantle, Brisbane Lions and Collingwood all crying out for a young goalkicker.

The 198cm Deniliquin key forward kicked four goals for NSW on Sunday, but only recently registered with GWS after spending the past two winters bowling off-spin in England.

Marshall boasts explosive pace and is already rated a top-15 pick.

This year’s draft is flush with midfielders but light on for talls and some believe Marshall will blossom as the premier big man.

A frustrated GWS believed it had obeyed AFL rules and should have retained priority access to Marshall.

But the Giants will still seize two of this year’s top-five talents with Caulfield Grammar’s Will Setterfield and Harrison Macreadie bound for the burgeoning club through its contentious academy.

Will Setterfield in action for Sandringham in the TAC Cup. Picture: Jason Sammon

The Giants could still draft Marshall, but would no longer receive the 20 per cent discount and instead appear more likely to cash in any early picks for those academy stars.

The landmark Marshall ruling was revealed by the Herald Sun and celebrated by clubs.

But recruiters warned “it’s a bit of a bandaid on a bullet wound” as the Giants have plenty more talent on the way.

In a memo to club recruiters and list managers the AFL said a registration technicality was the reason for Marshall’s ineligibility, but his limited contact with GWS was perceived as the No. 1 factor.

“The decision by the AFL for Marshall to enter the draft was made in consultation with his family, and taking into consideration the individual circumstances surrounding his process of registration,” the memo read.

Giants football manager Wayne Campbell and academy coach Jason Saddington met the AFL this week after lodging development plans for all their prospects, including Marshall, this month.

Todd Marshall in action for Deniliquin Rams. Picture: AARON COOK

The Herald Sun revealed last week clubs were angry with the Giants’ priority access to Marshall given they believed the western Sydney club had done little to develop his football potential.

It’s a bit of a bandaid on a bullet wound.

This is Marshall’s first full football season and he has booted nine goals from three TAC Cup matches for Murray Bushrangers as well as spending time in the ruck.

Officials from the Giants’ 17 rivals have now told the Herald Sun they want the Giants’ access to the Riverina rich recruiting area reviewed.

GWS employs three fulltime coaches for its academy, which includes about 650 kids in NSW.

Originally published as Todd Marshall excluded from GWS Giants talent academy