Todd Marshall has some AFL recruiters thinking he could end up the best player in this year’s draft

DOES your club need a forward? Todd Marshall has some AFL recruiters thinking he could end up the best player in this year’s draft. WATCH HIS HIGHLIGHTS.

TODD Marshall knew he didn’t belong in Greater Western Sydney’s talent academy.

The key forward who will be taken early in this month’s draft made headlines in May when the AFL declared Marshall ineligible in a landmark decision.

But the Deniliquin product says the ruling was mainly his choice — and the reasons were twofold.

“GWS are stacked with talent, key forwards especially, so it was more about opportunities and the best for my future footy,” Marshall said.

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“I was never really involved with them until that one NEAFL game. That was my first interaction with (academy coach) Jason Saddington and the other academy people.

“It was the last, too. It was pretty quick. They haven’t really developed me as a footballer, which is the main idea of an academy.

Todd Marshall playing for the Allies during the AFL Under 18 Championships. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“The perfect example is Harrison Macreadie. He’s been moved up to Sydney, getting scholarships at schools and he deserves to go to the Giants because they’ve put in the work.”

At a meeting between Marshall, his parents and the AFL’s Tristan Salter, it was decided the 198cm goalkicker would enter the open draft.

And it was celebrated as a major win for clubs. Why?

It denied the burgeoning Giants priority access to another future star and while Marshall might have only teased this season, his natural talent left recruiters drooling.

Where Marshall falls on draft night remains a mystery, but the Western Bulldogs would find it hard to pass him up if he’s available at pick 18.

At Whitten Oval he would learn from premiership stars Travis Cloke and Tom Boyd, before forming a long-term partnership with ruck-forward Boyd.

Experts agree Marshall has a touch of boom or bust about him, but some are thinking he could wind up the best player from this year’s pool.

Todd Marshall celebrates a goal during the AFL Under 18 Championships. Picture: Mark Dadswell

The slender spearhead can scoop the ball up off his toes or mark it at the highest point on the lead and models his game on Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch.

And the upside is massive. A scaphoid injury interrupted Marshall’s pre-season, restricting his strength work.

And until midway through last year, Marshall’s energies were focused on off-spin bowling.

But a dip in wickets on a cricket tour of the United Kingdom last year thrust Marshall back towards the Sherrin.

“I played junior footy at Deniliquin, but was always focused on cricket more,” Marshall said.

“The tour was the moment of my life. I loved the sights, but didn’t enjoy the cricket. I wasn’t performing well.”

The Demons fan grew up with Mike Hussey posters on the walls in summer and trading football cards in the winter, while his bowling transfer from quick to gangly spin bowler was rare.

“I had cricket training on a Sunday after footy on a Saturday. I was pretty sore from footy and still wanted to be involved, so went to the nets and bowled some offies and the coach just told me to stick with them.

Todd Marshall is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“I was an on-the-spot decision that worked out all right. (GWS academy star) Harry Perryman was my keeper in a few rep teams.”

Marshall joined Murray Bushrangers, where nephew Jake Marshall played last year, in the pre-season and burst onto the scene as a hot prospect.

As for his splash through the headlines during the academy scandal?

“It was a tough one. Your mates are talking about it and you’re getting tagged on Facebook. But you learn how to handle it,” Marshall said.

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“I read the articles and it felt like I was the bad guy and it was unbeknown to me what I did wrong.

“Wayne Campbell sent me a text saying it was out of my control and nothing went wrong, it was just a registration issue.

“That was nice of him and we left on good terms.”

Originally published as Todd Marshall has some AFL recruiters thinking he could end up the best player in this year’s draft