St Kilda GM Discusses Rowan Marshall Trade and Future Plans
St Kilda's general manager of football, Lenny Hayes, confirmed that the club was willing to keep ruckman Rowan Marshall if Geelong did not provide its 2026 first-round draft pick. The Saints aimed to retain Marshall to work alongside Tom De Koning next season, but Marshall expressed a strong desire to join Geelong.
Ultimately, Marshall and a 2028 third-round draft pick were traded for Geelong's Pick 14. Hayes noted that negotiations included various trade options, including potential player swaps, but Geelong was firm on not wanting to part with certain players or the first-round pick.
St Kilda's trade period was relatively quiet, with the club acquiring Brisbane midfielder Sam Marshall while keeping two first-round picks for the upcoming draft. Hayes emphasized the importance of internal growth for the Saints, particularly highlighting the development of 2022 Pick 10 Mattaes Phillipou, who is expected to improve next season after recovering from injuries.
