ROWAN Marshall will add another football guernsey to his burgeoning collection on Sunday.
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The Portland export is preparing for the AFL Victoria young guns game – an annual showcase which promotes emerging players from VFL, TAC Cup and local league levels.
Marshall, 19, has donned four jumpers already in a jam-packed 2015 season.
He mustered five VFL games for North Ballarat Roosters, won Sebastopol’s best and fairest despite playing just 10 games and played for Ballarat’s interleague side.
The young guns game will precede a week-long trip to Queensland, where he’ll represent Federation University at the annual university games.
The North Ballarat Rebels graduate’s long-term goal includes another guernsey – that of an AFL club.
Marshall will use the young guns game to boost his chances. Coburg defender Adam Saad was drafted to Gold Coast after shining in the feature match 12 months ago.
Marshall wants to play to his potential on Sunday.
I am in the gym six days a week, trying to put on size to compete against ruckmen at that level.
- Rowan Marshall
“I was pretty surprised (to be selected) but I will take it,” he said.
Marshall wants to cement his spot in North Ballarat’s best 22 next year alongside fellow ruckman Orren Stephenson.
He used his VFL debut season to learn from the former Geelong and Richmond tall.
“Learning under Big O was unreal,” Marshall said.
“It was pretty hard to come in this year because they had big Brayden Pruess, the North Melbourne rookie, and they get priority over us no matter what because they are (AFL) listed and have to play somewhere.”
Marshall already has his eyes on 2016.
“I just have to get stronger for next year,” he said.
“I am in the gym six days a week, trying to put on size to compete against ruckmen at that level. I am sitting at 95 kilograms at the moment and ideally I’d like to be 98kgs before pre-season.”