Former Collingwood recruiter Matt Rendell has floated Todd Marshall’s name as possible collateral in a deal that would send Jason Horne-Francis to the Power.
The news of Horne-Francis’s trade request surprised many, with the signing of Alastair Clarkson and subsequent influx of players presumed enough to keep the 19-year-old at Ardern Street for the time being.
Ultimately the pull of South Australia, where Horne-Francis grew up and played all of his football prior to the Kangaroos, proved too enticing for the youngster and the Power are understandably keen to secure his services.
Speaking on SEN SA’s The Run Home, Rendell outlined his proposal for the deal.
“Obviously pick 8 goes out (from Port), I think it’s also their first-round pick next year, he said.
“The first thing I should say if I’m North, after Horne-Francis told (Port) that he wants to go back to Adelaide, I would’ve taken ten seconds to ring Todd Marshall’s manager and find out where he sits.
“I’m tipping he’s probably on 400k with two years to go on his contract, I say I’ll give you six years at 700k. He’s actually a player North desperately need.”
Marshall, who turns 24 in October, has made 76 appearances with the Power since making his debut in 2017, booting 76 goals as a foil for fellow tall forward Charlie Dixon.
He enjoyed a breakout year in 2022 to boot 45 goals in 21 games, 21 more majors than in 2021 from the same number of appearances.
He kicked three or more goals on seven ocassions this year to establish himself as one of the competition's best young key forwards.
Rendall believes that the Murray Bushrangers product would be invaluable to the Kangaroos who are in desperate need of a key forward.
“If I was North, that’s what I would’ve done, to see whether he is gettable in a trade. It makes a lot of sense for North because they are desperate for a key forward," he said.
Nick Larkey (38) and Cam Zurhaar (34) were the only Roos to kick over 20 goals in 2022, with Larky particularly struggling with the best key defender on occasions.