Australian Football

Deniston Marshall was one of those rare footballers who exhibit genuine mastery of all the skills of the game. Quick and tough, Marshall kicked impeccably with both feet, was a superb exponent of handball, and was an excellent, and prolific, mark taker.

After making his league debut with Claremont in 1958 as a 17-year-old Marshall quickly blossomed into a polished and versatile performer. In 1958 he won the first of five club best and fairest awards (four with Claremont, one with Geelong) and was selected to represent Western Australia for the first time. He would go on to play a total of 23 interstate matches, 15 for his home state, and eight for the VFL. In 1961 he was a member of Western Australia’s historic Brisbane carnival winning side.

Between 1964 and 1968 Marshall further enhanced his reputation with consistently eye catching and damaging performances for Geelong. He also achieved All Australian selection after representing the VFL at the 1966 Hobart carnival.

In 1969, after a prolonged clearance wrangle, Marshall returned home to Claremont, where he played out the remainder of his 15-season, 259 game league career. His last ever appearance came in Claremont’s losing 1972 Grand Final team, meaning that, sadly, he never had the satisfaction of playing in a premiership-winning combination.

Author - John Devaney