Why St Kilda ruckman isn’t having the clearance impact that his stats suggest

While St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall has been one of the AFL’s highest clearance players in 2024, how much impact is he really having with that stat?

That was the question on the mind of Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne as Marshall averages 6.4 clearances in 2024 to go with 21.4 disposals, 27.5 hitouts and 5.6 inside 50s.

While Marshall ranks sixth in total clearances league-wide in 2024, Hoyne thinks his willingness to move the ball from congestion himself could be costing the team.

He revealed that St Kilda are the second least damaging team in the competition from clearance, with only North Melbourne worse in that aspect of the game.

“Not very,” Hoyne said on SEN’s Sportsday in regards to how much impact Marshall was having with his clearances.

“The reality is for St Kilda at the moment is they are the second least damaging team from clearance. Only North Melbourne get a worse scoreboard return from their clearances.

“To put that into further context, his performance against Hawthorn the week before he had 23 contested possessions but didn’t have one score involvement. That’s never been done before in a game of footy.

“The numbers on the surface at times can look good and can potentially wow you, but once you dig a little bit deeper there’s a little bit more in it.”

Even though Marshall ranks inside the top 10 for total inside 50s, centre clearances, contested possessions, clearances and stoppage clearances, he also ranks sixth in clangers as his ball use isn’t having the effect the Saints would hope.

Marshall has had 64 clearances in 2024. Jack Steele ranks second for the Saints with 59 before there’s a huge drop-off to third with Marcus Windhager having 33 to his name.

The 3-7 Saints next face the Demons at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.