Todd Marshall says he’s proud to reach 100 AFL games for Port Adelaide, but he may not fully realise the gravity of the milestone until he retires. 

After kicking four goals last weekend, Marshall is feeling positive ahead of Saturday night’s clash against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval. 

Marshall spoke on the significance of the moment for him and his family, as well as how senior coach Ken Hinkley has influenced his life and career. 

Marshall on reaching 100 AFL games 
“I'm excited, it's early in the week but I guess Connor celebrated his 100th last year and seeing how much it means to other people is the main thing. For me, my family are proud and I saw some of my family in Melbourne on the weekend and they're all looking forward to this weekend. Individually it's something I'm going to be really proud of, looking back on my career when I'm done and however many more games I play, I'll always be able to say I'm a 100-game player for Port Adelaide. I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be exciting. 

“I think my brothers and sisters are popping over (for my 100th game). My aunties and uncle were able to come to the game last weekend, which was good. I'm not sure if they're heading over but there will be a bit of family there so I'm looking forward to it.” 

Marshall on winning for Travis Boak’s 350th  
“It was really important, we had a few past players come in during the week that highlighted how important it is to win those milestone games. I think our first half was probably a little bit off but we sort of rectified that in the second half and to be able to celebrate Trav's career and what he's done for us was really important so it was good to come out on top.” 

Marshall on kicking four against Richmond 
“The team started a bit slow in the first half and I probably wasn’t getting to as many contests as I needed to as a tall forward. At the break, we really cleared up what Chad (Cornes) wanted from me and what Ken (Hinkley) wanted from me and it made it a bit more simple going out on the field and I was able to get on the end of a few. As a team, we to be able to score how we did in the second half is what we want to be able to do. 

“I think I just try and play within the team and if I get on the end of a mark that's good. I think just trying to get shots on goal as a team and individually getting marks inside 50 and trying to finish my work is something I pride myself on. I want to keep kicking goals, not points.” 

Marshall on recovering from hip surgery 
“It was a different pre-season for me. It was my first surgery and my first pre-season where I couldn’t get going from November or December when we start. It took a little while to get back into form and be in full training. I obviously missed the first practice match and played the second one so it's been a bit of a slow start to the year but the last couple of weeks has been good getting that match fitness in.” 

Marshall on his AFL debut in 2017 
“I remember being an immature 18-year-old who probably wasn't ready for AFL football at the time. I think my third game was an elimination final against West Coast so I got that experience early and then over the next 90-odd games I've been able to keep building my confidence and finding my place within the team. It's been a long eight years to get to 100 but I'm glad to be here.” 

Marshall on his relationship with Ken Hinkley 
“My first year, he trusted me to play those games and then what happened with mum and dad, being able to come back to the club and come back to Adelaide, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play footy or what I wanted to do. He gets talked about as a father figure and for me, that's definitely the case. My relationship with him is really close and really personal. We check on each other, how we're going outside of football and I think that helps me on the field knowing he has my back.” 

Marshall on why he elected to extend at Port Adelaide back in February 
“The culture, the playing group now. Obviously Zak and Connor as (vice-captain and captain), it's quite a young leadership group and I feel quite integrated in that and I feel a massive part of that. I guess going forward, I think we still have our best years ahead of us so to be able to be a part of that and to settle down in Adelaide is something I wanted. For the club to back me in with a five-year contract is something I'm really grateful for and I'm looking forward to playing the rest of my career here.” 

Marshall on taking on Melbourne this weekend 
“They're playing some good footy at the moment. I was able to watch some of their game on the weekend. We know what they bring, they're a contested side and their defence is really strong. It will be a challenge for us, we're going to have to be a bit sharper than we were in the first half on the weekend. We back our football, we back our offence and defence so I think if we match them in the contest, which is their strength, hopefully we can deliver on the outside and score against them.” 

Action gets underway from 7pm (ACDT) at Adelaide Oval tomorrow night, click here for tickets.