WA duo Jonathon Marsh and Nathan Broad earn semi-final call-up for St Kilda - Richmond clash

Former East Fremantle star Jonathon Marsh has become the fairytale story of this year’s AFL finals after being selected by St Kilda for tomorrow night’s semi-final against Richmond at Metricon Stadium.

Marsh will make his finals debut almost four years to the day since asking to leave Collingwood due to mental health battles.

The 24-year-old played 15 games for the Magpies but returned to Perth despite still having a contract. He continued playing for the Sharks in the WAFL and then flew back to Victoria and signed to play with Richmond’s VFL team in 2018.

But St Kilda pounced, signed him during the supplemental selection period and tomorrow he will make his finals debut against the Tigers.

Marsh had played only five games this season, but one of those was against Richmond in round four. He kicked one goal that day and, while the Saints have named him in the back pocket, forwards coach Brendon Lade indicated he would spend time in attack.

“He kicked 1.1 (last time against Richmond) so we’re looking forward to him doing that again,” Lade said.

“He’s explosive, very good when the ball is on the ground and can change a game very quickly. Hopefully he can have a lot of possessions where he does that.

“He had a good chat to Ratts early in the piece about staying ready. You don’t know when you might have to come in and be a back up for Tim (Membrey) or Max (King). In the end it’s been Paddy Ryder. We are really excited about what he can bring.”

The Saints made three changes after losing Jake Carlisle (personal), Paddy Ryder (hamstring) and Ben Long (suspension). Josh Battle returned from injury and St Kilda also recalled Shane Savage despite him playing only one home and away match this season.

Richmond made two changes. Key forward Tom Lynch will bolster the forward line after recovering from a hamstring injury and WA’s Nathan Broad will play his first game since round 15.

They replaced Mabior Chol and Jake Aarts.

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St Kilda coach Brett Ratten said he’d encouraged all of his players to dream big during finals and seize every moment that came their way.

“We’ve spoken about everybody’s opportunity,” Ratten said.

“Finals series are about (not mattering) whether it’s your first final or your first game for the year. When you look through history it is littered with people who have come in and had an impact.

“All the way back to Dermott (Brereton’s debut in 1982), you can go back to 1995 with Matty Hogg (won a premiership after only playing one home-and-away game for the season) and last year it was Pickett for the Tigers (winning a premiership on debut). People are going to get these opportunities.”