The Brisbane Lions have confirmed premiership midfielder Sam Marshall has requested a trade to St Kilda, with the club saying it will seek an outcome that reflects his true value after two seasons and a 2025 flag.
In a club statement published on Thursday, Brisbane said Marshall — a 2025 premiership player — wants to move to the Saints, hours after the Lions also announced that coach Chris Fagan would step down following the club’s three-peat (covered by TSB in our Fagan departure report).
Lions confirm Saints request
“The Brisbane Lions confirm premiership midfielder Sam Marshall has requested to be traded to St Kilda,” the club said.
“Marshall has played 13 games – including the 2025 Premiership, across two seasons since being selected in the first round of the 2024 draft as a graduate of the Youi Brisbane Lions Academy.
“The club respects Marshall’s request to be traded, and will work towards facilitating an outcome that best reflects true value to the Brisbane Lions for the 20-year-old.”
Saints over Essendon
According to AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey, Marshall weighed interest from Essendon and St Kilda before nominating the Saints, having also attracted some interest from Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.
AFL.com.au reported the 20-year-old played 11 games in 2025, including the Grand Final, but managed only two AFL appearances in 2026. Drafted at pick 25 in 2024 — outside the top-20 band that triggers standard three-year deals for draftees — his two-year Lions contract has ended. He is not a free agent, so a trade between Brisbane and St Kilda is still required.
Zero Hanger reported Marshall dominated at VFL level this season, averaging 25 disposals and 4.8 marks across 16 matches, while Fox Sports’ Trade Whispers likewise framed St Kilda as his preferred destination over Essendon.
The request lands in the same trade window as dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale’s free-agency move toward Collingwood, another major piece of Brisbane’s recent era shifting. Free agency opens Friday 9am AEST; Marshall’s path remains a negotiated trade unless clubs later agree otherwise.
TSB will update if Brisbane and St Kilda lock in a deal, or if either club releases further detail on draft compensation.
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- AFL: Pedlar Requests Trade from Adelaide to Port Adelaide
- AFL: Longmire Leaves Swans for Essendon GM of Performance Role
- AFL: Lions Steal Three-Peat With Late Four-Goal Burst as Bolton Wins Norm Smith in Defeat
