St Kilda rookie Rowan Marshall has laid the foundations to ‘flourish’ in his second season in the AFL system, according to Senior Assistant Coach Rohan Welsh.

The 201cm ruckman-forward broke through for an AFL debut against Sydney late last season, following a strong season at Sandringham, where he played 16 games after being selected with pick No. 10 in the 2016 Rookie Draft.

Welsh, who is coaching the forwards this year after three years as the Saints' backline coach, said the athletic tall is pressing his case to play more senior football in 2018.

“There’s no doubt he would have got some confidence out of playing well in the VFL. He got a taste of senior footy late in the year as well,” Welsh told saints.com.au.

“He’s shown signs on the track and in the VFL for the best part of a year, so we know what we’re going to get from him.

“If he can continue to work hard on the track and in the gym, listen to the more experienced players and the coaches, then he can really flourish this year. He’s one to watch this space with.”

Welsh said Marshall’s desire to get the most out of himself has been impressive this summer, drawing attention to his work with goal kicking coach Ben Dixon and ruck coach Adam Skrobalak.

“Rowan has been very impressive this pre-season. He loves the work rate, he’s a sponge that listens to everything you say and just wants to learn and get better,” Welsh said.

“He’s spent plenty of time in the gym this summer and got a lot stronger as a result of that work.

“He’s constantly working on his goal kicking with ‘Dicko’ and he’s doing midfield stuff with ‘Skrobber’ that’s going to help him in the contest.

“Rowan is still in a real learning phase, but I think what we’re starting to see what kind of footballer he can be.”

Marshall was rewarded for his first year at Linen House Centre with a two-year contract extension at the start of last September.