Marshall - who was the club’s leading goalkicker in 2022 and runner-up in 2023 - signed the deal on Wednesday.
It was the culmination of a contract negotiation process started early in the new year, and highlights the tall forward’s importance to the side.
The former Deniliquin Rams junior was heading into the start of the 2024 season as a ‘pre-agent’, due to become a free agent at the end of the year.
But he has turned his back on free agency, completely settled and focused on a future with Port Adelaide.
At the Port Adelaide press conference on Wednesday, Marshall was clear on his desire to stay with the club.
“The club and my management group sort of had to work out the details of it.
“But yeah, there was never any thought in my mind of leaving this club.”
Comfortable at Alberton, Marshall said the club had become part of his family.
He said part of the decision to stay was due to the support it has provided him professionally and personally since joining as the 16th pick of the 2016 AFL National Draft.
“(There was) no ‘go home’ factor,” he said.
“My home town is Deniliquin, so even if I did go back to Melbourne it’s still three and a half or four hours anyway.
“I am really comfortable in Adelaide. My family loves getting over and visiting.”
Marshall said the five year deal offers him added security in his career.
“It’s good to get that security of five years. I guess it probably will take me through to the end of my career now.”
The 25 year-old sharpshooter kicked 45 goals in 2022 and 36 goals last season, even despite requiring post-season surgery on a hip injury.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley last week confirmed Marshall had returned to full training and had recovered from the injury he suffered towards the end of the season.
Addressing the surgery at this week’s conference, Marshall said “I’ve been back in main training for three or four weeks, so it’s been good to be back out there.”
It’s not just a playing deal Marshall has signed up for this week.
He was also bestowed leadership responsibilities ahead of the 2024 season, with the club seeing Marshall as a key part of their future.
“The whole club has got behind me, especially the players and I feel really integrated within this group.
“And I’m sort of moving into a leadership position now and putting a bit more responsibility on me.”
Moreover, the key forward is still young in AFL terms, coming into the prime of his career.
Every team is looking to consolidate their key forward position and Marshall’s combination of skill and size is a hot commodity in the AFL.
Now he has re-signed, Marshall will continue to contend for a premiership.
He plans to help his team in their quest for their second premiership since their AFL inception, and the 38th in the club’s storied history.
The club was near the top of the table for most of 2023, narrowly finishing third.
The side was then knocked out of finals due to close losses to both the Brisbane Lions and then the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
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