“Ross is the best in the business”: Former Saint endorses Lyon ruck plan

Former St Kilda ruckman Michael Gardiner believes the ruck-forward combination of Tom De Koning and Rowan Marshall is a masterstroke and will give the Saints a significant point of difference in 2026.

De Koning crossed to Moorabbin from Carlton at the end of 2025 as a restricted free agent, with the eight-year deal believed to be in the vicinity of $1.7 million per season.

Marshall, meanwhile, has made a significant impact in 156 games for the Saints. A 2016 Rookie Draft elevation (Pick 10), he has tallied 43 Brownlow votes, and finished in the top-six in the Trevor Barker Medal (club best and fairest award) the past three seasons.

According to Gardiner, the two-pronged attack will be formidable.

"I really think it will work, yeah. To me, Ross is the best in the business, so he would have worked it out," Gardiner, who played 52 games for St Kilda between 2008-2011 and was a member of the losing 2009 and 2010 grand final sides, told Zero Hanger.
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"They're both very good players that are versatile; they can play forward and in the ruck.

"I'm a strong believer that all good teams that are successful have very good ruckmen, so it's good to have two of them in that team."

For a couple of reasons, Gardiner claims De Koning's signature came at the perfect time.

Firstly, he is an incredibly talented player, one who will make the Saints a better team.

And, the removal of the substitute means clubs will now field 23 players, with five players named on the interchange bench.

"I do believe ruckmen are an important part of the game, so that new rule (five on the bench) does lend itself to having a couple of big guys in the team," Gardiner said.

"I think we will probably see a 50/50 split for them in terms of ruck and forward line. These things have a funny way of working themselves out throughout the year. The good thing is they are both capable of executing both roles at a high standard."

As well as De Koning, St Kilda has added experienced trio Jack Silvagni, Liam Ryan and Sam Flinders. They should slot nicely alongside one of the best players in the league, in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.

And with exciting youngsters like Mitch Owens, Alix Tauru, Darcy Wilson and Mattaes Phillipou, coupled with the prospect of an injury-free Max King, there's enough to fill long-suffering Saints fans with hope.

"They finished last season off really strongly, which was great, and they've recruited really well," said Gardiner.

"They've got a tremendous coaching panel down there, led by Ross, and I'm sure we will see some significant improvement this year and in years to come.

"There's plenty to like about them, and the fans should be excited."