The West Australian, who arrived at the club with pick 46 in the 2012 National Draft, has earnt his chance in the pre-season competition following an outstanding training block over the last three months, including shaving more than 30 seconds off his three kilometre time-trial time.
The 20-year-old midfielder’s form over the summer has been a huge turnaround from his first year at the club, where he struggled to adapt to the fitness levels required to play AFL at the elite level.
Marsh also battled ongoing injuries in 2013, including a season ending hamstring injury, which limited him to less than 10 games for the Swans reserves.
Speaking to SwansTV about his improvements in the early stages of this year, Marsh said he knew he had a lot of hard work ahead of him following what he described as a disappointing first year at the club.
“There was a fair bit to change from when I first got here,” he said.
“I think one of the biggest factors was just game fitness.
“I hadn’t done a full pre-season at any sort of level, so that was one of the main reasons why I didn’t play last year.
“This year I really had a good off-season and a good pre-season … and now I’ve finally got my opportunity.
“I’m very pumped to finally get out there and I’m really looking forward to the (NAB Challenge)”
Marsh has attracted plenty of praise over the summer months from the Swans’ coaching staff and players alike and has been touted as one of the big improvers at the club in 2014.
Standing at 188 centimetres, he is being groomed as a big-bodied midfielder and hopes to play in the mould of Swans star, Josh Kennedy.
“I’ve been playing mostly as an inside midfielder, so I’ve been pretty happy with that,” he said.
“Obviously Josh is one of the best players in the game and one of the best clearance players as well.
“I just need to keep doing the best I can and hopefully I can keep working at it and hold my position.”
Marsh, who proudly wears former Swans co-captain Brett Kirk’s famous number 31 guernsey, said he expected the NAB Challenge to be a major increase in intensity from the NEAFL competition.
“I think it’s just my work rate,” he said.
“The games are another step up or level up, so it’s just about adapting to the game and getting my head around the game plan and everything like that.”
This year’s NAB Challenge is proving to be a big one for the Marsh family, with Harry’s younger brother Jonathon already taking the field for Collingwood last Wednesday night.
After spending a year away from his brother following his move to Sydney, Marsh said he couldn’t have been prouder to see his little brother get some game time – even if it was a week before his first match.
“I wasn’t disappointed that he got there first, I was very happy for him,” he said.
“For him to get out there and have a run around was really good and I enjoyed watching him.
“I was just stoked for him when he got picked up by Collingwood and I think he’s at a great club so hopefully he can do well there.
“I’m sure he’ll be watching me this week as well.”
