Denis Marshall (footballer)

Deniston Clive Marshall (born 17 October 1940) is a former Australian rules footballer who represented in the West Australian National Football League (WANFL) and  in the Victorian Football League (VFL) from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Family
The son of George Watson Marshall, and Sylvie Marshall, née Tuxford, Deniston Clive Marshall was born at Beaconsfield, Western Australia on 17 October 1940. He married Wendy Dorothy Boulding in 1964.

His grandfather, Gordon Tuxford, had captained in the 1920s.

Western Australia
Marshall was already a star while playing for the Mosman Park Juniors. Marshall made his senior debut with in 1958. Marshall won four best and fairest awards with Claremont and was runner up in the 1962 Sandover Medal award for the fairest and best player in the WANFL.

Victoria
Controversially recruited to Victorian side Geelong in 1964,  he was eventually cleared, and was an immediate success  making his debut (kicking one of Geelong's six goals) against Footscray on 6 June 1964.

Marshall's stay in Victoria was brief, playing just 84 games over five seasons (1964 to 1968). He won Geelong's best-and-fairest in 1966, and was second in the Brownlow Medal in 1968 before returning to Perth at the age of 27.

Interstate football
He represented his State in that first year. He went on to represent Western Australia 14 times during his career — and represented Victoria a further eight times in interstate matches.

He was selected in the All-Australian Team following the 1966 Hobart Carnival.

Halls of fame
In 2004 he was inducted into both the WA Football Hall of Fame and the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Post playing career
After retiring, Marshall worked in real estate development. He founded the popular Perth gay nightclub Connections on the suggestion of a friend.

In February 2008 it was reported that Marshall's property had been attacked during the night.