Danielle Marshall makes Royal return

Essendon Royals are proud to announce the signing of Dani Marshall for the upcoming season. 

Marshall returns to the Royals after initially playing for the club in the 2021 season, where she scored five goals in nine games and previously played College soccer for Colorado School of Mines. 

The American spent the last four years playing Australian Rules football for both the Western Bulldogs and Essendon’s AFLW sides, making 23 appearances before announcing her retirement at the end of last season.

Her arrival provides steel to the Royals midfield this season, as she returns to the club ahead of Essendon’s journey in NPLW Victoria in 2024.

“I took a break from high level sport to get married and work. I recently retired from the AFLW which was what brought me to Melbourne,” Marshall explained about her move to Australia.

“I live in Essendon which is why I played with the Royals back in 2021. I originally came to the Royals because it was the closest club to where I live. I stayed at the Royals because of their dedication to womens soccer and their desire to put out the best team possible.

“I love training at Royals because everyone is a great player and we get a lot out of training just learning from each other.”

It’s Marshall’s first season playing in Victoria’s top flight, having played for the Royals while they were in State League One three years ago, and is excited about the challenge of facing some of the state’s best this season.

“I’m expecting to be competitive in the NPLW,” she said.

“We are really coming together as a team and will be exciting to watch.”