Now the Mount Isa product is headed overseas where he will get a taste of playing the sport at state level.

The 32-year-old has been selected in the Queensland Indigenous side which will fly to Hawaii next Tuesday to take on the Hawaiin All Stars.

After starting his career with Mount Isa Rugby League club Town in 1999 and showing exceptional talent, Marshall was signed by the Ipswich Jets in 2006.

He has been playing for the Jets ever since.

As a youngster, moving away from home and family was the inevitable step for Mount Isa stars who show sporting prowess at a young age.

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Marshall said he initially expressed trepidation about moving away from his family and friends, but it did not take him long to adapt to his new surroundings.

"It was a bit of a scary move for sure," he said.

"Once I started getting involved with training and playing matches, I didn't really have time to worry about it as much so I began to settle in a bit more."

At the time Marshall made the move to Ipswich, he was married with three children.

This meant the move also took its toll on his mother-in-law Nola Brack who was forced to say goodbye to her daughter and infant grandchildren.

"When I first heard about it, I wanted to throttle him," she laughed.

"I was happy for them but I knew it would be tough because they were going away without any family support and I think that's what a lot of these Mount Isa kids need when they head away to a city that's different."

Coupled with his new surroundings off the field was a much higher standard of rugby league than he was used to playing in his home town.

He said the constant competitiveness within the Jets squad has made him realise his full potential as a player.

"The play the game about ten times quicker over here and the training is much more full on," he said.

"There are about 30 guys all trying to get into the team so you are always pushing yourself to be better."

His initial hard work in Ipswich didn't take long to pay off, being part of the minor premiership team in 2008 and then playing in Queensland Cup grand final.

The Jets ended up losing the final by a point but Marshall still rates it as his favourite moment with the team.

"It was the biggest stage I've ever played on," he said.

"The stadium was packed and the atmosphere was just amazing."

Having been with the team six years, Marshall is now set to be joined by two more Mount Isa players with young players Billy McConnachie and Rohan Schulz recently signing with the Jets.

Brack said there was no better mentor for Schulz and McConnachie than her son in law.

"Both Rohan and Billy grew up watching him play and have looked up to him for a long time," she said.

"I'm sure he will play a big role in helping them make the transition."