AFL delistings and news: Quinton Narkle prepares to join Fremantle, Port Adelaide cut five players

Port Adelaide cut five players from their list on Monday, but one of them is already preparing to join a fresh club. ELIZA REILLY has the details.

Quinton Narkle (left) and Willie Rioli of the Power. Picture: Getty Images

Fremantle has confirmed its interest in former Geelong and Port Adelaide forward Quinton Narkle as he prepares to join close friend Shai Bolton at the club.

Narkle has played 16 games in two seasons at Port, including 13 this season. But despite playing in the club’s preliminary final loss, Narkle was under pressure to keep his spot on the list after being named sub eight times.

The 26-year-old attracted interest during the AFL trade period but is set to move back to Western Australia after the Power confirmed his delisting on Monday.

“We’ve certainly got an interest,” Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick said.

“It’s early days.

“Obviously Quinton has been delisted but it’s something we’ll pursue in coming weeks I’d say.”

Quinton Narkle could be off to Fremantle. Picture: Getty Images

Part of the pitch is sure to be Narkle’s long-standing friendship with Dockers recruit Bolton. Not only did the pair attend Wesley College together but Narkle’s cousin is also Bolton’s partner.

The Dockers have three picks in the AFL draft in 14, 30 and 67. It’s expected that Fremantle will use them all which means Narkle’s AFL lifeline is set to come via the Supplemental Selection Period.

Narkle started his career at Geelong, playing 41 games for the Cats before being delisted at the end of 2022.

Good mates Shai Bolton and Quinton Narkle can link up at the Dockers. Picture: Getty Images

POWER ANNOUNCE DELISTINGS AS WA CLUBS CIRCLE DUO

- Matthew Forrest

Port Adelaide has delisted five players, including contracted defender Tom Clurey, as part of sweeping changes to its list.

Former Cats duo Quinton Narkle and Francis Evans, who were both delisted by Geelong, joined uncapped key position players Tom Scully and Kyle Marshall.

Clurey said he was hopeful he could extend his playing career, having played just one game in the past two seasons.

“I’ve loved my time at Port Adelaide but now it’s time to move on and see what other opportunities exist for me to extend my AFL career,” he said.

Tom Clurey has departed the Power. Picture: Getty Images

“Over the last 12 months the club has moved in a different direction with its defensive structure and personnel.

“Whilst I understand this, I still feel as though I have more to offer.”

Coach Ken Hinkley said Clurey was a no-fuss defender he could rely on.

“We identified him as a player who could provide flexibility for us in the back half and he did that more across his 124-game career,” he said.

“There was never much fuss with Tom, and he didn’t seek the limelight. He just got on with his job and rarely let us down, often matching up on much bigger sized forwards.”

Narkle joined Port Adelaide in the mid-season draft last year and played 16 games for the Power, including all three finals this year.

Fremantle will pursue Quinton Narkle, while Clurey was linked with West Coast during the trade period.

Evans was a delisted free agent signing at the start of the 2023 season and played 27 games for Port Adelaide, with 17 coming this season.

The Power have now made eight changes to their list, after Tom McCallum was delisted and Charlie Dixon and Trent McKenzie retired earlier this month.

Originally published as AFL delistings and news: Quinton Narkle prepares to join Fremantle, Port Adelaide cut five players