AFL Mid-Season Draft 2023: Port Adelaide takes former Cat Quinton Narkle

While some clubs went for young talent, the Power added depth and AFL experience for its finals tilt as it seeks to capitalise on its strong start to the year.

Port Adelaide has added more depth and AFL experience for its finals tilt, selecting former Geelong midfielder/forward Quinton Narkle in the mid-season draft.

Seeking to capitalise on its 9-2 start and make a deep September run, the Power opted on Wednesday night to pick a 25-year-old who featured in three major-round games for the Cats across 41 total matches from 2017-2022.

Narkle has averaged 20.3 disposals (10.9 contested), 4.9 clearances, 4.7 score involvements and 2.9 inside 50s in nine appearances for Essendon’s VFL side this year.

The skilful, dashing West Australian is a second cousin and former schoolmate of Power forward Sam Powell-Pepper.

Port Adelaide national recruiting manager Geoff Parker said Narkle, selected at pick 11, was a mature body who could help the club now and in the future.

Quinton Narkle has joined the Power. Picture: Getty Images

“We were looking to add midfield and forward depth, and Quinton has experience in both these roles at AFL level,” Parker said.

“He’s got great character traits and is desperate for a second chance.

“We know he’ll do everything he can to make the most of this opportunity.”

Geelong recruited Narkle with pick 60 in the 2016 national draft but he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during his first season.

He made his AFL debut against the Western Bulldogs in round 15, 2018, then played in the Cats’ qualifying, semi and preliminary finals the next year.

Narkle’s most prolific season for Geelong was 2021, when he lined up in 16 games, seven times as the medical substitute.

The 181cm, 80kg talent managed eight matches last year, including three as an unused sub.

He trialled for a rookie spot at Richmond during the pre-season supplemental selection period, before landing at the Bombers.

Quinton Narkle (left) had been playing for Essendon’s VFL side. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

As he staked his AFL claims with the club’s VFL team, Narkle was also Essendon’s player development manager, working alongside ex-Bombers and Power ruckman Paddy Ryder.

Port Adelaide was linked with 18-year-old West Australian speedster Jed Hagan, now a member of the club’s SANFL side, but went for experience with its sole pick on Wednesday night.

He becomes Port Adelaide’s fourth mid-season draft selection, following in the footsteps of Cam Sutcliffe (2019), Jed McEntee (2021) and Brynn Teakle (2022).

Pressure forward McEntee has played 18 games in three seasons while becoming an important part of the Power’s eight-game winning streak, while Teakle has featured in six AFL matches.

Sutcliffe was delisted at the end of 2020 after nine games for the club and now captained Port’s SANFL side.

Adelaide did not participate in the mid-season draft because it did not have a vacant list spot.