Fremantle’s Quinton Narkle heads to Darwin after calling time on AFL career
An NTFL powerhouse club has added another string to its bow with the announcement of recently retired Quinton Narkle. Here’s the latest big signing news.
Reigning NTFL premiers Southern Districts have announced Quinton Narkle as their newest big name recruit bolstering their chances of going back-to-back.
The pacey midfielder who recently announced his retirement from the AFL after stints at Geelong, Port Adelaide and Fremantle was among the hottest properties on the NTFL market.
There was plenty of speculation on where he could end up after he announced he and his young family had moved to Darwin, however he has found home at the Crocs based in Fred’s Pass.
Southern Districts president Kevin Mulvahil said the club were thrilled to have the talented player with more than 50 games of AFL experience on-board.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have someone of Quinton’s calibre joining us,” he said.
“He’s a high-quality player who’s hungry to play good footy and contribute to the team.
“It says a lot about our club that players like Quinton want to be part of what we’re building here at SDFC.”
He joins other former AFL Players Jed Anderson, Steven Motlop and Jarrod Brander at the Crocs.
Three clubs in hunt for Darwin-bound ex-AFL player
Where Quinton Narkle will end up in the NTFL is a question on many minds in the Top End footy community and there’s more than a few clubs in contention for his signature.
The footy journeyman called time on his AFL career which included stints at Geelong, Port Adelaide and, most recently, Fremantle across nine seasons.
As he announced his departure he confirmed he and his young family will be heading to Darwin, where his partner Taylah Cubillo is from.
That opens the door for the 27-year-old to play in the NTFL this season, with his partner’s last name drawing connections to Wanderers.
There’s also an obvious connection with Nightcliff where his best mate and Tigers junior Brandan Parfitt returned last year after his delisting from Geelong.
But another option has emerged as a potential favourite with Southern Districts rumoured to be in the hunt for not just Narkle, but a steal on Parfitt too.
If that does come true the reigning premiers will strengthen a list already likely among the early favourites to take out the 2025-26 season.
It would also add two more former AFL players to a team that last year fielded Motlop, Jed Anderson, Tom Clurey and Jarrod Brander.
Narkle followed Motlop’s path from Geelong to Port Adelaide, and could share a third club with the Territorian.
There will also be a contest for the signing of Willie Rioli, who recently retired from Port Adelaide, with both St Mary’s and the Tiwi Bombers likely to be in the chase.
AFL journeyman among hottest properties on the market for NTFL season
Journeyman Quinton Narkle has called time on his AFL career but a move to Darwin will have plenty of Top End clubs eager to get him on-board for the upcoming NTFL season.
Narkle was drafted by Geelong in 2016, however an ACL rupture in June the following year meant he did not his debut until Round 15 of the 2018 season.
The midfielder impressed coach Chris Scott on debut and went on to play 41 games for the Cats before he was delisted in 2022.
Port Adelaide picked him up in the 2023 midseason draft where he played 16 games between that season and 2024 before another delisting.
He was then signed as an SSP by Fremantle playing for the side in Round 7 and 8 of the 2025 season and featuring in 12 matches for WAFL side Peel Thunder.
But earlier this week he announced his retirement stating his plans to relocate with his young family to Darwin.
Narkle’s partner is Taylah Cubillo, who comes from the Top End, with the Cubillo name a famous one in Territory sport.
If he’s willing to play he will become a top prospect for many NTFL clubs, with Wanderers famously where the Cubillo family calls home.
“I’m feeling quite content with the decision and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead in a place that’s very special to us,” Narkle said on his retirement.
“I’m very grateful that I’ve played AFL for so long and I’d like to thank the three clubs that gave me a chance, I feel so lucky that I got to be a part of strong clubs with winning cultures.
“I never got all the way to an AFL Grand Final, but I played in two preliminary finals and it’s those big finals games that I’ll remember forever.
“My AFL career has definitely had some ups and downs, and I’d like to thank my mum, my siblings, my partner Taylah, and our girls, for riding the wave with me.”
Meanwhile, Wanderers have made a big confirmation already with Cody Leggett returning for the season as a player and assistant coach.
Palmerston have welcomed back impressive ball magnet Baxter Mensch, who last played for them in the 2022-23 season before a two year stint at the Darwin Buffaloes.
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Originally published as Fremantle’s Quinton Narkle heads to Darwin after calling time on AFL career
