2020 Trade & Free Agency Spotlight | Quinton Narkle
Written by Joseph Addamo
Throughout the 2020 off-season, Blue Abroad will be providing content to cover everything you need to know about the Carlton Football Club.
Looking to take the next step in 2021, the success of this off-season’s recruiting is critical. We will be looking at various opposition players on the open market that could add another dimension to the current crop of players.
This is the Blue Abroad Trade & Free Agency Player Spotlight for Geelong’s #19 – Quinton Narkle.
WHO IS QUINTON NARKLE?
Junior Club: Perth, WAFL
AFL Selection: Pick 60, 2016 AFL National Draft by the Geelong Cats
Age (@ Round 1, 2021): 23
Height: 182cm
Weight: 83kg
Position(s): Midfielder
Career Games: 17
Career Goals: 10
WHAT IS QUINTON NARKLE’S STRONGEST ATTRIBUTE?
Quinton Narkle burst onto the AFL scene in 2018, making his debut in a thriller against the Western Bulldogs in Round 18. He gathered 14 disposals and kicked 2 goals in his first game of AFL football, with his eye-catching breakaway speed and fleet-footed abilities on display from the get-go.
Narkle in his career to date among midfielders does not rank all that highly in key stat groups. He rates as average for disposal efficiency (71.2%), clearances (2.3), score involvements (4.4) and tackles inside 50 (0.5). He also ranks below average for disposals (13.7), inside 50s (2.4), tackles (2.9) and pressure acts (12.2).
With a stacked midfield group around him at Geelong, it’s no surprise as to why Narkle may have fallen out of favour. Trading for Narkle would be based on his ceiling and potential as a project player going forward, with the idea that increased time as a small forward being where he would be best utilized.
WHERE WOULD QUINTON NARKLE FIT IN CARLTON’S STARTING 22?
Carlton have been screaming out for a player that has finishing qualities and an ability to weave through traffic as a small forward. Eddie Betts will likely enter his final season of football in 2021, and Zac Fisher and Michael Gibbons’ attributes as midfielders are too good to keep them in the forward line as smalls permanently. This is where Narkle could come into play.
In Round 21, 2019, Narkle showed his dynamic ability to switch between forward and midfield in a career-best game. In a 55-point drubbing of North Melbourne, Narkle gathered 21 disposals, laid 4 tackles, won 6 clearances, had 3 inside 50s and kicked 2.2 for the day. Both he and Gryan Miers combined for 5 goals between them that day in a dominating small forward display in slippery conditions at Kardinia Park.
If it’s a permanent small forward the Blues are after this offseason, and Narkle is available via trade or (potentially) free agency, he would be a low-risk with potential high-reward option to look at.
WHAT IS QUINTON NARKLE’S CONTRACT STATUS?
Narkle is out of contract at the Cats and has not been offered a contract at this point in time for 2021. From all reports, he has been told to explore his options, although not yet delisted by Geelong. Seemingly, the Cats want to extract some sort of value for Narkle.
Channel Seven’s Ryan Daniels reported on Narkle’s situation recently:
Narkle is out of contract… they’re waiting to see what happens with list sizes… he’s a super talent, we know what he can do… I would be very surprised at this point if he is actually at Geelong next year… he just wants to play.
A West Australian, Narkle may seek opportunity at either Fremantle or West Coast if his desire is to return home. However, this has not been reported, with his intent to get consistent game time at a new home at the forefront of his 2021 outlook. Considering he has been told to explore his options, a late pick in this year’s draft could be all that is needed to unlock a deal for the young talent.
REALISTIC ACQUISITION RATING
6.5 / 10
