New Port Adelaide recruit Quinton Narkle during his time with the Cats. Photo: AAP
Former Geelong speedster Quinton Narkle and ex-Collingwood wingman Caleb Poulter have both been given AFL lifelines via the 2023 mid-season draft on Wednesday night.
After an impressive campaign with Essendon’s VFL side this year, Narkle was snapped up by Port Adelaide with pick No.11, while Poulter won’t have too far to go to begin his second stint at the top level after the Western Bulldogs recruited him with the 10th selection from their own Footscray VFL program.
Narkle was delisted by the Cats at the end of last year, after playing 41 games for them in six seasons, and while he frequently showed good signs when given the chance at senior level, he routinely found himself on the fringes as he struggled to break into Geelong’s powerful midfield unit.
He only managed eight matches for Geelong last year before losing his spot in the side after Round 17 and failing to play a part in their run towards the 2022 premiership.
Narkle then missed out on a spot on Richmond’s list as a pre-season supplemental selection after training at Punt Road during the pre-season, but after averaging 20 disposals and kicking eight goals for the Bombers’ reserves this year, he gets a new beginning at Alberton.
The exciting 25-year-old is ready to go, will add to the Power’s midfield depth, and could even find himself part of an unlikely flag tilt with his new team who are flying with a 9-2 record in second spot on the ladder.
Poulter, 20, is also a readymade proposition for the Bulldogs after producing a brilliant first half of the season for their VFL feeder team.
Originally taken at pick 30 in the 2020 draft by Collingwood, Poulter impressed in 11 games in his debut season, but could only add one more match to his senior tally last year as the Magpies stormed towards a preliminary final.
He then left the AFL scene almost as quickly as he arrived when he was delisted by Collingwood last year, but at 193cm, he could definitely fill a need for the Bulldogs who also find themselves in pursuit of a top-four spot.
However, the news wasn’t as good for former Melbourne and Carlton defender Oscar McDonald and ex-Sydney ruckman Sam Naismith, who were both viewed as being strong chances of being picked up on Wednesday night, but were ultimately overlooked despite impressing for Williamstown and Port Melbourne respectively in the VFL so far this year.
The No.1 pick at the mid-season draft was Gippsland Power forward Ryan Maric, who was selected by West Coast and broke down in tears when his name was read out in what were truly heart-warming scenes.
PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO THRIVE BY BECOMING AN OFFICIAL FOOTYOLOGY PATRON. JUST CLICK THIS LINK.
Maric has been stacking shelves at Drouin Woolworths for a living, but it will be some time before he asks for another price check because he looms as a strong chance to play for the Eagles very soon given their dire personnel issues.
The 18-year-old is 193cm, recently made his debut for Box Hill in the VFL, and was touted as a potential top-30 pick if he opted to nominate for the national draft later this year. He is a beautiful shot for goal and plays a bit like Melbourne premiership star Bayley Fritsch.
North Melbourne selected exciting Subiaco goalsneak Robert Hansen with the second pick. He is slightly built, but speed, defensive pressure and finishing skills are key parts of his game.
With the third selection, the Hawks went with Eastern Ranges ruckman Clay Tucker who has also been playing with Box Hill recently.
The athletic 204cm 18-year-old averaged 20 hitouts for Eastern this year, and will bolster Hawthorn’s ruck depth, alongside the injured Max Lynch (concussion) and rookie Max Ramsden, in support of Lloyd Meek and Ned Reeves.
And with pick four, Richmond snapped up Glenelg small forward Matt Coulthard who has very good crumbing ability, pace to burn and kicked a timely bag of four goals on the weekend just days out from the mid-season draft. He is reminiscent of Geelong premiership star Tyson Stengle, and at 22 could feature for the Tigers’ senior team shortly.
Rounding out the top 10 were 24-year-old Brisbane Lions VFL key backman Harry Arnold, who was picked up by Sydney and will help the Swans’ decimated defence which is currently missing Dane Rampe (neck), Tom McCartin (concussion) and Paddy McCartin (concussion), Woodville-West Torrens ball magnet Mitch Hardie (Geelong), Box Hill wingman Ethan Stanley (Fremantle), Perth key forward Jaiden Hunter (Essendon) and Poulter.
Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood, Gold Coast, Melbourne, St Kilda and GWS, which passed on both of its picks, did not participate.
2023 AFL mid-season rookie draft
FIRST ROUND
1. Ryan Maric (Gippsland Power) – West Coast
2. Robert Hansen (Subiaco) – North Melbourne
3. Clay Tucker (Eastern Ranges) – Hawthorn
4. Matt Coulthard (Glenelg) – Richmond
5. Pass – GWS
6. Harry Arnold (Brisbane Lions VFL) – Sydney
7. Mitch Hardie (Woodville-West Torrens) – Geelong
8. Ethan Stanley (Box Hill Hawks) – Fremantle
9. Jaiden Hunter (Perth) – Essendon
10. Caleb Poulter (Footscray) – Western Bulldogs
11. Quinton Narkle (Essendon VFL) – Port Adelaide
SECOND ROUND
12. Brandon Ryan (Northern Bullants) – Hawthorn
13. James Trezise (Richmond VFL) – Richmond
14. Pass – GWS
15. Jack Buller (Claremont) – Sydney
