By Luke Voogt
Promising young midfielder Quinton Narkle has agreed to another year at Kardinia Park.
Geelong Cats on Monday announced the 23-year-old had agreed to a one-year contract extension with the club.
Geelong initially selected Narkle, who hails from Western Australia, at pick 60 in the 2016 national draft.
Narkle had played for West Australian Football League club Perth Demons and represented his state at the AFL under 18 championships.
But he has battled knee injuries over his career, playing 33 games and kicking 14 goals since his AFL debut in 2018.
In 2021 he played a career-high 16 games, including seven starting as medical sub, collecting a total of 215 possessions.
He had a career-best 34 disposals in Geelong’s round 10 win over the Gold Coast Suns.
Narkle was last selected as an unused medical sub in round 22 and omitted during the finals, including after fellow midfielder Brandan Parfitt tore his hamstring against GWS Giants in the semi-final.
He will hope for more opportunities next season as the Cats analyse their midfield after Melbourne Demons smashed them in the centre of the ground during their 83-point preliminary final loss.
“The club is excited that Quinton has committed to 2022 and we believe he will play a significant role,” Geelong Cats football general manager Simon Lloyd said.
“While there has been speculation about Quinton potentially leaving, our conversations throughout the year have been extremely positive.”
