AFL

Narkle, Poulter get AFL lifelines as Eagles take Maric

By AAP Newswire

May 31, 2023

narkle — Port Adelaide have given Quinton Narkle an AFL lifeline by signing him in the mid-season draft. -AAP Image

West Coast have snared vastly improved Victorian forward Ryan Maric with the top pick in the AFL mid-season rookie draft.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

A total of 13 players were selected on Wednesday night, with Quinton Narkle and Caleb Poulter given career lifelines at Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs respectively.

Tears flowed for Maric when his name was called by the Eagles, vindicating his decision to embark on a rapid body transformation over the last two years.

The 18-year-old Gippsland Power product dropped 24kg with his personal-trainer brother's help to reach his current playing weight of 83kg.

He has emerged as a serious talent, making his VFL debut with Box Hill this month.

"It means a lot. I've worked very, very hard to get in and it's all happened very quickly," Maric said on the AFL website's broadcast.

"Off the back of a lot of hard work - I've dreamed about this for a while, but to finally get read out, it hasn't really felt real until now. (I am) very emotional."

Maric models his game on Geelong superstar Jeremy Cameron and Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch, and hails from the town of Drouin, which produced Cats legend Gary Ablett Snr and Collingwood premiership player Dale Thomas.

The 193cm prospect is known for his booming kick and is a good chance to feature at the top level for injury-ravaged West Coast this season.

North Melbourne took Subiaco small forward Robert Hansen Jnr with the second pick, while Hawthorn snared 204cm Eastern Ranges ruckman Clay Tucker at No.3.

Richmond picked Glenelg small forward Matt Coulthard at No.4 before GWS, who had two live selections at the mid-season draft, passed on both their picks.

Narkle played 41 games for Geelong before being delisted last year and has shone with Essendon's VFL side this season.

The 25-year-old will add midfield and forward depth to Port Adelaide's list as they chase a premiership this season.

Narkle is a second cousin and former school mate of tough Power forward Sam Powell-Pepper.

"He is a mature body that can help us now and into the future," Port Adelaide recruiting manager Geoff 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."

Poulter earned his call-up by the Bulldogs after impressing with the Footscray VFL side this season.

The 20-year-old midfielder was originally a top-30 national draft pick for Collingwood and played 12 senior games with the Magpies but was delisted at the end of last year.

AFL 2023 MID-SEASON DRAFT

First round

1. West Coast - Ryan Maric (Gippsland Power)

2. North Melbourne - Robert Hansen Jnr (Subiaco)

3. Hawthorn - Clay Tucker (Eastern Ranges)

4. Richmond - Matt Coulthard (Glenelg)

5. Greater Western Sydney - Pass

6. Sydney - Harry Arnold (Brisbane VFL)

7. Geelong - Mitch Hardie (Woodville-West Torrens)

8. Fremantle - Ethan Stanley (Box Hill Hawks)

9. Essendon - Jaiden Hunter (Perth)

10. Western Bulldogs - Caleb Poulter (Footscray)