From the worst.
Fremantle is set to add more depth to its list with former Geelong and Port Adelaide forward Quinton Narkle preparing to join close friend Shai Bolton at the club after the AFL draft.
Narkle played 13 games for the Power last season, and was part of the preliminary final team, but was always under pressure for his after being named as the sub eight times.
Out of contract, he attracted interest from multiple clubs during the trade period. But his strong relationship with Bolton appears to have convinced him to move back to WA in the wake of the Power confirming his delisting on Monday.
Narkle and Bolton not only attended Wesley College together, Narkle’s cousin is also Bolton’s partner.
One of the key reasons that Bolton wanted to play for Fremantle was so he could have more family support in Perth. He already has one child and his partner is pregnant.
Narkle has two young children and is keen to have added support too.
Fremantle have only three picks in the draft with selections 14, 30 and 67, and it is understood they will use all of those. That means they will wait until after the draft to add Narkle to their rookie list through the Supplemental Selection Period.
Narkle was originally selected by Geelong at pick 60 in the 2016 national draft. He played 41 games for the Cats before getting de-listed, then completed a pre-season with Richmond but got overlooked for a spot on their list.
But he impressed clubs while playing for Essendon in the VFL and then joined Port Adelaide through the mid-season where he re-united with another former Wesley schoolmate Sam Powell-Pepper.
Fremantle have been keen to add more depth and versatility to their list as they look to climb back up the ladder. Narkle is 26, has shown he can play as a forward, a wingman or a half-back and that will make him an important part of their squad.
The AFL draft will be held over two days from November 20 and 21, then the pre-season and rookie drafts will take place on November 22.
Narkle doesn’t have to nominate for those drafts because he is a de-listed free agent. The Dockers can leave a position open on their list and sign him once those drafts are completed.
Adding Narkle would give Fremantle six players from the 2016 draft. They chose Sean Darcy, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan at that draft and will have since added Bolton, Will Brodie and Narkle
