Port Adelaide have announced contract extensions for midfielders Quinton Narkle and Hugh Jackson, keeping them at the club for one and two years respectively. The announcement comes as a boost to the Power following their semi-final loss to GWS last week.
The news is particularly good for Narkle, whose AFL career looked over until the Power threw him a lifeline via the Mid-Season Draft in May, where he linked up with second-cousin and good mate Sam Powell-Pepper.
Since arriving, he has managed a handful of AFL games for Port Adelaide while his SANFL form has been impressive, averaging 21.3 disposals, 3.3 tackles and 3.6 clearances in his seven matches.
Having previously played 41 AFL games for Geelong, the Power will be optimistic that with a full pre-season at the club, Narkle will be able to have a more significant impact in 2024.
Speaking to the club's website, list manager Jason Cripps spoke positively of Narkle.
"We have really liked what Quinton has brought in his short time at our club. We like his versatility and his willingness to adapt, and we know he will be better for a full pre-season," Cripps said.
Meanwhile, Jackson, having been taken at Pick 55 in the 2021 National Draft, has elevated his game at SANFL level in his second season at the club. Averaging 19.3 disposals, 5.7 tackles and 4.7 clearances in 2023 off the back of his first proper pre-season, he is trending in the right direction.
Having already come close to a senior breakthrough, a two-year extension will give him time to make a stronger case for himself and hopefully break into this impressive Power lineup.
"Hugh has come a long way since we drafted him, having endured hip surgery which interrupted his first pre-season last year," Cripps said.
"He has had an outstanding year as a young midfielder in our SANFL line-up and we look forward to his ongoing development."
The double re-signing comes days after the Power delisted Nathan Barkla, Brynn Teakle, Trent Dumont and Riley Bonner.
