Toast Quinton Narkle

[Goggin Our Best]

I would suggest that ignoring Holmes and what he brings to the table in your assessment changes the complexion of your comment quite significantly.

Holmes is a star. If you need convincing I suggest you watch the last quarter v Collingwood very closely.

No i think that is way over the top - and i was excited at the beginning of the season how Holmes would go this season

He was hopeless in the 1st half against Coll - did he actually get a possession in the 1st half - and he dropped 2 simple o/head marks ( in crucial passages of play when Geel were way under the pump ) a 14 year old kid at the local playground could have marked those

He played a top last qtr - no question - but his kicking needs work - and i thought he was poor against the Swans - thus i think it is way premature to call him a "star"

I do like his effort - that PF massacre last year - where alot of Geel players had thrown in the towel and given up pretty weekly - and Gawn was running around like a goliath in the 3rd qtr - Holmes ( way outsized ) chased him for about 20 metres to try to apply the tackle - thus i like the fact he doesnt give up

 

[Seeds]

If you want someone to lead our midfield Narkle is the last person you would get to do it

He has proven time and time again he doesn't care when he doesn't have the ball and considering 98% of playing time is without the ball that is a big minus. Yes he has attacking flair but it is not better than any other player we run through the mids and probably the young players we haven't seen yet.

If you want a leader in waiting Holmes/Cooper and Parfitt are way way better option as is O'Connor.

So narkle now has to lead the midfield to get a game?

 

[cats_09]

Narkle, like Ronnie Burns for example has the x factor with ball in hand. Good decisions, fast, creative and skilled.
None of which he displays going the other way. Hes not alone there but ive seen PFD chase people down. Brad Close has done it.
Ive yet to see Narkle do it.... or even full pace effort to pressure with the same speed as if he had ball in hand.

Thats the issue IMO. Wish he would as he's got mad skills.

GO Catters

And that's the frustration with a player like Narkle - no doubt he has the talent to play at the top level, but one does question if he has the drive or application to work on the defensive side of his game which seems a key thing holding him back

I know that there's been multiple occasions where his lack of defensive efforts against North last year have been discussed, and that there's a number of fans who would have been happy to not see him in the seniors again last year due to his lack of defensive efforts in that match. But there's one passage from an earlier game which absolute shit me & should have seen him in the VFL for longer than just one week:

- against Essendon he was opposed to Parish at a centre bounce; after the ruck contest the ball bounces & Narkle went half-hearted at the ball with one hand but not sure if he even made contact. Parish then attacked the contest hard, got two hands on the ball & took off towards Essendon's attacking 50, with Narkle barely bothering to break into a jog after him

It was a completely lazy passage from Narkle even when he had the chance to attack the ball with conviction - it's frustrating because we know he can do so much better in that situation. All players will get beaten at different stages of the match, but it's how you respond that's important, and would be nice to see Narkle switch into a defensive mindset when required

 

[My Tilly]

Narkle, like Ronnie Burns for example has the x factor with ball in hand. Good decisions, fast, creative and skilled.
None of which he displays going the other way. Hes not alone there but ive seen PFD chase people down. Brad Close has done it.
Ive yet to see Narkle do it.... or even full pace effort to pressure with the same speed as if he had ball in hand.

Thats the issue IMO. Wish he would as he's got mad skills.

GO Catters

Why do people always compare indigenous to players to past indigenous players?
Narkle's x-factor being compared to Ronnie Burns is a terrible take to begin with. One guy is an in-and-under ball magnet while the other was an opportunist.

Narkle is much more comparable to a player like David Spriggs when he first started out with high expectations (albeit not as high expectations on Narkle).
Spriggs looked very promising but just failed to put it all together when he was getting heavy midfield minutes at Geelong.

 

[dazbroncos]

Why do people always compare indigenous to players to past indigenous players?
Narkle's x-factor being compared to Ronnie Burns is a terrible take to begin with. One guy is an in-and-under ball magnet while the other was an opportunist.

Narkle is much more comparable to a player like David Spriggs when he first started out with high expectations (albeit not as high expectations on Narkle).
Spriggs looked very promising but just failed to put it all together when he was getting heavy midfield minutes at Geelong.

I was analogising the positive traits of Narkle to Burns and shoeing how good he could be.

You made it a race issue. You want others..

sure

Robert Scott - Narkle never put his head over it in a defensive contest. Scott did.
Chappy - Not even close.
Parfitt - Parf works his arse off defensively and tackle stats show it. Narkle not a blip on the radar.
Close - Works hard both ways - granted Close is more F than MF.

Black white green martian pink or rainbow. Dont change the fact that Narkle still aint doing the hard work defensively and its hurting his game.

GO Catters

 

[goyoucatters]

And that's the frustration with a player like Narkle - no doubt he has the talent to play at the top level, but one does question if he has the drive or application to work on the defensive side of his game which seems a key thing holding him back

I know that there's been multiple occasions where his lack of defensive efforts against North last year have been discussed, and that there's a number of fans who would have been happy to not see him in the seniors again last year due to his lack of defensive efforts in that match. But there's one passage from an earlier game which absolute shit me & should have seen him in the VFL for longer than just one week:

- against Essendon he was opposed to Parish at a centre bounce; after the ruck contest the ball bounces & Narkle went half-hearted at the ball with one hand but not sure if he even made contact. Parish then attacked the contest hard, got two hands on the ball & took off towards Essendon's attacking 50, with Narkle barely bothering to break into a jog after him

It was a completely lazy passage from Narkle even when he had the chance to attack the ball with conviction - it's frustrating because we know he can do so much better in that situation. All players will get beaten at different stages of the match, but it's how you respond that's important, and would be nice to see Narkle switch into a defensive mindset when required

The one from the Bombers game last year that burned me was Parish's goal from the forward pocket during the third quarter of that game. Ball comes in long, Narkle trails Parish to the contest, Parish goes to ground, Narkle stands around a couple of metres away, Parish wins the ball on the ground, gets back to his feet and snaps the goal. All without Narkle really touching Parish (or being within two metres of him), let alone impeding his path to the football or the goal.

When you're playing midfield and can't work back to defence by putting some actual body on your opponent and make it difficult for them to win/clear the ball, I can totally understand why the coaching staff don't have you at top of mind when they're considering what combination the team might need around the ball in their next match.

 

[My Tilly]

I was analogising the positive traits of Narkle to Burns and shoeing how good he could be.

You made it a race issue. You want others..

sure

Robert Scott - Narkle never put his head over it in a defensive contest. Scott did.
Chappy - Not even close.
Parfitt - Parf works his arse off defensively and tackle stats show it. Narkle not a blip on the radar.
Close - Works hard both ways - granted Close is more F than MF.

Black white green martian pink or rainbow. Dont change the fact that Narkle still aint doing the hard work defensively and its hurting his game.

GO Catters

Close is not a midfielder yet so perhaps take him off your little list.
Robert Scott lol, did you even watch us in the 90's?
Chapman is a better comparison but seriously, Narkle has never showed similar potential early on. Chapman had already booted 3+ goals in a couple of games and was becoming one of our hardest ball winners by game 29.

Narkle will never become another Ronnie Burns. They do not play similar positions on the football field. Burns was booting 30's and 50's goals by his 2nd season because he was a forward pocket.

Narkle will never be a defensive minded midfielder. He won't need to be. He is too creative offensively and we have Parfitt, O'Conner and Stephens to worry about that side of the game.
Narkle just needs a break. A slate of 10 consecutive games in a row to give us a good sample size of what he's about.

I find it funny how you are potting him for playing well in the VFL.
One wonders what may become of him if he plays well at senior level.

 

[00VicWard001]

This aged well

Fair enough. Very happy to see that he turned it on. I would expect that he continues to do so as one of our current champions.

 

[Gunf]

So narkle now has to lead the midfield to get a game?

Did you read the post that i responded to? or the conversation that was going on?

I am going to guess no.

And to answer your question no he doesn't have to be a leader but actually trying without the ball would go a long way to getting a game. And before you say Higgins etc i am all for him being dropped but not for Narkle i would have a few players in before him such as Cooper.

 

[dazbroncos]

Close is not a midfielder yet so perhaps take him off your little list.
Robert Scott lol, did you even watch us in the 90's?
Chapman is a better comparison but seriously, Narkle has never showed similar potential early on. Chapman had already booted 3+ goals in a couple of games and was becoming one of our hardest ball winners by game 29.

Narkle will never become another Ronnie Burns. They do not play similar positions on the football field. Burns was booting 30's and 50's goals by his 2nd season because he was a forward pocket.

Narkle will never be a defensive minded midfielder. He won't need to be. He is too creative offensively and we have Parfitt, O'Conner and Stephens to worry about that side of the game.
Narkle just needs a break. A slate of 10 consecutive games in a row to give us a good sample size of what he's about.

I find it funny how you are potting him for playing well in the VFL.
One wonders what may become of him if he plays well at senior level.

Narkle gets plenty of breaks - Mostly when the opposition has the ball in their hands as he aint doing anything about it.

And I never potted him for playing well in the VFL - as usual Robert you have the eyes only seeing what you want - I want him to do more defensively. And he does not. He does great with ball in hand - but you must have blinked at the wrong time again.

Go Catters

 

[My Tilly]

Narkle gets plenty of breaks - Mostly when the opposition has the ball in their hands as he aint doing anything about it.

And I never potted him for playing well in the VFL - as usual Robert you have the eyes only seeing what you want - I want him to do more defensively. And he does not. He does great with ball in hand - but you must have blinked at the wrong time again.

Go Catters

Referring to me by name? I take it your comfortable with being called Darren from now on?

Narkle has yet to even establish himself. How about waiting until he gets a fair run at it like some others players his age have.
There are a couple of senior players that are conventionally ignored despite their defensive short coming's which hurt us as well.

 

[dazbroncos]

Referring to me by name? I take it your comfortable with being called Darren from now on?

Narkle has yet to even establish himself. How about waiting until he gets a fair run at it like some others players his age have.
There are a couple of senior players that are conventionally ignored despite their defensive short coming's which hurt us as well.

Given Daz is in my handle its pretty common to be called Darren - feel free.

So have at it Robert.

Wanna meet up in the Higgins thread? Ill tell you he's a defensive liability there too.
PFD will get the same speech - granted ive seen him chase and tackle - not enough... but some.

Can do this all day.

Meanwhile - back here in the Narkle thread... the only defensive work being done here is by you.

Go Catters

 

[My Tilly]

Given Daz is in my handle its pretty common to be called Darren - feel free.

So have at it Robert.

Wanna meet up in the Higgins thread? Ill tell you he's a defensive liability there too.
PFD will get the same speech - granted ive seen him chase and tackle - not enough... but some.

Can do this all day.

Meanwhile - back here in the Narkle thread... the only defensive work being done here is by you.

Go Catters

I just find it bizarre how some players, yet to even get a decent run at it at senior level, are scrutinized so extensively and yet we have senior players who have failed us time and time again and don't cop anywhere near as much criticism.

Higgins is 34! Do you expect a 34 year old to be outrunning blokes 10 years younger?

Let's just hope Narkle gets a decent crack it because judging by this thread, his papers are already stamped according to some Geelong supporters.

 

[cats_09]

Ok guys, looks like now would be a good time to chill & have a break from this thread for a bit

Football is a passionate game, and as fans we're passionate folk - not too many fleeting fans join online forums

We've got two matches across this afternoon & tonight - let's get behind the teams & wish the guys all the best

 

[Down at K Park]

I made an effort to watch his defensive efforts last night, and i can see what people say about him. More than a few times he just stood off the contest and didn’t bother to tackle or chase. Just looked for a loose ball coming his way.

Made one nice tackle but that was about it. One play was glaringly obvious as just lazy as he was about 1-2 metres off the contest, brisbane player picked it up and he just stood there and watched him stroll away with the ball. No effort to pressure or chase when he easily could have effected the contest if he wanted too.

Offensively his kicking looked pretty average as well. I’ve changed my mind on him and can see why he rarely plays.

 

[Cataholic]

I made an effort to watch his defensive efforts last night, and i can see what people say about him. More than a few times he just stood off the contest and didn’t bother to tackle or chase. Just looked for a loose ball coming his way.

Made one nice tackle but that was about it. One play was glaringly obvious as just lazy as he was about 1-2 metres off the contest, brisbane player picked it up and he just stood there and watched him stroll away with the ball. No effort to pressure or chase when he easily could have effected the contest if he wanted too.

Offensively his kicking looked pretty average as well. I’ve changed my mind on him and can see why he rarely plays.

Same.

Made the comment last night, after watching him closely, that he has no sense of urgency or purpose.

Whether it's just laziness, or the outcome of knowing he's effectively gone, I'm not sure.

 

[catempire]

I don’t rate him but hope he has a speedy recovery and gets back and gets one last crack.

 

[goyoucatters]

Same.

Made the comment last night, after watching him closely, that he has no sense of urgency or purpose.

Whether it's just laziness, or the outcome of knowing he's effectively gone, I'm not sure.

I get it was his first game back in the seniors this year. And it wasn't exactly a low pressure contest. But it actually looks to me as if he's not suited by our change in game style either. When we were (previously) looking for him to to win clearances and not exactly go fast with possession, his languid style (with the ball, at least) seemed to fit. As it is now, he got caught several times last night and had his disposal adversely affected, when all he'd needed was to be quicker and more decisive. Even his atrocious 'shot on goal' on the run from straight in front in the third was evidence of this; just make a decision and act on it, as the opposition is going to close in and make it more difficult if you don't.

I certainly want to see him back as soon as possible playing footy. But there was nothing in his efforts without the ball (and some fresh concerns about what he's doing when he's got it) to suggest that he's a walk-up start as a senior player. Still looks uber-fringe to me.

 

[Down at K Park]

I would have thought the quicker game style would have suited him.

 

[Strange Cat]

Referring to me by name? I take it your comfortable with being called Darren from now on?

Narkle has yet to even establish himself. How about waiting until he gets a fair run at it like some others players his age have.
There are a couple of senior players that are conventionally ignored despite their defensive short coming's which hurt us as well.

Narkle has a few years now to try and cement his spot even as a list spot in the mould similar to Zuthrie in being a solid emergency player that has consistently shown he is reliable

Sadly Robert/Bobby he is unable to find that consistently to demonstrate that he can be called upon and with an injury that may hamper him this year for game time I think he will be traded to another club or delisted as much as I am a fan of his… his lack of defensive traits and efforts will hinder him moving forward no matter what club he will find himself at next season

 

[#cats2021]

Good comments here.

I think it was an “almost” game from Narkle.

Made a similar comment in the review thread, thought in the first half he was below par.

In the third was very dangerous and really should have broken the game open with his second goal in as many minutes.

If not injured, would have ended the game with 20+ and a nice goal (should have been two).

I think our new game plan does suit him, he was simply off the pace to begin with (got caught flat footed a couple of times). Some nerves as well, we know he is not that poor by foot normally (went at 40% last night).

Reading between the lines in Scott's presser, I think he'll be back sooner rather than later.

 

[cats_09]

I made an effort to watch his defensive efforts last night, and i can see what people say about him. More than a few times he just stood off the contest and didn’t bother to tackle or chase. Just looked for a loose ball coming his way.

Made one nice tackle but that was about it. One play was glaringly obvious as just lazy as he was about 1-2 metres off the contest, brisbane player picked it up and he just stood there and watched him stroll away with the ball. No effort to pressure or chase when he easily could have effected the contest if he wanted too.

Offensively his kicking looked pretty average as well. I’ve changed my mind on him and can see why he rarely plays.

Just on his kicking, I'm kinda surprised his poor kicking was something of a shock to so many, especially as it was raised in the media last year

I posted the below stats on the previous page - they're from last year after Duncan hurt his knee against the Bulldogs & was going to miss an extended period. The focus of the article was good by foot Duncan is versus his potential midfield replacements in Higgins & Narkle; it's been well discussed around here how poor by foot Higgins has been, well Narkle ain't much better so last night shouldn't really surprise as much as it seemingly is

CATS KICKING THEMSELVES

Player – Kick rating (AFL rank) – kicks inside-50 marked

Mitch Duncan – +8.3 per cent (22nd) – 27.6 per cent

Quinton Narkle – -6.5 per cent (396th) – 0 per cent

Shaun Higgins – -7.1 per cent (403rd) – 16.7 per cent

Source: Champion Data

 

[cats_09]

Good comments here.

I think it was an “almost” game from Narkle.

Made a similar comment in the review thread, thought in the first half he was below par.

In the third was very dangerous and really should have broken the game open with his second goal in as many minutes.

If not injured, would have ended the game with 20+ and a nice goal (should have been two).

I think our new game plan does suit him, he was simply off the pace to begin with (got caught flat footed a couple of times). Some nerves as well, we know he is not that poor by foot normally (went at 40% last night).

Reading between the lines in Scott's presser, I think he'll be back sooner rather than later.

Actually, he's been poor by foot for a while, it's just that it's not often discussed around here

After round 14 last year, he was ranked 396 in the league, for kick rating - to put into perspective, Higgins who was ranked the worse kick at same time was ranked 403rd; there's 250 -> 300 players on lists who don't play each year

 

[#cats2021]

Actually, he's been poor by foot for a while, it's just that it's not often discussed around here

After round 14 last year, he was ranked 396 in the league, for kick rating - to put into perspective, Higgins who was ranked the worse kick at same time was ranked 403rd; there's 250 -> 300 players on lists who don't play each year

Yes I know, but last night was well below even that. Seemed to get everything off the instep. Would benefit from lowering the eyes sometimes, think he defaults to bombing it long too often.

 

[cats_09]

Yes I know, but last night was well below even that. Seemed to get everything off the instep. Would benefit from lowering the eyes sometimes, think he defaults to bombing it long too often.

It's a fair effort to be below where he was last season when he was ranked the 8th worse kick in the league