Former AFL footballer Quinton Narkle will join South Cairns for the 2027 season as the Cutters look to go one better than this year's grand final appearance.
The 28-year-old is the latest addition to the AFL Cairns club, which has also secured former Fremantle utility Ryan Nyhuis.
South Cairns fell agonisingly short of the 2026 premiership, losing a thrilling grand final to Port Douglas by five points in September.
Narkle heads to the Cutters after making a strong impression in the Northern Territory Football League, where he has played for Southern Districts and, more recently, competition newcomers Banks.
"The South Cairns Cutters are thrilled to welcome Quinton Narkle and his family to the club," the club announced on social media.
"Quinton brings a wealth of experience, having played 59 AFL games across Geelong, Port Adelaide and Fremantle.
"Currently playing with Banks Football Club in Darwin, Quinton will add plenty of class, experience and talent to the Cutters.
"We're excited to have Quinton on board and look forward to seeing him running out in the red, green and white."
Since moving to the Top End with his young family, Narkle has established himself among the NTFL's best performing players.
He finished in the top three of the Nichols Medal count in his debut season with Southern Districts in 2025/26, playing through the midfield and across half forward.
Banks then secured him as their marquee signing ahead of their inaugural Premier League season.
Across his opening six matches this season, Narkle has averaged 24 disposals and five score involvements per game.
Narkle joins South Cairns as the club prepares for a change of coach.
Andrew Boston has stepped down as coach to take up a development coaching role with the Sydney Swans, with former assistant coach and South Cairns premiership player Liam McCarthy taking over.
Narkle's move to Queensland follows a nine-year AFL career that began when Geelong selected him in the 2016 AFL National Draft.
He showed promise at the Cats but struggled to hold a regular place in their strong midfield before being delisted at the end of 2022.
A stint with Essendon's VFL side provided another opportunity, with Port Adelaide selecting him in the 2023 mid-season draft.
He played 16 senior games for the Power, including their preliminary final against Sydney, before joining Fremantle.
Narkle made two AFL appearances for the Dockers and played with their WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder before announcing his retirement in 2025.
