MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Quinton Narkle of the Cats handballs during the AFL 1st Qualifying Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 06, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Former Cat Quinton Narkle is attracting attention ahead of the 2023 Mid-Season Rookie Draft, following his 2022 delisting by Geelong.

Narkle signed on with Essendon's VFL side earlier in the year, averaging averaging 18 disposals throughout his time with the club so far, but is now garnering interest at AFL level.

The 25-year-old was close to earning a spot on Richmond's list via the Supplementary Selection Period (SSP) earlier this year, with the spot eventually going to Kaelan Bradtke.

Speaking on SEN's Sportsday, AFL Media's Josh Gabelich revealed that several clubs, including Richmond, Essendon, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs, are keeping a close eye on the former Cat.

“If Richmond got their way with the AFL he would be on Richmond's list already,” Gabelich said on SEN's Sportsday.

Jason Castagna retired three or four days after the SSP deadline closed and they pitched to the AFL to get Quinton Narkle for that spot. They only had one spot and went with Kaelan Bradtke instead of Narkle, then Castagna retired.

“He's been playing for Essendon's VFL side and there is interest around the competition.

West Coast is a club that has monitored him, the Bulldogs, Richmond, Essendon, so there's every chance that Quinton Narkle might be back in the system by the end of this month.”

Narkle made his debut for the Cats in Round 15, 2018, going on to play 41 games for the club after being drafted with Pick No.60 in the 2016 National Draft.