Australian Football

Extremely lightly built at just 170 cm and 66 kg, Keith Narkle was nevertheless a rare and sublime football talent, boasting tremendous pace combined with great athleticism and ball handling ability. Nine years older than his brother Phil, he made his league debut in 1971, when Swans were something of a chopping block for the other seven WANFL sides. By the time of his retirement 14 seasons and 254 senior games later, however, he had played in three premiership teams, including one as captain, and won his club’s fairest and best trophy on three occasions. 

The Swan Districts premiership sides in which he played between 1982 and 1984 were among the most accomplished to adorn West Australian football, and Narkle’s contribution, whether as a wingman or a half forward, was considerable. Like fine wine, he appeared to get better with age, winning his third club champion award in his final season, at the age of  33.

Keith Narkle represented Western Australia in the interstate arena three times, and was selected in Swan DistricDistricts’ official ‘Team of the Twentieth Century’.

Author - John Devaney