Geelong has made a slew of changes for Thursday night’s clash with Port Adelaide, with Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Mark Blicavs and Mark O’Connor bolstering the top four side.
To make way for their returns, Rhys Stanley, Zach Guthrie, Jordan Clark and Quinton Narkle were omitted from the side.
Narkle’s omission raised Garry Lyon’s eyebrow, given his recent form.
The 23-year-old had 25 disposals against Collingwood and 34 touches against the Suns prior to the bye.
“Quinton Narkle, I need Geelong fans who watch the games closer than me to clarify, it appeared to me he got into the side and was driving standards,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.
“That’s the way I looked at it. It’s not about possessions, but he’s had close to 60 in his last two, nine clearances, nine inside 50s.
“It may just be a case of bad luck with Patrick Dangerfield and Mitch Duncan available and Mark O’Connor is the other.
“Narkle has played some really good footy and had an impact in the middle of the ground.
“It might be the best thing for Geelong. I’m sure it’s the best thing in Chris Scott’s eyes.
“I’m just interested to know whether it’s as surprising to Cats fans as it was to me.”
Tim Watson agreed, wondering why Geelong wouldn’t redeploy him in another position.
“There are other things he can do though. You don’t need to play him in the same midfield role you have been playing him in because you’ve needed him to,” said Watson.
“Is he better than Luke Dahlhaus or is he incapable of playing that role?”
On the Port Adelaide side of things, they have lost Orazio Fantasia to a knee injury, with Miles Bergman taking his place in the side.