Johny on the spot: NBL guard's incredible scoring explosion

Ever since reigning NBL1 West MVP Johny Narkle made his high-profile move to Geraldton, Cockburn’s fans have been waiting for a performance that put the League on notice.

That performance came on Saturday, when the Cougars traveled to Evolution Mining Stadium to take on the Goldfields Giants.

Through the first three quarters, the Illawarra Hawks guard had 12 points to his name, as his Cougars trailed 66-62.

But Narkle took measures into his own hands, scoring 28 of his side’s 29 points in an incredibly display, to finish with a season-high 40 points and power Cockburn to a hard-fought 91-82 victory.

Narkle also had 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in the triumph.

In his fifth year in NBL1 West, Narkle is now averaging 23.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 dimes per game.

The win moves Cockburn into sixth on the ladder, with an 8-4 record, after the first 11 rounds of the 2026 competition.