Northampton stars Julia & Tiani take WAFLW step with East Fremantle move

Two of the Mid West’s brightest footy prospects, who happen to be sisters, have taken the next step.

Northampton stars Julia Teakle, 18, and her sister Tiani, 15, have signed with East Fremantle and are hoping to make their mark at WAFLW level with dreams of perhaps making the AFLW.

“I think it’s (AFLW) a longer term ambition,” dad Grant Teakle said.

“Depending how the season goes it creates opportunities to be scouted.”

He said the family had moved to Perth, with both girls continuing their education there.

Tiani played in the Sharks’ 8.4 (52)- to 2.7 (19) win over East Perth Royals in the Rogers Cup development competition on Sunday.

With East Freo dominant, she enjoyed a relaxed outing at centre-half-back.

Grant said Julia was hoping to be selected for the league this weekend.

He said Tiani was several years away from being eligible for AFLW, while Julia had done some sessions with the West Coast Eagles as a train-on but had not signed with the club.

Both sisters had an outstanding season in the GNWFL in 2021 and were key to the club’s first premiership.

Playing as a bottom-ager in her first campaign, Tiani went on to challenge her older sister for the league’s fairest and best.

Julia and Chapman Valley’s Kayley King ended up sharing the honour ahead of Brigades’ Courtney Zappara, in third, and Tiani.

However, Tiani won the Northampton women’s club award and was club joint top scorer with Hannah Trusso and Katie Croston, each kicking 17 goals..

King has also joined the Sharks.

In other WAFLW news, former Chapman Valley player Hayley Corlett turned out in round one for Subiaco last Friday as they went down to Peel Thunder by a single behind.

She had seven disposals, three tackles and an inside 50.