Northampton’s Julia Teakle named Port Adelaide's most improved player after second season

The Mid West’s Julia Teakle was named Port Adelaide’s most improved player, receiving the coaches award at the AFLW team’s awards night. The former Northampton Ram played six games in her second season after suffering an injury in round two against the Brisbane Lions. Teakle experienced pain in her foot which was showing signs of stress after she underwent scans. The initial report had her out for three to four weeks, but she did not return to action until round seven. The 20-year-old forward came back into a struggling Power side and played the rest of the year. The Power finished 15th after two wins for the season. During her second season, Teakle improved her form, averaging 7.8 disposals, 4.5 kicks, taking one mark and making 2.8 tackles per game, all up from her rookie campaign. Her breakout game came in the round eight 45-45 draw against Gold Coast, where she kicked a career-high three goals and was named in the AFLW round eight team of the week. A voting panel, which included the likes of Power coach Lauren Arnell and head of AFLW Juliet Haslam, voted Teakle as the most improved player for the side. She was announced as the coaches award winner at Port Adelaide’s awards night on Friday, November 10.