Port Adelaide’s rookie recruit, Northampton’s Brynn Teakle, looking to have early impact

Past rejections have fuelled the fire for Northampton’s Brynn Teakle and he says he’s determined to make an early impact with his new AFL club Port Adelaide.

The 22-year-old was thrilled to be selected by the Power as pick No.8 in the AFL mid-season rookie draft last week, after interest was also shown by Hawthorn and Collingwood.

Speaking at his first press conference in Adelaide on Friday, Teakle said he already felt at home, and was impressed with the club’s history and culture. He said he had “high hopes” of getting a game soon.

“I just want to play footy. I don’t care at what level as long as I’m improving and developing my game,” the 203cm ruckman-forward said.

“(I’ve been told to) just compete in the air and use my athleticism to my advantage (and) I’m a pretty good kick for a big man I think.

“That’s what Kenny (Port coach Ken Hinkley) said. He said ‘there’s a good opportunity if you do the work early and come in with the right attitude’ and I’m coming in to put my best foot forward and work my bum off, as soon as I get into training.

“Scotty Lycett will be out for five or six weeks so I think there’s a good window there where I can showcase what I can do at training and hopefully get the opportunity to play, so I think there’s a good opportunity there for me.

“There’s always opportunity if you have the right attitude.”

Teakle has averaged 14.7 disposals, 3.8 marks, 18.2 hit-outs and a goal a game this season in the WAFL for East Fremantle.

His journey to the AFL has included being overlooked in previous national drafts and by Essendon for a rookie spot despite training with them in the 2020 pre-season. He also played in a pre-season game against West Coast and went up against Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui before being told to put on some weight — advice he took on board and led to him spending plenty of time in the gym to add 6kg to his frame.

“It’s not just Essendon,” Teakle said. “I got the kickback from East Freo when I first started and then kicked back by Essendon and the State team.

“I obviously didn’t make the State team that’s just been in WA against South Australia.

“But stuff like that just adds fuel to the fire. You get kicked down, you get back up.”

Teakle said it would be hard to move away from family in WA but expected some of his clan to follow him to Adelaide.

“My nan and pop are massive fans of mine. They come to every game, driving four hours most weekends to come watch me play in the WAFL,” he said. “I won’t be surprised if they buy a house in Adelaide or pitch a tent at Adelaide Oval. They will be there somewhere.”