PORT ADELAIDE’s newest recruit has “high hopes” of making an impact early, saying being overlooked for previous AFL opportunities has fuelled his desire to make the most of his chance at Alberton.
Brynn Teakle’s name was called with the eighth pick as the club’s sole selection of the mid-season rookie draft on Wednesday night.
The 23-year-old arrived at Alberton on Friday afternoon, having put on hold his studies and work in Perth and jumped on a plane to Adelaide for the first time.
Despite interest from Hawthorn and Collingwood, it was Port which had spoken to Teakle “three or four times over two weeks” but there was no guarantee his name would be called come draft night.
The 203cm ruckman/forward was still yet to meet most of his new teammates but said he already felt at home, mostly impressed by the club’s history and culture.
“I was over the moon (to hear my name called by Port Adelaide),” Teakle said at a press conference before his first session at the club.
“From all the interest Port Adelaide was giving me, that was the team I wanted to go to.
“I was so happy. My phone was going off. Everyone was calling me, (including) the coaches.
“Hats off to the boys, everyone at the club was messaging me and it was absolutely fantastic.
“There’s a great culture here and I can’t wait to meet everyone. I’ve met a few boys already but everyone has been really nice, helped me get over here and have a smooth transition.”
As well as being overlooked in his draft year, Teakle had the disappointment of missing out on a rookie spot on Essendon’s list in the 2020 pre-season.
He spent a month training with the Bombers and played in a pre-season game against West Coast, fronting up against star ruckman Nic Naitanui before being told to put on some weight and spend plenty of time getting stronger in the gym.
While admitting it was tough at the time, the Northampton product said it only increased his desire to improve when he went back to play for East Fremantle.
“It’s not just Essendon,” Teakle explained. “I got the kick back 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.”
Now he is part of Port Adelaide’s AFL list, he has “high hopes” of making an impact early.
Having averaged 14.7 disposals, 3.8 marks, 18.2 hit-outs and a goal per game playing for East Fremantle in the WAFL this season, Teakle is hoping to continue his good form.
“I just want to play footy, I don’t care at what level as long as I’m improving and developing my game,” he 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 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.”
One thing working in Teakle’s favour is his ability to play forward and ruck, having had to split his time between the two roles in the WAFL in recent years.
“That’s something I’ve been working on over the last six months to a year,” he said.
“East Freo played me as a forward. I’ve obviously been a second or third ruck there for a while so I’ve had to work on my forward craft.
“As a junior I played forward so I’ve got that experience from an early age. It’s very natural, I’m a natural goal kicker so that adds a little sting to my bow.”
