Brynn Teakle, quickly becoming a cult figure at Alberton, has inked a new contract. Image: Matt Sampson.

IT was an unconventional path to the AFL for Brynn Teakle. Picked up in the mid-season draft as a 22-year-old rookie when many might have thought their AFL dream was over, the West Australian ruckman made such an impression at Alberton that he earned an AFL debut with Port Adelaide within two weeks of arriving.

A broken collarbone in the second quarter of his first game against Sydney quickly brought him back to earth, and saw him off the field for several weeks.

While his AFL start shows he’s generally not one for convention, there was one that he missed that is spurring him on as he approaches his second AFL game this weekend against Richmond.

“I definitely want to get back out there,” Teakle said this week after agreeing to terms on a one-year contract extension with the club.

“I loved the quarter and a half I played so hopefully I can get through a full game and get a Powerade shower. That’s what I missed the most, I didn’t get my Powerade shower.

“I want to earn another one and hopefully get it. That’s what I’m looking forward so hopefully I can sneak another one in (this year).”

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"Absolutely over the moon": Teakle extends his time at Alberton | PTV

Mid-season draftee Brynn Teakle has signed on with the club, keeping him at Port Adelaide until at least the end of 2023.

Teakle joins defenders Trent McKenzie and Jake Pasini and utility Lachie Jones in recommitting to the club this week.

The agile big man says he is “over the moon” to get to continue his time at Alberton, although he admitted having some doubts about whether he’d get the chance to because of his injury.

“(There was some doubt) in my mind at the start but getting a game pretty quickly was pretty exciting and I thought it was a good step in the right direction,” Teakle explained.

“In the car on the way to the hospital after the collarbone incident I was a bit down, but I got a bit of reassurance from a few people so I was pretty happy with that.

“I love the club very much and the people involved in this footy club so it’s a privilege and an honour to get another year here.

“I’m absolutely loving my time at Port Adelaide so I’m super stoked to get a pre-season in and stay another year at this fantastic footy club.”

Settling into a new state and new footy club when you only arrive in the middle of the season would prove difficult for most, but not for Teakle, who has taken to his new surrounds and embraced the club environment.

The Northampton product says he has been made to feel welcome by everyone at the club, even forming a little “family” with housemate McKenzie and the defender’s dog Lionel.

“Since the very start, everyone sent me messages when I got picked up and since I’ve come here everyone’s just got around me,” the 204cm Teakle said.

“Living with Trent McKenzie has helped me a lot to help get to know all the boys.

“We’ve had dinners at TJ (Tom Jonas)’s house and up at Mick’s (Charlie Dixon’s) up in the Hills, which is a bit of a trek, but things like that just make a footy club and it’s really important when you bring in a new player.

“I’m loving it so far and can’t wait to keep moving forward.”

Brynn Teakle credits the relationships he's built at the club as a key factor in making Port Adelaide feel like home for the Western Australian. Image: Jordan Bianchini.

After several weeks on the sidelines, Teakle made his return from that broken collarbone in the SANFL against Central District nearly a fortnight ago.

He did enough to be named an AFL emergency last weekend, and while he didn’t get a game, he is feeling strong and fit and hoping that Powerade shower is not too far away.

“There’s a plate in there and eight or nine screws to hold it all in place,” he smiled.

“I played in the SANFL two weeks ago now and it held up fine in a bit of a rough game.

“It’s super strong and collarbones come back stronger anyway so it was probably a good bone to break to be honest.”