Northampton’s Brynn Teakle keeping lid on expectations ahead of AFL mid-season draft, but ready for a call-up

Northampton product Brynn Teakle is hopeful of getting a second shot at playing AFL footy with the Mid-Season Rookie Draft next week, but the ruck prospect is keeping his expectations in check. Teakle, 24, was picked up in the 2022 mid-season draft by Port Adelaide, where he played six games before being de-listed at the end of last season after a cruel run with injuries. The ruck spent pre-season with Collingwood but was overlooked as the supplemental selection. Teakle has since returned to WA, playing for East Fremantle, where he has felt back at home with the Sharks. He impressed as part of the losing WA State side against South Australia last weekend. “It’s been good to come home, obviously East Freo was the club I played for before I got drafted . . . nothing too new, got a really good group of boys I’m playing with,” Teakle told the Geraldton Guardian on Thursday. “It’s been a good transition for me, (East Fremantle coach) Bill (Monaghan) has been really good for my development as well, it feels good to be home.” East Fremantle has a strong connection to the Mid West region, and many locals have come through the Sharks on their way to AFL-level football. Teakle said it has been good to come back and play with familiar faces. “(Josh) Crippa, he’s going really well . . . he’s a really good mate of mine from back home . . . obviously Jed Hagan,” he said. “It’s always good to see those boys again and help them develop, they’re a bit younger than me, so improve their game . . . it’s always nice to play with people you know from way back.” In his six games with the Sharks in 2024, Teakle has averaged 16.3 disposals, 36.5 hit-outs, three tackles per game and kicked 5.1. Now he is looking for a chance to return to the AFL, but the Mid West talent is not getting his hopes up. “It’s kind of similar I guess (to 2022), I’m just not really getting my hopes up too high, because you never really know with these things,” Teakle said. “I didn’t really have too much interest last time, but obviously this time I’m a bit more mature now, bit bigger, so definitely ready for it.” Coming in to this draft with more experience, Teakle said he was ready for another shot at playing in the AFL. “I’m excited and nervous at the same time, you obviously want these things to happen, I’m definitely keen to have another crack at AFL level,” he said. “At the same time, you’ve just got to keep a lid on it, because you never know what’s going to happen within a week or two.” While not linked to individual clubs, Teakle was one of the 24 prospects asked to do medical testing by the AFL. “Done all my medicals, so when they send that through it means there is a few clubs that have nominated you, I’ve done all that, done my ECG, done my psych testing,” he said. East Fremantle teammate and Brigades export Jed Hagan, 20, spent last season with Port Adelaide’s SANFL side before returning to the Sharks and has received interest from Essendon amid mid-season draft speculation. The mid-season draft is set to take place on Wednesday, May 29 at 5pm WA time.