Northampton’s Brynn Teakle in high spirits after cruel injury spoils AFL debut

The best 35 minutes ever: that’s what Brynn Teakle thought of his AFL experience before it was cruelly cut short following a bump on Sydney’s Justin McInerney.

Teakle, 17 days after being picked up by Port Adelaide in the mid-season draft, made his AFL debut on Saturday against the Swans.

Midway through the second quarter, he broke his left collarbone.

His father Nathan Teakle described the match as a rollercoaster of emotions.

“He took a great mark and had really good quarter-and-a-half of footy,” he said.

“When he hit (Sydney’s Justin McInerney), I thought he was alright cause he stayed up but then I saw him walk off holding his shoulder, I thought ‘oh no’.

“I talked to him down in the rooms and then saw him in hospital post-surgery and he was in good spirits.

Teakle’s AFL future is in the balance as mid-season draftees are only signed on a short-term contract, which expires on October 31.

The injury will see Teakle out for six to eight weeks, most likely putting an end to his season.

However, his father said there are rumours Port are looking to offer him a one-year extension.

He’s clearly got an admirer in Port coach Ken Hinkley, who spoke glowingly of the West Australian’s bubbly outlook pre-game.

And the coach was clearly impressed with how Teakle handled his injury blow.

“He has got enough spunk about him to say as he’s walking off at half-time ‘that’s the best 35 minutes ever’,” Hinkley said.

“He’s happy with himself and the fact that he’s playing AFL football.”

And the 22-year-old Teakle showed promise in his brief debut before it was cut short: three kicks, two handballs, two tackles, nine hit-outs and one strong overhead mark.