Geraldton’s Julia Teakle’s family reflects as she gears up for her first AFLW preliminary final

As Geraldton’s Julia Teakle gears up to play in her first AFLW preliminary final, her proud family are reflecting on the journey that could lead her to the biggest stage in the sport. It’s a sport the driven young woman gave up as a child because there were not enough girls playing. Fast forward a decade or so, and the 21-year-old has enjoyed a breakout year for Port Adelaide, and is now only one win away from playing in an AFLW grand final. Teakle’s love of AFL started by kicking the footy with her older brother, before joining in at age seven at Railways Football Club. Her dad Grant was coaching an under-10s side at Railways when she got involved. Teakle played for three years before walking away from the sport because of a lack of girls playing. During her time away from footy, Teakle took up basketball and netball, playing Pumas. Teakle took a liking to basketball in particular, and played for WA country in the under-16s competition. During this time, Teakle was named player of the year in the Geraldton Amateur Basketball Association. In 2019, Teakle returned to footy at Northampton when her dad started up the first women’s team for the Rams in the Great Northern Football League. In her time at Northampton, Teakle walked away with two league best-and-fairest awards and a premiership in 2021 alongside her younger sister Tiani. After growing up in Geraldton, Teakle and her family moved down to Perth in 2022 so she could pursue university studies and expand her football opportunities. Teakle landed at East Fremantle, where she played 13 games for the Sharks. During this time, the AFLW had announced four new expansion clubs, providing her with an opportunity to pursue her AFLW dream. Only six months after moving to Perth and playing for the Sharks, Teakle signed up for Port Adelaide’s inaugural AFLW side in 2022. Grant Teakle said it was a welcomed surprise considering how long she had been at East Fremantle. “It was a bit of a surprise because she had been playing with the Sharks for six months,” he said. “It was a great opportunity with the four expansion clubs.” Teakle made her debut that same year, and went on to enjoy a breakout season in 2023 that saw her walk away with the club’s coaches’ award. This season, Teakle has gone from strength to strength, continuing to improve and shine under the bright lights of the AFLW. She kicked four goals against the Western Bulldogs in Port’s 40-point thumping win in round two at the MCG. Consistency has been key for Teakle this year. Averaging a goal a game as a forward, she has been an asset for Port all season, causing issues for defenders all over the league. A knee injury saw Teakle miss three weeks at the pointy end of the season, but she returned just in time for the finals, kicking two goals in Port’s elimination final win against the Tigers. After a thrilling one-point semifinal win last week against Hawthorn, Teakle and Port face their biggest challenge yet, coming up against league leaders North Melbourne away from home in Saturday’s preliminary final. Grant Teakle said the family couldn’t be prouder as his daughter continued to shine on the big stage. “We are super proud of her,” he said. “She’s moved away from home and pursued what she wants to do. “She seems to have found a niche, and loves the Port Adelaide environment and all the girls that she’s met. “You want your kids to be fit and healthy, and to see them kicking goals literally on the highest level, that’s amazing.” The family’s footy talent runs deep, with Tiani Teakle playing for East Fremantle in the WAFLW and aiming for an AFLW opportunity, while her brother Bohan has played WAFL reserves, and cousin Brynn is playing for North Melbourne in the AFL. Her family has another reason to be proud, with Teakle this week being named at centre-half-forward in the AFLW’s 22under22 team for season 2024, recognising her as one of the best young players in the competition. North Melbourne and Port face off in the preliminary final from 12.05pm on Saturday.