East Fremantle product Brynn Teakle closing in on AFL debut after brilliant start to time at Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide midfield coach Brent Montgomery admits “the temptation certainly will be there” to give mid-season draftee Brynn Teakle an early AFL debut after his bright start at the club.

Just eight days after arriving in South Australia, the East Fremantle and Northampton product starred in his SANFL debut as Port Magpies knocked off Central District on Saturday, with three goals, seven marks and 13 disposals splitting his time between forward and ruck.

With first-choice ruckman Scott Lycett still sidelined with a shoulder injury and youngster Sam Hayes coming off illness, the athletic 203cm ruck-forward will come into contention for the Power’s clash against Sydney at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

“Whether we do or don’t (promote Teakle), the temptation certainly will be there,” Montgomery said.

“We loved what he did. He is an infectious character, since the day he arrived.

“It has been quite exciting and he has fitted in quite well. He is taking in a huge amount of information.

“His performance was really, really good. It was shared between ruck and forward, so the temptation will be there.

“And if we do, he still will be learning. He will still be raw and it certainly will be an education on the run. That would not prevent us from picking him. But whether it is this week or not, (Teakle’s AFL debut) is coming.”

Teakle was snapped up by Port with pick eight in this month’s AFL Mid-Season Draft after a breakout season for WAFL outfit East Fremantle.

Several more interstate clubs had also showed significant interest in the fast-improving big man, who trained with Essendon a few years ago during the pre-season before getting overlooked for a list spot.

Fellow WAFL mid-season draftee, Peel Thunder’s Wade Derksen, also kicked three majors in the VFL in Greater Western Sydney’s 40-point win over North Melbourne.