AFLW Finals Port Adelaide v North Melbourne: Power star Julia Teakle on learning from her mistakes and how mum helped her get a big recognition

Last year, Julia Teakle was involved in a passage of play Kane Cornes described as ‘the worst 40 seconds of footy he could remember’. But things are very different for the young star now.

They say it takes a village to raise a child.

Well, half of the town of Geraldton might have helped get Julia Teakle a spot in the AFL Players’ Association’s 22under22 side.

Port Adelaide’s stunning season has finally received the recognition coach Lauren Arnell was hoping her side would get with four Power players chosen in the final side of young guns in the league.

Along with Teakle, ruck Matilda Scholz, midfielder Abbey Dowrick and Amelie Borg made the final side.

Despite missing three matches with a knee injury – which she did fear could have ended her season early – Teakle was the fifth most popular player, and most selected forward in the fan vote that decided the final 22under22 side.

That might have something to do with the work mum Susan did back in the town in the mid west region of Western Australia.

Julia Teakle was named in the AFLPA 22under22 team. Picture Mark Brake

Teakle during her blistering performance against the Bulldogs. Pic: Michael Klein

“That (getting into the final side) was probably been a little bit of a shock, I think mum sent it to all of her mates and the whole of Geraldton,” Teakle said.

“Just about half (might have voted) I reckon, I’m not sure. I reckon mum helped me out there.

“I’m just glad with the team success we’ve been having, it has been a couple of years in the making now and I think we have been working so hard for this for so long so it is nice to see it come to fruition.”

Julia Teakle is in outrageous form as of late 👏@coles | #AFLWPowerFreopic.twitter.com/eAqfwUKUY4

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) September 14, 2024

It has been a remarkable improvement by the Power in 2024.

After winning just one game in its debut season in 2022 and then two wins with the one draw in 2023, the Power are on an eight-match winning streak and will take on North Melbourne in a preliminary final at IKON Park.

In the draw last year against Gold Coast, Teakle found herself central to a debate around whether there was strong enough critiquing of AFLW games.

With the Power leading by six points with two minutes left, and kicking with a strong breeze, Teakle – playing in her 10th game – marked the ball on a severe angle 35m out from goal.

But rather than going back and taking the set shot and taking time off the clock, she tried to quickly snap and find a teammate and the ball was smothered.

The Suns would then quickly break multiple tackles as they went up the other end of the ground and kicked a game-equalling goal.

Port Adelaide AFL great Kane Cornes labelled it as the worst 40 seconds of footy he could remember and asked whether the critique of AFLW games was strong enough.

Arnell responded saying she would welcome the games being critiqued as much as required but it was easy to take a young player in the heat of the moment making a mistake for granted.

Teakle, Piper Window and Sachi Syme after the win over the Hawks. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Teakle has become a key part of the Power forward line. Picture Mark Brake

One year on, like the Power as a whole, Teakle has learnt considerably.

“I can learn a lot from that moment as well, I probably lacked a bit of game experience also,” she said.

“When the game is in the balance you require a lot of experience which I had very little of. So I can and I think the team has also learnt from it, especially game scenarios which we have seen this year we have been able to turn it around when the game is in the balance.

“We have done a lot of game scenario training, going through it last year has set us up well this year.

“Oh absolutely (now she would have taken the shot), and even I think my teammates around me would be yelling at me to go for goals as well.

“I think early on I think I probably lacked a bit of confidence and we hear all the time that confidence comes from repetition so being able to do the repetition and get the work in has really helped me.”

Arnell said Teakle had grown significantly over the first two seasons for the Power in the AFLW.

“Teaks is a very mature 21 year old, and is very, very diligent, which I’ve said a lot before,” she said.

“And I think the biggest tick for Julia is, she had a month out with her injury, and there was no hesitation in selecting her in our best 21 and she comes out against Richmond and performs in the way that she has.

“She’s an integral part of our forward line and really helps our group structure up when the ball’s not necessarily in our area.”

The Power will be hoping for another strong performance from Teakle against the Kangaroos on Saturday.

Cousin Brynn is now at North Melbourne, after his stint at Port Adelaide, and while he might not be able to outwardly show it too much she is hopeful of his support at IKON Park.

“I hope he will back me in,” she said.