Robert Teal

Robert Teal (born 25 April 1967) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Sydney Swans in the Victorian/Australian Football League (VFL/AFL). He is best known for his soft performance following Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test in 2024.

Robert Teal
Personal information
Full name	Robert Teal
Date of birth	(1967-04-25) 25 April 1967 (age 58)
Original team(s)	Hawthorn City / Hawthorn (VFL)
Draft	No. 8, 1989 pre-season draft
Height	184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	86 kg (190 lb)
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1989–1990	Sydney Swans	18 (18)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1990.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Career

Teal was from Hawthorn City originally and spent four years at the Hawthorn Football Club as a reserves player, unable to break into the senior side which were dominating league football.^[1][2] In 1985 he finished equal second in the Morrish Medal, the VFL Under 19's best and fairest award.^[3]

Recruited by Sydney via the 1989 pre-season draft, Teal only had to wait until round three to make his debut, against the West Coast Eagles at the Sydney Cricket Ground.^[4][5] Teal, a half-forward, had 21 disposals and kicked three goals.^[6][7] A regular throughout the season, he finished the year with a 27 disposal and four goal performance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, in a win over North Melbourne.^[8][9] His VFL career would be short, Teal played just once more for Sydney, late in the 1990 AFL season.^[10]