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.
[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.