Checkside Chats with Jevan Phillipou and Jack Cook

By ZAC MILBANK

Woodville-West Torrens might be coming from fourth spot to defend its SANFL U18 crown but star duo Jevan Phillipou and Jack Cook are up for the challenge.

As the Eagles prepare to face Central District in Saturday’s First Semi-Final, Phillipou and Cook declared they are excited to tackle the Bulldogs in a Grand Final rematch, after edging out their rivals last year.

Starting at 1.30pm, it will be the second contest of a salivating SANFL U18 double-header at Unley, with minor premier Sturt to host the vastly-improved West Adelaide in the opener from 11am.

Phillipou and Cook return to the Under-18 line-up after featuring as regulars in the Eagles’ Hostplus SANFL League team in the second half of the minor round.

Prior to that, Cook relished the chance to vice-captain the SA U18 team to its first national title since 2018 while Phillipou was forced to sit on the sidelines with a broken arm.

Ironically, both of their fathers – Tim Cook and Sam Phillipou – were members of South Australia’s victorious U17 Teal Cup winning team in 1991.

Both players will be aiming to put their best foot forward during the major round as they also have one eye on testing themselves as the AFL Combines in October.