Round 18 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Central District’s Tom Cochrane was the hero as he kicked a match-winning goal with 21 seconds left to snare a dramatic four-point win against Glenelg to close out the SANFL U18 minor round at Stratarama Stadium.

Cochrane, the son of former Bulldog and Port Adelaide utility Stuart Cochrane, calmly slotted his set shot from 30m after taking a chest mark from a high kick off the boot of teammate Tallan Rosenzweig in the final minute of the fourth quarter.

It was enough to not only bank the premiership points but also secure a vital double-chance in the major round, where the Bulldogs will again clash with the Bays in the Second Semi-Final.

Bulldogs James Noack, Sam Sibbick and Aidan Schubert (20 disposals, two goals) were also instrumental in the victory for the visitors.

Glenelg, holding on to claim the minor premiership, had James Dutton, Max Disbury and Archer Rouvray all fighting hard for the black and gold cause.

Woodville-West Torrens secured its berth in the SANFL U18 finals with a comfortable 41-point win against South Adelaide at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Needing victory to keep North Adelaide at arm’s length on the ladder, the Eagles were powered by forwards Charlie West (five goals) and Jack Gray (four goals) as they tuned up for the major round in ominous fashion.

Eagles Oskar Kilpatrick and Jack Cook, the son of former Bulldog and Crow Tim Cook, also had a strong influence, with Cook racking up 26 disposals and five marks.

Panthers Cohen Shortridge (14 disposals, four goals), Oliver Goss (25 disposals, 13 clearances) and Thomas Simpson (21 disposals, two goals) finished off their season with strong individual performances.

Sturt’s avalanche of inside 50 entries eventually proved too much for Norwood to overcome as the hosts recorded a 13-point victory at Thomas Farms Oval.

Trailing by four points at the final change, the Double Blues overwhelmed the Redlegs in the final term as they made the most of their 58-28 inside 50 count to kick 3.5 to the visitors’ 1.0.

Now preparing for an Elimination Final against the Eagles, Sturt will have Sam White (15 disposals, two goals), Felix Katsaros (25 disposals, 10 marks) and Blake Thredgold take meaningful form into September.

The Redlegs’ Daniel Thompson (27 disposals), William Turner and Jay Polkinghorne (14 disposals, two goals) could hold their heads high but were unable to prevent their side from avoiding the wooden spoon.

West Adelaide blocked North Adelaide’s path to the finals on the back of a match-turning third quarter at Prospect Oval.

Managing just two goals in the first half, the Bloods swung the contest in their favour, en route to their 17-point win, by slamming on 9.2 while keeping the Roosters scoreless in the premiership term.

West’s Joel Parker (27 disposals, one goal), Ayden Hodgson (33 disposals, 16 clearances) and Diego Bueti (13 disposals, three goals) were vital contributors in staging the surprise comeback.

Finishing in fifth place with nine wins and nine losses, the hosts received plenty of punch from Zackariah Young (19 disposals), Joel Bettess (four goals) and Sam Cumming (17 disposals, one goal).