SANFL News

AFL Draft hopefuls shine on the biggest stage as Eagles claim another SANFL U18 premiership

Woodville-West Torrens won their fourth U18 premiership in seven years in a thrilling win over Central District on Sunday.

Published by
Jordan Routley

Woodville-West Torrens staged a stunning comeback to take out the SANFL U18 premiership with a thrilling four-point win over Central District on Sunday.

Trailing by 33 points in the shadows of half-time after being completely outplayed, the Eagles kicked six consecutive goals across the main break to snatch the lead midway through the third.

The rest of the game played out in an enthralling arm wrestle as both sides threw everything at each other in a frantic final term.

A goal from Central District key forward Aidan Schubert gave his team the lead 11 minutes from time, before Logan Hughes produced a clutch snap from 40 metres out to nail the winning goal for the Eagles with six minutes remaining.

It's the Eagles' fourth U18 premiership in the past seven seasons and completes a fairytale finals campaign after only just scraping into September action on the back of two late wins to end the season.

They swept all before them in the finals series, beating all three teams above them including the rampaging Tigers and Bulldogs.

Eagles captain Jett Hastings took out the Alan Stewart Medal as best afield with 20 disposals, seven tackles, four clearances and a goal in a dynamic display.

Woodville-West Torrens Eagles captain Jett Hasting won the 2024 Alan Stewart Medal. (Image via the SANFL, Peter Argent)

Numerous other players on both sides were in line for the medal as a host of big-name draft prospects shone on the big stage.

Port Adelaide father-son hopeful Rome Burgoyne helped keep his team in the game early, finishing with 27 touches, six clearances and nine rebound 50s.

Jack Cook (25 disposals and five tackles) was consistent throughout, while Harry Dodd (19 possessions and six clearances) had some big moments in the second half.

Jevan Phillipou recovered from a quiet start to build nicely into the game and impacted around the ball in the last quarter, while Lachie Sands and Ray Sumner both produced eye-catching moments.

Jack Gray proved a handful up front with his size and physicality to kick four goals, while match-winner Hughes kicked three and showed plenty of skill with ball in hand.

Charlie West displayed his remarkable agility around the contest for a player of his size, working hard around the ground to collect 17 disposals, five clearances and two goals.

Charlie West of the Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL U18s 2024 Grand Final (Image via WWTFC)

Full-back Tate Delmenico was locked in a fierce battle with Bulldogs forward Charlie Nicholls, reading the play well and competing strongly in the aerial contests.

Oskar Kilpatrick showed plenty of dash and attacking flair out of the backline and helped turn defence into attack on several occasions.

For the Bulldogs, it was their impressive triple threat of talented key forwards that did much of the damage, proving too strong in the aerial battle.

Tallan Rosenzweig was a constant threat with his contested marking and work at ground level, finishing with four goals as his accurate set-shot kicking came to the fore.

Nicholls (two goals from eight marks) was prominent early with his contested work, clunking several big marks and making a contest for his smaller forwards to go to work.

Schubert (23 hitouts and five clearances) played mostly in the ruck but also pushed forward to kick two goals including a terrific set-shot effort in the last term.

Tom Cochrane (22 disposals and five clearances) was a consistent ball-winner across the afternoon, while Ryan Lane-Ellis (19 disposals and five clearances) worked hard across the ground.

Matthew LeRay (22 touches and a goal) and Mitchell McDonald (14 disposals) were others to have an impact on the contest.

Brody Wilton won some crucial contests in defence and intercepted several Eagles attacks, while Ariel Rothe was a danger in the forward line with his pressure and creativity with the ball.

Published by
Jordan Routley