Cocking Mad! Young Shark boots six in wet conditions as emerging forward continues strong season

While much of the Mid West AFL talent is out of action, there are still those turning heads in the State leagues, with Jack Cocking putting in his best performance yet for East Fremantle colts.

Cocking finished with 34 goals for Railways last season while he was named best and fairest at colts country week last season after captaining the GNFL side to the grand final and was named in the all-star squad.

This year Cocking has committed to the Sharks, playing all seven games this season and had enjoyed a solid start with 10 goals and three best-player nominations in his first six games.

But in wet conditions last weekend, Cocking exploded at the WACA with six goals and eight marks in East Fremantle’s derby win against South Fremantle by 43 points.

He also picked up 14 disposals on his way to a fourth-best-player nomination as he cements himself as one of the best young key forwards in the colts.

The derby also saw a debut for Rover Blake Tazewell who managed 16 hit-outs and five disposals while Brigades’ Llewyn Valli played his first game since round four finishing with 11 disposals and six tackles.

Over in South Australia Jed Hagan was named as the SANFL’s round 8 breakthrough player after picking up 23 disposals and six clearances to go with two goals at half-forward.

The former Shark has been one of the club’s more consistent performers at the level, playing every game this season and averaging 15 disposals and five tackles.