Central District made a major move towards a top-three finish with a spirited fightback against Glenelg, the Eagles snapped their six-game losing streak in style, while Norwood and Sturt continued their push for the minor premiership with big wins.
Read all about it in this week's SANFL Wrap.
Norwood 18.10.(118) def North Adelaide 9.9.(63)
Norwood kept their hopes of claiming the minor premiership alive with a commanding 55-point win over North Adelaide at The Parade on Friday night.
The win keeps them level on points and 0.2% ahead of Sturt in top spot, sending the race for the minor premiership down to the wire.
Meanwhile, North Adelaide's finals hopes are all but over, requiring a miracle to sneak into fifth spot as they sit a game and 6% behind the Eagles.
North were right in the hunt early, going goal-for-goal with Norwood as scores were locked away at quarter time.ย
But it was all Norwood after the first break, with the home side piling on 12 goals to two across the second and third quarters in a scintillating display.
The Redlegs got their run-and-carry game going and moved the ball with devastating effect as they caught the Roosters' defence napping.ย
Norwood showed their strength around the stoppages, winning clearances by 11 as their mids got on the move and proved deadly around the packs.
Harry Boyd led the way and continued his charge towards the Magarey Medal with another best-on-ground performance, tallying 26 disposals, 44 hitouts and 14 clearances.
Mitch O'Neill made a welcome return from an ankle injury and didn't skip a beat, registering 25 touches and two goals as second-best behind Boyd.
Baynen Lowe started quietly but worked his way into the game, finishing with 23 disposals and five clearances in another dynamic performance, while Billy Cootee (18 disposals and seven inside 50s) was dangerous with ball in hand.
Jackson Callow played another starring role up front, kicking four goals and taking three contested marks as he proved too strong in the air despite close attention from Keenan Ramsey.
Izaak Twelftree spent more time around the ball and was a difficult matchup with his size and mobility, collecting 19 disposals and three goals.ย
Tristan Binder was an important foil for Callow in the forward line and Boyd in the ruck as he booted two goals, as did Sam Morris.
At the other end, Jack Heard was outstanding in defence, reading the play superbly to take several important intercept marks and snuck forward for his first league goal.
Pierce Seymour (eight marks and seven rebound 50s) was another crucial pillar in the backline, while Tom Donnelley kept Ken Farmer Medal leader Mitch Harvey to two marks and a goal.
With O'Neill returning to the midfield, Alec Wright moved to defence and played a terrific lockdown role on Nigel Lockyer, restricting him to just six touches.
On a bleak night for North, Dyson Hilder was a shining beacon in the ruck, competing hard against Boyd to shark eight clearances, many of them from Boyd's hand.
Ewan Mackinlay was lively up front and kicked two early goals, while Hughen Wissman kept Norwood playmaker Matthew Ling relatively quiet as a defensive forward.
Cody Raak was switched to the forward line in the third term and proved a handful, kicking three goals and providing much-needed spark.
Alex Spina (17 disposals and nine rebound 50s) was strong in defence despite some uncharacteristic turnovers, while Frazer Driscoll largely held Twelftree in check when the Redleg played inside 50.
Central District 6.9.(45) def Glenelg 6.8.(44)
Central District produced a stunning second-half comeback to snatch a thrilling one-point win over Glenelg and all but seal a crucial top-three berth.
In a critical match-up between the two top-three aspirants, this was always going to be a hard-fought clash with so much on the line.
Early days it appeared to be an anti-climax, with Glenelg skipping out to a 29-point lead early in the third term after keeping the Dogs to a goalless first half.
With renewed vigour around the contest, the Bulldogs roared into life, kicking the next six goals to take the lead midway through the last quarter.
The Tigers hit back with a much-needed major and levelled the scores nearing time-on before a long-range behind from Rhett Montgomerie sealed a famous win.
Reigning Magarey medallist Harry Grant rose to the occasion and lifted his side in the second half, compiling 21 disposals, nine clearances and 12 tackles.
Kai Pudney (22 disposals) was relentless on the wing, while Kyle Presbury and Wilson Barry both had important moments.
Seventeen-year-old Dyson Sharp was ultra-impressive in his league debut, collecting 14 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances and a team-lifting goal in the third quarter.
Aiden Grace was a livewire up forward and booted three crucial goals, getting the better of his matchup on Liam Wisdom.
George Kendall played a key role in negating Liam McBean and keeping the big man goalless, while Brinn Little got the job done on first-gamer Todd Reid and resting ruckman Riley Holder.
Dayne Posthuma played one of his best games for the season, blanketing Luke Reynolds and keeping him to eight touches and a goal.
Despite the loss, Glenelg can be buoyed by the performances of several emerging players who have taken their opportunity at league level.
Ben Ridgway is one such player, who stood up strongly in his third senior game to finish with a game-high 25 disposals, eight clearances and a goal, while Jake Walker (13 disposals and eight tackles) had some good moments.
James Bell (22 disposals and eight tackles) cracked in hard all day, as did Corey Lyons (23 disposals and 12 clearances).
Matthew Snook (20 disposals and six tackles) thrived in the clinches, while Chris Curran (17 disposals and seven tackles) worked hard on the wing.
Cam McGree (36 hitouts and four clearances) convincingly won the ruck battle and provided good service for his midfielders.
Riley Holder (two goals) never stopped trying in the front half, while Archie Lovelock played a negating role on dangerous Centrals half-back Billy Iles and curbed his influence.
Darcy Bailey (19 disposals and four rebound 50s) and Max Proud (21 disposals) provided valuable rebound from defence.
Alex Martini played an excellent shutdown role on Isaiah Dudley and completely blanketed the small forward, while Oscar Adams quelled Hugo Munn and negated his aerial presence.
South Adelaide 9.7.(61) def by Woodville-West Torrens 17.16.(118)
Woodville-West Torrens powered to a 57-point win over South Adelaide that may well have saved their season and secured a finals berth.
Ending a six-game losing streak that threatened to derail their 2024 campaign, the Eagles regained their confidence and flair as they put the hapless Panthers to the sword.
Ahead by only 10 points at the main break, the Eagles kicked away in the second half, booting 13 goals to six as they finished full of running.
Now sitting level on points with Port Adelaide at the foot of the ladder, South are still in danger of claiming the wooden spoon should they lose to Glenelg this weekend.
Meanwhile, Woodville-West Torrens remain nearly 4% in front of Adelaide in fifth spot and a win against Norwood this weekend will seal their place in September.
The Eagles were propelled by several stars who returned to their best form, including James Rowe, who finished with 29 disposals and four goals in a highly damaging performance.
Adam D'Aloia (20 disposals and eight clearances) and Joe Sinor (25 touches and nine clearances) were at their brutal best around the stoppages.
Luke McKay (20 disposals and eight inside 50s) featured prominently, while Max Beattie (22 disposals) pushed higher up the ground and was a dangerous customer.
Zane Williams (18 disposals and two goals) played mostly on the wing and was influential, as did Josh Morris, who crept forward for his first league goal.
Jarrad Redden (30 hitouts and four clearances) convincingly won the ruck duel and was back to his imposing best.
Connor Ballenden (20 disposals, three goals and nine marks) was a powerhouse in the forward line, while Lukas Cooke (10 marks and a goal) grew into the game and marked with authority.
Veteran Matthew Goldsworthy burst onto the scene late to kick four last-quarter goals and showed all his wisdom and experience around the sticks.
Jack Firns played a terrific game at full-back on Damon Freitag, with the big Panther kicking only two goals, one of which was from a holding-the-ball free kick.
Sam Rowland (20 disposals) kept Liam Fitt largely out of the game, while Max Litster did a solid job on Eamon Wilkinson and reduced his impact.
Luke Thompson completely blanketed young South forward Corey Grocock, while Cameron Fleeton kept Sam Hindes goalless and out of the game.
For South Adelaide, the shining light was undoubtedly Sid Draper, who again showed why he will go high in the draft with 23 disposals and six clearances.
Kobe Mutch went head-to-head with Adam D'Aloia and held his own, finishing with 22 disposals and 11 tackles, while Hayden Sampson (22 touches) worked hard on the wing.
Sam Skinner (19 disposals and eight marks) held up tremendously well in defence, as did Jake Summerton (13 disposals and seven marks).
Elliot Dunkin (25 disposals and five rebound 50s) provided plenty of spark across the half-backline, as did Jonti Schuback (21 disposals and four rebound 50s).
West Adelaide 4.8.(32) def by Sturt 13.11.(89)
Sturt made it 12 wins on the trot with a crushing 57-point victory over West Adelaide on Saturday as they close in on top spot with one round to play.
The Blues are now just 0.2% behind Norwood and need to beat Adelaide at Unley this weekend for a shot at the minor premiership.
West Adelaide threw everything they could muster at the visitors and led by two points at the first change, but were ultimately overpowered by a clinical Sturt outfit that has charged into premiership favouritism.
Sturt's all-conquering defence took yet another scalp, keeping the Bloods to just four goals for the match and only one major in the second half.
The home side fought valiantly under a barrage of attacks and largely held the Blues at bay in the opening half before the weight of numbers eventually proved too much for the gallant Bloods.
While West Adelaide competed strongly in the midfield and eventually won the clearance battle 46-37, Sturt's clearances were much cleaner and more damaging, with many of West's clearances under significant pressure that caused turnovers.
Playing against his old side, Will Snelling put in another late claim for the Magarey Medal, picking up 28 disposals, 12 tackles and six clearances.
James Battersby (31 touches and eight clearances) and Tom Lewis (26 disposals and 18 tackles) were brutal around the stoppages and won first possession through sheer power.
Amos Doyle (35 hitouts and four clearances) controlled the ruck battle, while Steven Slimming (20 possessions and five inside 50s) was influential on the wing.
Sam Conforti (three goals) and James Mathews (two goals) did much of the damage up front and were a constant headache for the West Adelaide defence, while Connor McFadyen could have had a massive day if not for inaccuracy, finishing with 1.5.
Will Coomblas led the way down back for Sturt, holding Ned Stevens to just three disposals and a goal, while Zac Becker and Luke Edmunds were strong in the aerial contests and defused countless West Adelaide attacks.
Guy Page was reliable as always and largely kept Josh Gore in check, meanwhile Casey Voss (16 disposals) and Flynn Perez (15 touches) worked hard to move the ball out of defence on counterattack.
Despite another heavy loss, West Adelaide can take heart from the relentless effort across the board, particularly through the engine room.
Sam Frost (36 disposals and 10 clearances) and Kobe Ryan (29 disposals and 12 clearances) battled superbly through the midfield and more than held their own against Sturt's powerful midfield unit.
Lachie Squire (18 disposals and four clearances) and Brady Searle (17 touches and nine tackles) also had positive moments for the Bloods.
Josh Gore (two goals) was lively inside 50 and applied plenty of pressure on Sturt's defence once the ball hit the ground.
As he did in the previous meeting with Sturt, Dylan McCormick played a tagging role on Sturt half-back Casey Voss and negated his impact.
Callum Park (24 disposals and eight rebound 50s) was composed by foot when exiting defence, while Tom Morrish (18 disposals and five rebound 50s) also had some good moments
With Liam Delahunty out of the side, Hamish Ellem was pushed to full-back and stood alongside Connor McFadyen, performing admirably in one-on-one contests.
Jordan White locked down on the dangerous Josh Hone and kept him goalless, while Darcy Minchella spent more time in the ruck and battled valiantly despite the obvious size mismatch with Doyle.
Port Adelaide 6.11.(47) def by Adelaide Crows 19.10.(124)
Adelaide kept their finals dream alive with a hefty 77-point win against Port Adelaide in the SANFL Showdown at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Played as a curtain-raiser to the AFL Showdown later that night, the Crows claimed their fourth consecutive SANFL Showdown in dominant fashion.
After Woodville-West Torrens' win earlier in the day, Adelaide will now need to beat Sturt on Saturday and have Norwood defeat the Eagles to be any hope of September action.
Meanwhile, Port Adelaide will require a win against Central District this weekend to have a chance of avoiding their first wooden spoon since 1900, currently sitting percentage behind South Adelaide.
In greasy conditions caused by persistent rain, Port Adelaide made the running in the opening term to lead by five points at the main break as they found easy targets inside 50.
From there Adelaide turned on the afterburners to kick 17 of the last 20 goals, including 12 goals in the second half as they ran all over the helpless Magpies.
The Crows were again propelled by stellar performances from their senior AFL-listed players who continue to push for selection at the next level.
Brodie Smith (34 disposals and four rebound 50s) showed all his class and experience as he used the ball beautifully and set up countless attacking forays.
Billy Dowling (30 disposals and seven tackles) was damaging around the stoppages, while Charlie Edwards (22 touches and a goal) followed up last week's brilliant performance with another strong showing.
SANFL contracted player Jay Boyle produced one of his best games, collecting 24 touches, 16 tackles, seven clearances and seven inside 50s, while Chayce Jones (24 disposals and six inside 50s) worked hard on the wing.
Will Hamill (20 disposals and four rebound 50s) provided his customary speed across half-back to help break the game open, while Oscar Ryan (17 disposals and five rebound 50s) was damaging with ball in hand and battled well against Tom Anastasopoulos.
James Borlase was a strong presence with his aerial work and kept Tom Scully virtually unsighted after quarter time, while Jack Madgen competed superbly with Ollie Lord in the one-on-one contests and kept him to just one major.
Father-son prospect Tyler Welsh enjoyed a breakout performance, kicking five goals and taking several impressive marks, while Chris Burgess proved too strong for Tom Clurey and kicked four majors.
Toby Murray (two goals) played a solid game stationed mostly inside 50, while Ned McHenry (19 touches and a goal) was damaging inside 50.
For Port Adelaide, the continued development of Will Lorenz as a full-time midfielder was a major positive, as he finished with 27 touches, 12 tackles and eight clearances.
Murphy Short (20 disposals and eight tackles), Aiden Turner (19 disposals and nine tackles) and Cody Szust (22 disposals) all chipped in through the midfield at different times.
The ruck combination of Ivan Soldo (27 hitouts and a goal) and Dante Visentini (25 hitouts and four marks) worked well as they rotated between the ruck and full-forward.
Josh Sinn (23 disposals and nine rebound 50s) was busy throughout and used the ball well, while at the other end Tom Scully found space to kick two early goals but faded thereafter.
