Adelaide continued their late-season revival to remain a finals hopeful, Glenelg made a huge statement in knocking off the ladder leaders, the Eagles extended their losing run to leave their finals spot in jeopardy, while Sturt moved equal-top with their 10th straight win.
Read all about it in this week's SANFL wrap.
Glenelg 11.15.(81) def Norwood 6.11.(47)
Glenelg returned to its best form and sent a warning shot to the competition with a powerful 34-point win over Norwood at the Bay on Saturday.
Coming off two consecutive losses for the first time in Darren Reeves' coaching tenure, Glenelg produced its best performance of the year in comfortably pushing aside the top-of-the-table Redlegs.
Conceding the first two goals of the contest, the Tigers dominated every aspect of the game thereafter, putting on a midfield masterclass and recapturing their electric ball movement.
Glenelg won clearances by 14 and inside 50s by 13 across the afternoon, consistently out-numbering at the contest and going in harder to win first possession.
Once they had the ball in their possession, the Tigers exited stoppage with speed and set up dangerous attacking forays that the Redlegs' defence simply could not handle.
After experiencing a lean patch of form in recent weeks, Glenelg skipper Liam McBean was on fire, kicking the Tigers' first five goals to finish with six for the afternoon.
Corey Lyons was perhaps the most damaging player on the ground, collecting 28 disposals and seven inside 50s as he continually launched the Tigers into attack.
James Bell (21 disposals and seven clearances) was dynamic around the contest, while 200-gamer Matthew Snook (23 disposals and eight clearances) provided his customary toughness at the stoppages.
Matthew Allen (20 disposals and two goals) was hugely influential throughout, as was Chris Curran (23 disposals) with his ball use across the ground.
Austin Kitschke played an important role in negating Norwood big man Jackson Callow, while Oscar Adams was impressive in defence and took several important pack marks.
Harry Boyd was again the standout for Norwood, taking on a three-pronged Glenelg ruck division to still come away with the points to register 17 disposals, 49 hitouts and 10 clearances.
Baynen Lowe (19 disposals and a goal) was lively through the midfield, while Alec Wright (17 disposals and five tackles) battled valiantly throughout.
Jackson Callow and Izaak Twelftree fought through tough matchups to finish with two goals apiece in a forward line largely starved of opportunity.
Jack Heard played mostly on the dangerous Luke Reynolds, and while he was beaten a few times in open play as Heard had his measure in the one-on-one contests.
Pierce Seymour was a welcome return with his leadership in the backline, while Tom Donnelly moved onto Liam McBean after half-time and curbed his influence.
Central District 12.2.(74) def North Adelaide 9.8.(62)
Central District produced a magnificent last-quarter comeback to overcome North Adelaide and remain in the race for the top three.
Trailing by 18 points at the last change, Central stormed home with seven goals in the last quarter as they finished the game full of running.
Kicking a deadly accurate 12.2 for the afternoon, Central locked in their second successive finals berth and put a major dent in North's finals hopes.
Despite comfortably winning disposals, tackles, clearances and inside 50s, the Roosters were unable to stem the bleeding when the Dogs went inside 50.
The loss is another wasted opportunity for North Adelaide to draw level on points with Woodville-West Torrens in their race for fifth position, with time quickly running out for them to make a late charge.
After copping an all-time hiding from Harry Boyd in last week's loss to Norwood, the Bulldogs' ruck pairing of Harvey Howe and Beau Thomas bounced back admirably, combining for 47 hitouts and nine clearances.
Attacking livewire Aiden Grace played a big role in the win, kicking three goals and having a hand in several others as he played with great energy and dynamism.
Isaiah Dudley and Jake Gasper were also dangerous attacking threats and chipped in with two goals each.
Wilson Barry (18 disposals and two goals) played a serviceable game on the wing, while Harry Grant (two goals) wasn't as prolific as usual but stood up in the big moments.
Billy Iles (18 disposals and five rebound 50s) was busy across the half-back line and Rhett Montgomerie was an important aerial influence in taking seven marks in defence.
For North Adelaide, Mitch Harvey was stationed permanently in attack and finished with five goals as the Roosters' most dangerous attacking option.
Campbell Combe (22 disposals and eight clearances) was a consistent performer, as was Harrison Wigg with 21 touches and five inside 50s.
Jake Patmore (19 disposals and four inside 50s) was a welcome return, while Harrison Magor (18 disposals) and Sam Ramsay (25 disposals and a goal) were solid contributors.
Hughen Wissman was tireless in his lockdown role on Jez McLennan while also finding 16 disposals of his own, while Dyson Hilder moved into the ruck and competed strongly
Sturt 9.14.(68) def Port Adelaide 6.9.(45)
Sturt drew level with Norwood at the top of the SANFL ladder with a gritty 23-point win over Port Adelaide at Unley Oval.
Stretching their winning streak to 10 games, the Double Blues are now just 0.2% behind ladder leaders Norwood with three games to play.
The win wasn't without a fright for the all-conquering Sturt, who went into the last quarter trailing by a point after missing several gettable shots in the opening half.
With the game on the line, the Blues produced a powerful final quarter, kicking four goals to none to eventually see off the Magpies' challenge.
Sturt's short-kicking game was in full swing, taking 122 marks as they moved the ball from the back with chip passes to their leading forwards.
Will Snelling (36 disposals and nine tackles) was back to his best form and hugely influential throughout with his ability to win the ball at stoppage and use his creativity on the outside as well.
James Battersby (20 disposals and eight clearances) fought hard as always in the clinches, while Jared Dakin (24 touches) also enjoyed plenty of the ball.
Steven Slimming (21 disposals and a goal) worked hard on the wing and played a key role in Sturt's attacking ball movement.
Sam Conforti (25 possessions and a goal) was busy all day, working hard up the ground to find the footy and was a dangerous presence inside 50.
Josh Hone played a leading role in attack and finished with four goals and 16 disposals, proving a massive headache for the Port defence.
Lachie Burrows was moved into the ruck early after Daniel Fahy-Sparks went down with a hand injury, fighting bravely against AFL-listed ruckman Dante Visentini to finish with 13 hitouts and six clearances.
Casey Voss and Flynn Perez (24 disposals each) were important influences across half-back, setting up many of Sturt's attacking forays.
For Port Adelaide, several AFL-listed players continued their good form and put up a strong case for AFL selection.
Dante Visentini (45 hitouts and five clearances) was a dominant force in the ruck once again, while Hugh Jackson (20 disposals and six inside 50s) and Will Lorenz (24 disposals and five clearances) were strong through the midfield.
Cody Szust (22 disposals and five tackles) relished his time in the middle, as did Murphy Short (18 disposals).
Trent McKenzie (18 touches and five rebound 50s) was solid in defence, while father-son prospect Louie Montgomery (16 disposals) was impressive on league debut.
South Adelaide 10.11.(71) def West Adelaide 7.8.(50)
A spirited final-quarter display propelled South Adelaide to a 21-point win over West Adelaide at Noarlunga on Saturday.
Trailing by seven points at the final change, the Panthers kicked five goals to one in the last term to run away with a victory that takes them a step closer to avoiding the wooden spoon.
Winning their second game in succession for the first time since Round 2 last year, South are now a game and percentage clear of bottom-placed Port Adelaide with three games remaining.
Meanwhile, West Adelaide are now all but out of the finals race, with the Bloods unable to follow on from their spirited win against Woodville-West Torrens.
Midfield gun Kobe Mutch was instrumental in the Panthers' victory, leading the engine room with 27 disposals, 10 clearances and 13 tackles in an outstanding display.
He was ably supported by AFL draft hopeful Sid Draper, who finished with 26 disposals and a goal, continuing his stellar run of form at league level.
Hayden Sampson (29 disposals) worked hard all afternoon, while Ollie Davis (24 disposals) and Charlie Duncan (22 disposals) were other key contributors.
Small forward Corey Grocock followed up his breakout performance last week to finish with three goals as the Panthers' only multiple goalkicker.
Jonti Schuback (21 disposals and five rebound 50s) provided plenty of spark across the half-back line, while Sam Skinner (seven rebound 50s) and Oscar Clavarino (seven marks) continually took the Panthers out of defence.
West Adelaide had young gun Kobe Ryan lead the way, collecting 29 disposals, 11 clearances and eight tackles as he continued his rich vein of form.
Sam Frost (26 disposals, nine tackles and a goal) was formidable in the contest once again, while Brady Searle (19 disposals and five clearances) was a solid contributor throughout.
Wyatt Ryan enjoyed perhaps his best game at senior level, winning the ruck duel against Olivier Northam to finish with 16 disposals, 35 hit-outs and six clearances.
Luke Redfern was impactful in the forward line and kicked three goals while also working hard without the ball to apply pressure on the Panthers' defence.
Liam Delahunty played another terrific game in his new role at full-back, looking comfortable as he took 10 marks and launched six rebound 50s.
Callum Park (23 disposals and six rebound 50s) was an important rebounding influence, while Will Patton (18 disposals and 10 marks) returned to some of his best form.
Woodville-West Torrens 8.12.(60) def by Adelaide Crows 11.10.(76)
Adelaide continued their late-season surge towards September action with a crucial 16-point win over Woodville-West Torrens on Sunday.
Having won four of their past five games, the Crows now sit just one game behind the Eagles in fifth spot, who are now in jeopardy of losing their place in the finals following five consecutive defeats.
While the Eagles showed glimpses of their best form and free-flowing ball movement, they lacked the polish and finishing skills in key moments.
Adelaide were again well-served by their crop of AFL-listed players who continue to push for AFL selection.
Josh Worrell returned to the team after recovering from a broken arm and didn't skip a beat, finishing with 31 disposals, nine marks and seven rebound 50s as he repelled everything that came his way.
Will Hamill (21 disposals and five rebound 50s) was electric with his run and carry from half-back, while Oscar Ryan (24 disposals and five marks) was composed and made good decisions both with and without the ball.
Harry Schoenberg (20 disposals and seven clearances) was a consistent performer for the Crows, while Charlie Edwards (22 disposals) was impactful throughout.
Kieran Strachan was largely nullified at the ruck contests, but shone with his work around the ground, collecting 19 disposals, six marks and a goal as he provided an important aerial presence in attack and defence.
Jay Boyle played one of his best games at SANFL level, collecting 25 disposals and five clearances and was damaging with his ability to burst out of stoppage.
With the Crows short on defensive stocks at the moment, Lachie Gollant was moved to defence and performed well before being moved back into attack in the last quarter and kicking an important goal.
Chris Burgess was solid in attack and kicked two goals in amongst a series of strong marks that proved an issue for the Woodville-West Torrens defence.
Unsurprisingly, Eagles captain Joe Sinor led from the front in defeat, racking up 30 disposals and eight tackles in a typically lion-hearted effort.
Luke McKay spent more time up the ground and had an impact, finishing with 29 disposals, six tackles and 2.4, with only inaccuracy preventing him from having an even bigger day out.
Zane Williams (19 disposals and four clearances) was serviceable through the midfield, as was Adam D'Aloia (25 disposals).
James Rowe (23 disposals and five inside 50s) was busy throughout, while Blake Hansen gathered 19 disposals in his second game of league football.
Josh Morris (23 disposals and eight marks) was a strong presence in defence both aerially and at ground level, while Max Litster (17 disposals and six marks) was also a solid contributor down back.
Sam Rowland (23 disposals and seven marks) was one of the Eagles' best, shutting down the dangerous Ned McHenry while also remaining an attacking threat with ball in hand.
Cameron Fleeton (22 disposals and five marks) and veteran Luke Thompson (20 disposals and six marks) held up well behind the ball.
Connor Ballenden (15 disposals and a goal) competed strongly as an aerial target while splitting his time in the ruck.
