Central District produced a miraculous comeback to pip the Eagles, a pair of North Adelaide recruits put on a clinic and a handful of senior Crows put their hands up for AFL selection.
Read all about it in this week's SANFL Wrap.
Port Adelaide 4.10.(34) def by Glenelg 14.14.(98)
Glenelg got their premiership defence underway with a commanding 64-point win over Port Adelaide at Alberton on Friday night.
After a relatively even first half that saw the reigning premiers lead by just 10 points at the main break, the Tigers surged clear with nine goals to nil after halftime to send an ominous warning shot to the competition.
The win was set up with a dominant third term in which Glenelg piled on six unanswered goals while Port had to wait until the 21st minute to register an inside 50.
Returning duo Luke Partington (26 disposals, four clearances and five inside 50s) and Jarryd Lyons (19 disposals) hit the ground running with impressive displays through the midfield.
Off-season recruit Patrick Parnell (20 disposals and five marks) slotted in superbly in defence with his sharp ball use and reading of the play.
James Bell (23 disposals, five clearances and seven inside 50s) was arguably best on ground with his dynamic play, while Corey Lyons (19 disposals) also had an impact.
Lachie Hosie was curtailed in the first half by Rory Atkins but exploded into life in the second half to finish with four goals and 10 marks in a typically energetic display.
Nick Stevens (17 disposals and five marks) was impactful in defence while Max Proud (18 disposals and six marks) was his usual reliable self.
In a positive sign for Port Adelaide, North Melbourne VFL recruit Jack Watkins was their best player with 26 disposals and eight marks as he added much-needed polish to the Magpies' midfield.
Hugh Jackson (17 disposals and three clearances) also worked hard in the middle while Central District recruit Jez McLennan (17 disposals) spent plenty of time in the midfield.
Dante Visentini dominated the ruck duel with Cam McGree, finishing with 35 hit-outs and three clearances to consistently give his midfielders quality looks at the ball.
Central District recruit Shay Linke (two goals and five inside 50s) was a shining light up forward with his marking and smarts around the goal.
Jeremy Finlayson spent much of the night in attack and finished with 1.2 from 15 disposals and seven marks.
Draftee Benny Barrett (12 touches and six tackles) was a constant presence with his speed and pressure, while fellow draftee Jack Whitlock showed glimpses on a tough night for the Port forwards.
Dylan Williams (20 disposals and five rebound 50s) found plenty of the footy at half-back, while Kyle Marshall and Jacob Moss battled hard in a defence that was often under siege.
Rory Atkins (24 disposals and nine rebound 50s) was engaged in a fascinating battle with Lachie Hosie, restricting the Tiger forward in the first half before struggling under the weight of numbers in the second half.
Central District 9.12.(66) def Woodville-West Torrens 10.5.(65)
Central District produced a stirring comeback to snatch a one-point win in a thrilling opening round clash against Woodville-West Torrens at Elizabeth on Saturday.
The Dogs conceded six consecutive goals across the halftime break to trail by 27 points midway through the third term before kicking five unanswered majors of their own to take the lead 10 minutes into the last quarter.
A clever snap from Jay Watson and a long bomb from Jordan Lukac gave the Eagles a seven-point advantage soon after time-on to seemingly seal the contest.
But behinds from Aiden Grace and Dyson Sharp brought the Dogs within five points before taking the ball the length of the field, where Nick Lange slotted a running goal from 40 metres to pinch victory.
It was a dramatic finish to what had largely been a scrappy contest, with both teams struggling to produce any fluency in their ball movement.
Central had the game on their terms for much of the day, registering 18 more inside 50s, but lacked polish in front of the sticks to kick a wayward 9.12.
Pleasingly for the Bulldogs, it was two of their recruits who were among the best players, with Kobe Annand (17 hit-outs and four clearances) influential in the ruck, while Zach Adams (17 touches and 10 marks) was impressive with his intercept marking.
The Dogs benefited from an even contribution across the field, especially through the midfield, where the load was spread evenly across several key playmakers.
Mani Liddy (20 disposals and five clearances), Leyton Chisolm (21 disposals and nine tackles), Wilson Barry (20 touches and six inside 50s) and Harry Grant (19 possessions and five clearances) all had their moments and played their part.
Jai Larkins worked hard on the wing to accumulate 18 disposals and kick a clutch goal from a set shot in the final term.
Billy Iles (17 disposals and seven rebound 50s) racked up plenty of the ball at half-back, while Ollie Shaw (19 disposals and nine marks) played a crucial role as a negating small defender.
George Kendall (16 disposals and seven marks) was a steady hand in defence and blended defence and attack nicely.
Aiden Grace was kept in check by Max Litster for most of the day, but his influence grew as he finished with two goals including an important set shot in the last term.
Anzac Lochowiak (13 disposals and a goal) was lively across the forward line and nailed a superb goal under pressure to continue the Dogs' momentum in the final quarter.
However, the win was soured by an ACL injury to gun full-back Brinn Little, who will now miss the rest of the season.
Returning premiership star Kobe Mutch was the Eagles' best on the day with 32 disposals and six clearances in a supreme midfield display.
Fellow returning flag hero Jack Hayes (20 disposals and 10 marks) played mostly in the forward line and was potent both in the air and on the ground.
Kade Herbert (17 touches and five clearances) looked comfortable during his time in the midfield, while Jordan Lukac (22 hit-outs and four clearances) held his own in the ruck duel and followed up well at ground level.
Star forward Connor Ballenden had a big say in the contest with five goals and seven marks as he proved a handful for the Bulldogs' defence.
James Rowe (26 disposals and two goals) shone with his polished ball use and nous around goal, while Luke McKay (22 disposals) also proved a threat around the ball.
Youngster Jay Watson (two goals) was well-held by Billy Iles but took his opportunities with a pair of sharp efforts on goal.
Captain Joe Sinor (28 disposals and seven rebound 50s) was stationed in defence and provided a steadying influence along with Sam Rowland (17 touches), while Max Beattie (21 disposals and five rebound 50s) was outstanding in his new defensive role.
Inexperienced pair Liam Ueding and Brandon Jackson-Martin competed strongly in the aerial contests in defence, while Max Litster played a terrific shut-down role on Aiden Grace.
West Adelaide 4.7.(31) def by Adelaide 18.18.(126)
Adelaide flexed their muscles with a thumping 95-point win over an undermanned West Adelaide at Richmond Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Featuring 17 AFL-listed players, Adelaide were simply too strong all over the park as they kept the hapless Bloods goalless until early in the final quarter.
West managed to avoid the embarrassment of a complete shutout with four final-quarter goals but the game was well and truly done by then.
Adelaide enjoyed an even contribution across the ground and racked up 12 individual goal kickers as the Crows feasted on an inexperienced Bloods team.
Luke Nankervis (29 touches and two goals) pushed for an AFL recall as one of the Crows' best, while Harry Schoenberg (29 possessions and a goal), Sam Berry (22 disposals and a goal) and Charlie Edwards (21 disposals and five inside 50s) all put in solid displays.
Lachlan Murphy (26 disposals and five clearances) and Zac Taylor (15 disposals and five clearances) spent more time around the ball and held their own.
Luke Pedlar (17 touches and six clearances) was strong around the footy, while marquee SANFL recruit Blake Drury (20 disposals, five clearances and two goals) slotted in seamlessly.
SSP signing Lachlan McAndrew (37 hit-outs) dominated the ruck duel against the undersized Hamish Ellem, while Jordon Butts (14 touches) and Jack Madgen (10 disposals and seven marks) were strong in defence.
Brodie Smith (24 disposals, seven marks and a goal) showed his class at half-back and broke the game open with his elite ball use.
Chris Burgess (2.4) was a constant threat up forward and could have had a bigger impact if not for wayward kicking, while Tyler Welsh (one goal) showed some positive signs in attack.
Despite the magnitude of the loss, West can take solace in the performance of their midfield, which more than held its own against the Crows' senior bodies.
Kobe Ryan (28 disposals, seven tackles and nine clearances) continued his superb form from last year with a stellar display, while Sam Frost (25 touches and four clearances) won plenty of the footy at the contest.
Tom Morrish (26 touches and 13 rebound 50s) worked overtime to continually rebound the ball from defence, as did Callum Park (16 disposals and five marks).
Inexperienced duo Will Paton and Cooper Patterson competed strongly as the key defenders but were ultimately overpowered by the weight of inside 50s for the Crows.
Hamish Ellem (15 disposals) fought valiantly in the ruck, while Tom Scully (one goal and five marks) was starved of opportunity but eventually found his first major back in Westies colours.
South Adelaide 8.7.(55) def by Sturt 12.9.(81)
Sturt overcame a plucky Panthers outfit to eventually earn a hard-fought 26-point win at Noarlunga on Saturday afternoon.
Despite being ultimately outmatched, the young Panthers trailed by just five points at the final change before the Blues pulled away late with a five-goal-to-two last quarter.
Sturt's intent to share the footy resulted in 100 more disposals and 50 more marks as they controlled the ball for much of the day.
As is to be expected at Sturt, it was their defenders who led the way, with Will Coomblas (28 disposals and 13 marks) earning best-on-ground honours.
Flynn Perez (25 touches and 11 marks) and Casey Voss (24 disposals and nine marks) provided their customary rebound from defence.
Tom Lewis (23 touches and six clearances), Will Snelling (23 disposals and 11 tackles), James Battersby (21 possessions and nine marks) and Jared Dakin (19 disposals and six clearances) all shared the load through the midfield.
Returning speedster Martin Frederick (17 disposals) offered his usual run and dash along the wing, while Amos Doyle (27 hit-outs) controlled the ruck duel.
Ex-Fremantle forward Tom Emmett (21 disposals, seven marks and two goals) hit the ground running back at his old club, causing havoc across half forward both in the air and at ground level.
Sam Conforti (16 disposals and two goals) was busy inside 50s, as were Josh Hone (11 touches and two goals) and Oliver Grivell (two goals).
Although eventually falling short, South will be buoyed by the form of overlooked draftee Phoenix Hargrave, who looked more than comfortable in the midfield to pick up 16 disposals, five tackles and six clearances.
Ollie Davis (20 disposals and eight tackles) battled valiantly in a midfield unit that was hurt by the loss of Luke Bogle early in the game, while recruit Ben Ashley-Cooper (14 disposals and 11 tackles) provided plenty of physicality.
Corey Grocock (four goals) was another bright spot up forward with his versatility and goal nous, while Angus Bradley also finished with two majors.
At the other end, Elliot Dunkin (19 touches and six rebound 50s) showed his usual dash and flair exiting defence, while Sam Skinner (10 disposals and five rebound 50s) competed strongly in the aerial contests.
Norwood 5.5.(35) def by North Adelaide 8.19.(67)
North Adelaide signalled just how good they could be in season 2025 with a statement-making 32-point win over Norwood at The Parade on Saturday night.
The Roosters were the dominant team from the outset and deserved to win by more, but were held back by their inaccuracy in front of goal.
North stunned their hosts with the first six goals of the match to keep Norwood goalless until time on in the second term in a clinical display.
Holding ascendancy through the midfield with 32 more contested possessions and 17 more inside 50s, the game was played mostly in North's front half but they failed to cash in on the scoreboard.
Norwood struggled to move the ball forward with any efficiency and were sloppy with ball in hand, with the North defenders able to feast on turnovers all night.
To rub salt into the wounds for the Redlegs, it was former Norwood ruckman Alex Van Wyk who led the way for North, collecting 31 hit-outs, eight clearances and four contested marks in a commanding display both in the ruck and around the ground.
Fellow recruit Angus Schumacher was similarly impressive, finishing with 28 disposals and 10 clearances as he took control of the midfield battle.
Former Gold Coast AFL-listed midfielder Oskar Faulkhead (23 disposals and eight tackles) was busy throughout, while Zavier Maher (20 touches and three clearances) was a consistent contributor.
Harrison Wigg and Will Francou (both 19 possessions) controlled their respective wings with ease and provided plenty of attacking flair.
Frank Szekely (two goals), Ewan McKinlay (18 touches and 1.3), Cody Raak (one goal) and Kelsey Rypstra (1.2) were all lively presences in the forward half and caused plenty of headaches for the Norwood defence.
Harrison Magor (16 disposals and four rebound 50s), Dyson Hilder (15 possessions) and Reed Van Huisstede were all resolute in defence and severely curtailed the impact of Norwood's big men.
On a lean night for Norwood, returning star Nik Rokahr was a shining light with 29 disposals and seven clearances and looked a class above in the Redlegs midfield.
Captain Jacob Kennerley (15 disposals and eight tackles) and Mitch O'Neill (18 disposals and seven tackles) toiled valiantly but, like many of their teammates, were somewhat errant with the ball.
Jack Heard (25 disposals and 13 marks) held up the defence superbly under extreme pressure, while Cooper Murley (23 disposals and eight rebound 50s) and Matthew Ling (23 touches and nine rebound 50s) worked tirelessly at half-back.
With ruckman Luke Surman a late out with an ankle injury, Finn Heard (13 hit-outs and a goal) was forced to shoulder much of the ruck duties and competed fiercely against strong opposition.
