We've just passed the halfway mark of the 2024 SANFL season, with premiership contenders and struggling sides emerging from their opening 10 games of the campaign so far.
Here we look at each club's state of play, their run home to finals and leading best and fairest contenders ahead of the final stretch.
Adelaide Crows
Position: 9th
Wins: 2
Losses: 8
Percentage: 42.51%
Biggest win: 41 points v Port Adelaide, Round 5
Biggest loss: 61 points v Sturt, Round 7
After consecutive preliminary final appearances in the last two years, Adelaide have tumbled down the ladder in season 2024, sitting ninth with just two wins.
The Crows lost crucial players over the off-season including Jackson Hately and Tyler Brown, which has left their midfield exposed and reliant on younger players to get the job done.
Injuries at AFL level have not helped their cause, with key players Josh Worrell, Patrick Parnell, James Borlase, Mark Keane, Brayden Cook, Will Hamill, Chris Burgess and Elliott Himmelberg all playing four or fewer SANFL games this season.
As a result, the Crows' offensive potency has taken a huge hit this season, going from the highest-scoring team in 2023 to eighth in 2024.
Despite these woes, Adelaide have remained largely competitive this season, with four of their eight losses coming by 20 points or less.
They pushed North Adelaide to 16 points at Prospect in Round 4 and Norwood to three goals at The Parade in Round 6.
Even in their losses, they have played out most games to the very end, evidenced by several spirited last-quarter performances against quality teams.
Adelaide kicked five of the last six goals against North Adelaide to reduce a 38-point deficit to just 16 points and kicked the last six goals against Glenelg to turn a 77-point margin into 38 points at the final bell.
The Crows retrieved a 33-point deficit against South Adelaide in Round 1 to run out winners by five points at Noarlunga.
While the ladder does not make for pretty reading, Crows fans can take solace in the development of several emerging players who have taken great strides in the absence of bigger-name players.
At the head of that list is midfielder Billy Dowling, who earned his AFL debut after an exceptional start to the year in the SANFL, averaging 24 disposals and five clearances across eight games.
Zac Taylor has been another bright spot for Adelaide, relishing more midfield responsibility and showing his ability to win the ball and break away from stoppages.
Forward/ruckman Toby Murray was elevated to Adelaide's AFL list following an impressive block of form in the SANFL, kicking 10 goals from eight games and spending time in the ruck when needed.
New draftees Oscar Ryan and Dan Curtin have shown plenty of promise in defence, while Charlie Edwards has seen some midfield time and proved he is fearless in cracking in at the stoppages.
Best & Fairest contenders:
Kieran Strachan has enjoyed another consistent season in the ruck, sitting second in the competition for hitouts and providing excellent service to his midfielders.
Dowling and Taylor will both feature heavily as they lead the way in the midfield, while Jay Boyle has played every game and been serviceable throughout the season, averaging 18 disposals and three clearances.
Skipper Jack Madgen has been a reliable performer in defence and Toby Murray's versatility has been invaluable in addition to the marking option he provides in attack.
While Dan Curtin has missed a couple of games with the AFL team, he is looking more confident with each game and has found plenty of the ball as an attacking rebound defender.
Injury report:
Adelaide's injury list has been lengthy for much of the season, but the Crows can expect to regain some troops over the coming weeks.
Himmelberg is set to return from a cheekbone injury after the bye, while Tate Coleman is expected to return in a fortnight and Josh Worrell is still three away with a wrist injury.
AFL stars Riley Thilthorpe and Taylor Walker are set to return soon, which will see the SANFL team regain some talent from the senior side.
Wayne Milera, Patrick Parnell and Matt Crouch have all been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
The run home:
Adelaide faces a tough stretch ahead, meeting four of the current top-five teams in the competition over the next five weeks.
The Crows will play two matches at Adelaide Oval against West Adelaide and Port Adelaide, both of which are very winnable given they got within 20 points of West at Richmond and beat Port Adelaide convincingly in their previous encounters.
