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.
Woodville-West Torrens
Position: 4th
Wins: 7
Losses: 3
Percentage: 58.14%
Biggest win: 92 points v North Adelaide, Round 2
Biggest loss: 15 points v Central District, Round 4
After missing finals the last two seasons, Woodville-West Torrens have made a flying start to 2024 under new coach Sam Jacobs.
Sitting at 7-3 after 10 rounds, the Eagles are as well placed as any for a crack at the premiership this year.
The Eagles have become an attacking juggernaut this year and are by far and away the highest-scoring team with an average of 91 points per game.
They have cracked the 80-point barrier on six occasions already this year, having done so only four times in 2023.
Impressively, the Eagles are responsible for the highest score conceded by both Sturt and Norwood - the competition's two best defensive teams.
Also of note is the fact that both of these wins were away from home and the only losses suffered by Sturt and Norwood at home this season.
This new-found attacking flourish is largely on the back of fast, slick ball movement that even the best defensive teams have struggled to contain.
The Eagles attack with speed from half-back, taking the game on with blistering run and daring ball use through the middle of the ground.
Players like Josh Morris, Luke Thompson and Sam Rowland have been the main catalysts.
Morris has proved a great recruit since returning from Hawthorn, with his ability to intercept and use the ball wisely out of defence making him a damaging weapon.
Luke Beecken caught the eye so much with his speed and creativity off half-back that Brisbane Lions selected him in the AFL Mid-Season Draft.
The forward line has cashed in on the back of this, with five players kicking 10 or more goals across the first half of the season.
Boasting an embarrassment of riches inside 50, the Eagles have a bevy of scoring options that are all dangerous commodities around the goal and provide a different threat.
Connor Ballenden has enjoyed a white-hot start to the season, sitting third in the Ken Farmer Medal race and ranking second in the league for contested marks, working hard as a bail-out kick down the line and taking pack marks that open up the play.
Patrick Weckert has emerged as a genuine key forward who can take strong marks and work up the ground as a lead-up player, while Luke McKay is a lethal ball-user forward of centre and finds the footy in dangerous places.
The forward line has been well-serviced by the Eagles' midfield brigade, which has started the year in sparkling form.
Captain Joe Sinor is leading from the front again with his endeavour and toughness both with and without the ball, while Riley Knight has been damaging at the contest and works hard around the ground.
Adam D'Aloia has stepped up another gear in 2024 and was unlucky to miss selection at the AFL Mid-Season Draft, with his ability to hunt the footy and break away from stoppages now at elite levels.
Zane Williams has moved into the midfield this season and relished the opportunity, adding a new dimension to the mix with his speed and agility.
James Rowe remains one of the most damaging players in the competition, with his sublime skills and decision-making allowing him to hit targets inside 50 that others cannot.
Jarrad Redden has been outstanding since coming out of retirement in the off-season, clearly losing none of his competitiveness or ruck craft during his year out of footy.
While much of the discussion around Woodville-West Torrens has centred on their attack, the hard work done by the defensive unit must also be acknowledged.
Jack Firns blankets the opposition's best forward every week, Luke Thompson has the experience to mind his opponent and get involved in offence, while Max Litster and Jordan Moore clamp down on the dangerous small forwards.
Best & Fairest contenders:
Adam D'Aloia will certainly gain a lot of votes off the back of his explosive start to the season, ranking fifth in the league for tackles and disposals and second for clearances.
Connor Ballenden has been hugely influential as a marking target and proving more than serviceable as a back-up ruckman.ย
Last year's winner James Rowe is invaluable with his clean skills and ability to hit the scoreboard, while Joe Sinor will be in the mix for his consistency and utter commitment to the cause.
Josh Morris has been particularly damaging across half-back, as have Luke Thompson and Sam Rowland.
Jarrad Redden has been the Eagles' saviour in the ruck and performed magnificently, while Riley Knight, Luke McKay and Zane Williams have all featured prominently.
Patrick Weckert has made huge strides in his development and been a consistent contributor, as have Zac Buck, Matt Goldsworthy, Jack Firns and Max Litster.
Injury report:
Battling a lengthy injury list earlier in the season, the Eagles have slowly regained troops over the past few weeks with more on the way.
Lukas Cooke, Troy Menzel and Jarrad Redden are on the verge of returning to the line-up,ย while Matt Goldsworthy could be back within a fortnight from a hamstring injury.
Daniel Sladojevic and David Brinker-Ritchie are out long-term and unlikely to return this season.
The run home:
Playing a glut of early home games to start the season, five of the Eagles' last eight games are on the road and include trips to Prospect, Noarlunga, Richmond and Alberton
Fortunately, only one of those matches is against a current top-five team - a trip to Glenelg in Round 13.
The Eagles also have only three remaining match-ups against current top-five teams, two of which will be at home against teams they have already beaten in Norwood and Sturt.
