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.
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.
Position: 5th
Wins: 7
Losses: 3
Percentage: 54.32%
Biggest win: 63 points v South Adelaide, Round 10
Biggest loss: 50 points v Norwood, Round 7
Central District have set themselves up nicely for a crack at their first top-three finish in 12 years after a solid start to season 2024.
The Doggies came bursting out of the blocks to win their first five games and sit atop the ladder after five rounds.
However, their form slumped thereafter, losing the next three games, including two at home to put them back among the chasing pack.
Centrals have shown marked improvement in their attacking output this year, going from the second-worst scoring team last year to the third-best so far in 2024.
Scoring over 90 points just twice last season, the Bulldogs achieved that feat in each of their first four games this year as they looked far more potent inside 50.
Key spearhead Aiden Grace has been pivotal in the offensive revival, kicking 22 goals in 10 games to sit second in the Ken Farmer Medal race.
Lively small forward Jake Gasper has proved a superb pickup from Port Melbourne, kicking 20 goals in eight games and providing a genuine threat whenever the ball is in his area.
The Bulldogs' ability to take their chances in front of goal was also crucial in their early-season blitz, kicking 47.31 across the first four games to rank first for accuracy in the competition.
Reigning Magarey medallist Harry Grant's impact on this team was highlighted in his absence with a knee injury, with the Bulldogs losing all three games he missed and winning all seven he has played in.
Grant has received some close checking from opposition teams and was tagged largely out of the game in Round 1 by North Adelaide, but is still averaging 24 disposals, five clearances and seven tackles as one of the premier mids in the league.
Ruckman Billy McCormack has been a big loss for Centrals, going down with a knee injury in Round 3 that ended his season after a stellar 2023 campaign.
The Bulldogs have had to lean on rookie ruckman Harvey Howe and young tall Beau Thomas, who have been admirable in filling the void but ultimately outmatched by the league's bigger ruckmen.
Despite sitting in the top five, doubts remain around the Bulldogs' form against top teams.
Five of their seven wins have come against bottom-five teams, while all three of their losses have been to other top-five teams.
Two of these were at home against Sturt and Norwood, the latter featured a scarcely believable 11-goal third quarter from the Legs in which Central were utterly powerless.
They did get back on the winners' list with a meritorious six-point win over the Eagles at Woodville, holding their powerful attack to its lowest score of the season.
Another area of improvement for the Bulldogs has been their form away from home, winning three games on the road already this year compared to just two for all of last season.
Best & Fairest contenders:
Despite missing three games with injury, Harry Grant will again be high up in the voting for Centrals, enjoying a consistent season and playing a big role in the Bulldogs' fortunes this year.
Brinn Little has emerged as one of the competition's best key defenders this season, earning his first state jumper in the game against Western Australia and playing key shutdown roles on the opposition's best key forward each week.
Jez McLennan was unlucky to miss out on selection at the AFL Mid-Season Draft following an excellent start to the year in defence, using his aerial skills to patrol the backline and expertly intercept opposition attacks.
Billy Iles has been critical in the Bulldogs' defence with his creativity and decision-making with ball in hand, ranking fourth in the competition for rebound 50s.
Forwards Aiden Grace and Jake Gasper will feature prominently in the voting, while Nick Lange has been a consistent contributor and valuable in attack and behind the ball.
Kade Ditmarr has been another shrewd recruit for the Bulldogs, averaging six tackles and five clearances per game.
Mani Liddy has shown noticeable improvement in his game so far this year, averaging 18 touches and five clearances as a ball-winning mid.
Kyle Presbury is enjoying more midfield time and has added a tougher edge to the Dogs' engine room, while Luca Whitelum has been dependable playing mostly in defence as a lockdown player.
Injury report:
The Bulldogs have endured a lengthy injury list for most of the year and it is not getting any healthier.
Jez McLennan missed the win over South Adelaide with an ankle injury and faces a fitness test before returning, as do Kyle Presbury and Dayne Posthuma.
Key defenders Luca Whitelum, George Kendall and Marcus Barreau all face another fortnight on the sidelines along with midfielder Leyton Chisolm.
Key forward pairing Ethan East and Dale Pearce will come back towards the end of the home and away season, while Billy McCormack is done for the year.
The run home:
The Bulldogs' next three games are all against bottom-five teams, two of which are at home.
They also have two games to play against Port Adelaide, presenting a potential percentage boost if they are good enough.
The run into September holds a few more challenges, facing Norwood at the Parade and Sturt at Unley as well as a clash with Glenelg.
Position: 3rd
Wins: 8
Losses: 2
Percentage: 55.97%
Biggest win: 66 points v Port Adelaide, Round 1
Biggest Loss: 38 points v Sturt, Round 4
Last year's premiers endured an indifferent start to the season, holding a 2-2 record after four rounds and suffering comprehensive defeats to Norwood and Sturt.
Their next two wins were less than convincing against South Adelaide and West Adelaide as their game looked clunky and far less potent than last year.
With most fans' attention focused on Norwood, Sturt and Woodville-West Torrens, who have all made flying starts to the year, Glenelg have quietly climbed up the ladder to sit second with an 8-2 record.
Importantly, the Tigers were able to find ways to win during their flat patch and are now in a great position to attack the rest of the season.
They have won their last six games, and in a scary sign for the rest of the competition, are yet to fully hit their straps.
Injuries have undoubtedly played a part, with key playmakers missing large chunks of footy.
Star ruckman Cam McGree went down in the first five minutes of the season with a shoulder injury and was sorely missed in the middle.
Reigning Ken Farmer medallist Lachie Hosie missed three games with a hand injury and upon returning against the Eagles suffered a knee injury that has ruled him out for the season.
Defender Darcy Bailey also missed three weeks, replacement ruckman Will Stockman lasted only two games before going down with an ankle injury and Liam Wisdom is yet to play this year as he battles a hamstring injury.
Despite all this, the Glenelg train has kept chugging along, with a host of fresh faces stepping up to fill the breach.
Hunter Window and Jake Walker have been given a taste of league footy and slotted seamlessly into the midfield, while Connor McLeod has taken on a bigger role through the middle and thrived.
Riley Holder has been sensational in holding up the ruck division in McGree's absence, giving a great contest in the ruck and using his mobility to follow up and get involved at ground level.
Hugh Stagg is now a regular member of the Glenelg forward setup, playing all 10 games as a small forward and kicking 10 goals.
Glenelg's much-feared attack started the year slowly, kicking scores of just 47 and 44 against Norwood and Sturt respectively as they struggled to move the ball with any fluency.
Since the loss to Sturt, the Tigers' lowest score has been 70 points and they now sit second in the league for points scored.
They also showed glimpses of their frightening scoring potential in putting on 150 points against Port Adelaide, which remains the highest score of the season.
When they can transition the ball with speed into the forward 50, the Tigers boast a fleet of match-winners that can beat their opponents in the air and on the ground.
Glenelg have remained defensively sound throughout the season with the fourth-best points conceded record.
Their back six has a terrific blend of lockdown defenders like Max Proud, Austin Kitschke and Brad McCarthy, as well as rebounding weapons such as Darcy Bailey and Jonty Scharenberg.
While the Tigers' midfield started the year slowly, they have kicked into gear in recent weeks, with the likes of Matthew Snook and Corey Lyons taking control.
This was on display in the win over Woodville-West Torrens as they brutalised the Eagles midfield and got the game on their terms.
Best & Fairest contenders:
The evenness of performance across the ground that was so pivotal in delivering the premiership last year is on display again, with a long list of players performing at their best.
Holder as the stand-in ruckman has been integral to keeping the Tigers afloat, while James Bell continues to be an an important cog in the midfield rotation.
Matthew Allen has enjoyed another stellar season and is emerging as one of the competition's best players, averaging 22 disposals and two goals per game as a highly damaging midfielder.
Corey Lyons and Matthew Snook have done plenty of heavy lifting in the midfield and are both currently in the competition's top 10 for clearances.
Alex Martini has been a revelation this year, moving from defence into the midfield and playing tagging roles on the likes of James Rowe and Kade Ditmarr but also finding plenty of the ball himself.
Jonty Scharenberg has been irrepressible this year and currently sits second in the league for rebound 50s, while Darcy Bailey has found plenty of the footy down back and added his usual attacking flair.
Chris Curran and Max Proud are piloting the backline expertly with their experience and ability to read the play, turning defence into attack with their intercepting prowess.
Austin Kitschke may not receive too much external focus but does a terrific job of nullifying the opposition's most dangerous key forward each week.
Injury report:
In another ominous sign for the opposition, Glenelg's injury list appears to be shortening as we enter the back half of the season, with most key players now on the park.
Liam Wisdom is in the frame to return next week, ruckman Will Stockman will remain sidelined for the next two months, while Hosie's season is over.
The run home:
Having played six of their first 10 games at home, Glenelg now face road trips to Alberton, Unley and Elizabeth in the back half of the season.
On the positive side, the Tigers still have match-ups against all bottom-three teams, giving them a chance to build some valuable percentage.
Position: 6th
Wins: 4
Losses: 6
Percentage: 48.72%
Biggest win: 84 points v Port Adelaide, Round 6
Biggest loss: 92 points v Woodville-West Torrens, Round 2
It has been a season of ups and downs for North Adelaide to start 2024 as they struggle to find consistency from week to week.
Their year started disastrously, with a 27-point loss at home to Central followed by a 92-point belting from Woodville-West Torrens that put their season at a crossroads.
They responded with a thrilling win over Sturt and a sparkling performance against Adelaide to get their season back on track.
North then exchanged wins and losses across the next six weeks, with percentage-boosting wins over struggling South Adelaide and Port Adelaide interrupted by a costly loss at West Adelaide.
At their best, North Adelaide looks like one of the most dangerous teams in the competition, with their slick ball movement and potent attack causing issues for opposition teams.
The Roosters have shown a clear desire to attack with speed out of the backline, turning defence into attack in an instant by taking risks with ball in hand.
Captain Alex Spina has racked up the most rebound 50s in the competition this season, while Harrison Wigg is ranked inside the top 10 for inside 50s.
They are dangerous weapons with their speed and skill and can give their forwards every opportunity to put a score on the board if given time and space.
Mitch Harvey's move to the forward line has proved a masterstroke, with his contested marking prowess creating major headaches for opposition defences.
He has combined superbly with hybrid forward Nigel Lockyer, who has kicked 20 goals for the season and is a major threat both in the air and at ground level.
Small forward Kelsey Rypstra was a key component of the attacking set-up with his pressure and running ability before being picked up by the Western Bulldogs in the AFL mid-season draft.
On the flip side, when opposition teams apply intense pressure and close down their time and space, North can be forced into crucial turnovers and leak heavy scores.
They have already conceded five scores greater than 80 points to start this season, compared to Sturt who have only conceded one such score across 10 games.
While their start to the year has been below expectation, North will be pleased with the rapid development of some younger players who have burst onto the scene.
Hughen Wissman was one of a handful of players brought in after the debacle at Woodville and shown plenty, averaging 17 disposals and three clearances as he assumes a greater role in the midfield.
Ewan Mackinlay has been another positive addition to the North forward line since making his league debut in Round 5, averaging a goal and four inside 50s per game.
Liam Hoy and Matt McKenzie in ruck as well as Charlie Dinning in midfield are others to have impressed in the first half of the season.
On top of that, there is plenty of improvement left from some of North's key off-season recruits who are yet to fully fire.
Tariek Newchurch and Cody Raak have both had seasons interrupted by injury and form issues but have shown glimpses of what they can offer in full flight.
Luke Fellows and Sam Ramsey have also spent time in the reserves to rediscover their best form and dominated at the level below, proving their quality and ability to contribute to the league side.
Best & Fairest contenders:
Campbell Combe is well and truly in the mix to take out his fifth consecutive Barrie Robran Medal, currently ranked third in the competition for clearances and tackles and sixth for disposals.
Captain Alex Spina has been prolific in defence all season and a consistent performer even in the Roosters' losses.
Sam Mayes has been a solid contributor through the midfield with 21 disposals and five clearances per game.
Harrison Wigg and Frank Szekely have been standout performers and caught the eye with their damaging ball use when the Roosters are on song.
Blayne O'Loughlin has been an important addition in defence with his polished ball use and smart decision-making, while Dyson Hilder moved seamlessly into defence before being required in the forward line.
Lachie Grubb was one of the players given an opportunity after the Eagles loss and has taken it with both hands, kicking 10 goals in eight games and providing much-needed pressure inside 50.
Kye Pfrengle and Reed van Huisstede have been solid defensive pillars all year and lock down on the opposition's dangerous key forwards.
Injury report:
There are still some big names on the North Adelaide injury list but we won't see many of them back in the short term.
Keenan Ramsey faces a test before returning from an ankle injury, while Sam Mayes remains in the concussion protocol.
Kym LeBois could be only a month away from a long-awaited return, but key players Cody Raak and Karl Finlay face a further two months on the sideline.
Jake Patmore has only played one game this season and could be back on the sidelines after an ankle injury last weekend.
Reed van Huisstede is out indefinitely with personal issues as is Lachie Wilsdon with a neck injury.
The run home:
Much like their season itself, North faces a mixed bag from a fixturing perspective for the rest of the season.
Five of their last eight games are at home, three of which are against teams currently in the bottom five.
North will travel down to Victor Harbor for a clash with South Adelaide in Round 13 and also face trips to Elizabeth and Norwood, which is a Friday night clash at The Parade.
Position: 1st
Wins: 8
Losses: 2
Percentage: 56.83%
Biggest win: 83 points v Port Adelaide, Round 11
Biggest loss: 39 points v Woodville-West Torrens, Round 8
Norwood have avenged last year's horror 0-8 start to the season to sit 8-2 in 2024 and put themselves in contention for a second flag in three years.
The Redlegs won their first seven matches to sit two games clear on top of the ladder, taking down fellow contenders Sturt, Glenelg and Central District in impressive displays.
Norwood's defence was seemingly impenetrable early on, conceding an average of only 48 points per game across the first seven rounds.
The highest score they conceded in this time was just 59 points to North Adelaide, having kept quality attacking outfits Sturt and Glenelg to 50 and 47 points respectively.
The back six at The Parade is largely unheralded, with no-frills key defenders Tom Donnelly and Tom Graham locking down on the opposition's most dangerous forwards, while Pierce Seymour reads the play expertly as an intercepting weapon.
Matt Ling has thrived since moving to half-back late last year and along with recruits Cooper Murley and Alastair Lord provides spark and creativity with ball in hand
With a game style built on extreme pressure at the contest that thrives on the small confines of Norwood Oval, even the best teams have struggled to move the ball with any fluency against the Redlegs.
Adding key recruits Billy Cootee and Mitch O'Neill over the off-season, Norwood's midfield has elevated to another level, now boasting some of the most dynamic ball-winners in the competition.
In a sign of the talent now gathered at The Parade, Cootee, O'Neill and Baynen Lowe were all selected in South Australia's midfield unit that decimated Western Australia last month.
They have been incredibly well-served by ever-reliable ruckman Harry Boyd, who continues to stamp his claim as the competition's best ruckman.
Jake Creswell and Jordan Boyle have been consistent performers on the wing with their run and ability to cover in defence and attack.
While Norwood's defensive strength has been proven for several years, their attacking prowess is an ongoing concern, ranking last for points scored in 2023.
A mammoth 11-goal third quarter against Central showed what they are capable of, but doubts still linger as they rank fifth in the competition for points scored.
Norwood have only managed two triple-figure scores across 10 rounds, which has hampered their ability to build percentage and put teams away earlier in contests.
Playing in such high-pressure games, Norwood's ball use going inside 50 often lets them down, with sloppy turnovers gifting the ball back to the opposition.
The Redlegs have also occasionally cost themselves with poor conversion in front of goal, going at just 47.6% accuracy across the first 10 games.
Key forwards Connor McLean and Jackson Callow have been important marking targets inside 50 and lead up to the wings as bail-out options when exiting defence.
While scoring remains an issue, one of the biggest positives so far this season has been the sudden emergence of first-year talls Izaak Twelftree and Finn Heard.
Both are ranked in the top 10 across the league for contested marks, possessing strength and aerial abilities that belie their age.
After such a strong start to the year, Norwood were well below par in their two losses heading into the bye.
It is no surprise that these losses coincided with the absence of O'Neill and Cootee, with the Redlegs' midfield soundly beaten in both games.
Woodville-West Torrens exposed their defence in a manner that has not been seen all year, kicking 99 points off the back of express ball movement that the Norwood back six simply could not handle.
Similarly, Sturt's midfield was dominant in the King's Birthday clash, allowing the Double Blues to lock the ball inside their forward 50 for extended periods and hold Norwood to a season-low of just 37 points.
Another area of concern for the Redlegs is their performances in last quarters, having only scored 14 last-quarter goals for the season, five of which came against Port Adelaide last week.
In the three weeks before the bye, Norwood were outscored 12.13 to 1.5 in the final quarters.
For a team that mastered a final-quarter comeback against North Adelaide to snatch the 2022 premiership, this is undoubtedly an issue the Norwood coaches will want to address.
Best & Fairest contenders:
Harry Boyd has already got one hand on the Michael Taylor Medal with an outstanding start to the season that has seen him confirm his status as the league's best ruckman.
O'Neill and Cootee will also feature heavily in the votes despite missing several games.
Baynen Lowe has been a revelation since moving into the midfield and looks right at home, playing a key role in Norwood's bright start to the year.
Matthew Ling has been a dynamo at half-back and integral to Norwood's ball movement, earning a state jumper for the first time against WA.
Finn Heard has cemented his spot in the team with his competitiveness and versatility, while Tom Donnelly often goes under the radar but consistently gets the job done against more highly fancied opponents.
Injury report:
While relatively healthy earlier in the year, Norwood's injury list is starting to stack up and features some important names.
Mitch O'Neill is still at least one more week away with an ankle complaint, while Henry Nelligan went down in the loss to Sturt and is unsure of a return date.
Matt Panos hasn't played since Round 4 and faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a knee injury, while Cory Stockdale's knee injury continues to linger.
Liam Robinson went down with an ankle injury in the reserves last week and faces a 4-6 week stint on the sidelines.
Position: 10th
Wins: 1
Losses: 9
Percentage: 36.99%
Biggest win: 20 points v West Adelaide, Round 10
Biggest loss: 84 points v North Adelaide, Round 6
With rumours swirling around Port Adelaide's future in the SANFL, the Magpies are on the verge of claiming their first wooden spoon for 124 years as they endure a historically bad season.
Winless in their first eight games until a 20-point win against an injury-depleted West Adelaide, Port are currently ranked last in points for and against, painting a bleak picture of a season that has gone off the rails.
If Port's miserly percentage of 37 holds until the end of the season, it will be the lowest percentage recorded by any team since West Adelaide in 2016.
They have kicked under 50 points in five of their 10 games and only twice scored over 80 points.
At the other end, they have conceded triple figures five times and leaked the highest score of any team this season - 150 points against Glenelg in Round 1.
Of the eight teams they have played, five of them count Port Adelaide as their biggest winning margin of the season so far.
Their three nearest rivals on the ladder - Adelaide, South Adelaide and North Adelaide - have beaten them by 41, 73 and 84 points respectively.
As can happen with the AFL reserves teams, injuries at the top level have had a devastating impact on the quality of talent the Magpies can field
In most games they have had less than 10 AFL-listed players to choose from, forcing them to rely heavily on inexperienced top-up players.
AFL-listed players Jackson Mead, Hugh Jackson, Josh Sinn, Jase Burgoyne, Ollie Lord, Trent McKenzie and Quinton Narkle have all played less than four SANFL games this year.
Rookie recruit Logan Evans and captain Nick Moore have both missed blocks of football, while Lachie Pascoe is yet to debut for the Magpies after crossing from Norwood.
This is on top of Riley Bonner and Trent Dumont, who both departed over the off-season after finishing in the top 10 in last year's best and fairest.
The absence of these players has presented opportunities for younger talent to shine at the senior level, with a host of players showing plenty of promise.
Dylan Williams, Kyle Marshall and Xavier Walsh have stood up superbly in a defence often under siege, working overtime to repel opposition attacks.
Aiden Turner and Cody Szust have relished added midfield duties and shown no fear in going up against more seasoned bodies.
Will Lorenz has burst onto the scene and is on the verge of AFL selection, while Logan Evans' early form earned him an AFL list spot through the Mid-Season Draft.
Tom Anastasopoulos and Lachlan Charleson continue to compete valiantly in a forward line that has largely been starved of opportunity, often working hard up the ground to get involved in the play.
Tom Scully has been an important presence in the forward line, offering a crucial marking target and also showing he can play first ruck if needed.
Best & Fairest contenders:
In a lean year at Alberton, the best and fairest race is wide open, with several players in contention.
While captain Nick Moore has missed four games with injury, he was Port's best player before going down in Round 5 and will be hard to beat if he can stay fit.
His tenacity and toughness at the contest have proved invaluable for Port Adelaide, averaging seven clearances and 10 tackles per game before the injury.
Tom Clurey remains a rock in defence for Port Adelaide, often taking the opposition's most dangerous key forward and providing crucial leadership in defence.
Ruckman Dante Visentini sits eight in the competition for hit-outs despite missing three games with AFL duties and also gets involved at ground level, averaging five tackles per game.
Francis Evans has been a consistent contributor for the Magpies, averaging 17 disposals and one goal per game as he spends more time around the ball.
Logan Evans missed three games with injury but could not have been more impressive at half-back, showing composure and poise beyond his years in averaging three rebound 50s and 15 disposals.
Injury report:
Mercifully, Port's injury list is about as short as it has been for some time, gaining several key inclusions in the past few weeks.
Nick Moore and Lachie Charleson sustained injuries in the loss to Norwood, with timelines on their returns not yet known, while Kyle Marshall will miss the next two weeks in the AFL's concussion protocols.
Aiden Turner also remains in the concussion protocols and faces another two weeks on the sidelines, as do Lachie Pascoe and Josh Sinn
Josh Byrne's season is over as he recovers from a long-term knee injury.
The run home:
Sitting at the foot of the ladder, every week seems tough for Port Adelaide and there are plenty of challenges remaining on the run home.
The Magpies face trips to Unley and Elizabeth and also play Glenelg and North Adelaide at Prospect - two teams they have already suffered heavy defeats against this season.
In a small positive, Port will host South Adelaide at Alberton in what could be a winnable game.
They also host Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in Round 18, and depending on what shape the Crows are in at that stage, this could also be winnable.
Position: 8th
Wins: 2
Losses: 8
Percentage: 42.6%
Biggest win: 73 points v Port Adelaide, Round 7
Biggest loss: 67 points v West Adelaide, Round 4
Two wins in the last month have breathed some life into a season that was quickly spiralling out of control at Noarlunga.
Going into the season as the youngest and least experienced team in the competition, South Adelaide were always going to be long odds of fighting deep into the season.
But at 0-6 and sitting ninth on the ladder, it was hard to remain positive about the Panthers' direction for the remainder of the year.
South eventually broke the drought with a thumping 73-point win over Port Adelaide at Noarlunga that provided a huge shot of confidence.
Two weeks later they fought off a gallant Adelaide to climb to eighth and raise their chances of avoiding the spoon.
More importantly, those two wins highlighted the breadth of young talent that will drive South Adelaide forward in the coming years.
Ten of the 22 players who lined up in the win against Adelaide had 15 or fewer games of league experience under their belt.
Three South Adelaide players have been nominated as the ‘breakthrough player of the round' so far this season - the most of any team.
At the head of this list is key forward Noah Howes, who has burst onto the scene at league level and was widely expected to be picked up in the recent AFL Mid-Season Draft.
Still aged only 18, his contested marking and aerial work against far more mature bodies have been terrific, ranking sixth in the SANFL for contested marks this season.
Ollie Megins has broken into the senior team this year following Keegan Brooksby's retirement and has fitted in seamlessly, ranking sixth in the league for hitouts and averaging nearly four clearances per game.
Jacob Collins is another to have been given a chance at senior level and looked comfortable in the midfield, averaging 17 disposals and five tackles.
Nic Schroder graduated into the senior team straight out of last year's victorious U18s side, playing all 10 games and locking down some well-credentialed opponents including Adelaide's Lachie Gollant.
Cooper Rogers, Max Clifton, Charlie Duncan, Angus Bradley and Tom Wheaton are other players either in their first or second years and showing great promise.
These young players have been supported by an experienced group of senior core players who continue to show the way.
Jake Summerton and Sam Skinner have been crucial pillars in defence, providing the strength and experience to tackle the opposition's most dangerous attacking threats.
Hayden Sampson, Ollie Davis and Kobe Mutch have led the midfield brigade with their intent to get after the Sherrin and get the ball moving their way.
Eamon Wilkinson, Liam Fitt and Damon Freitag have offered critical goal-scoring options, combining for 48 goals in a forward line often starved of opportunities.
In a team already short on experience, injuries have not been kind to South Adelaide this year, decimating their list and leaving them desperately short of seasoned players.
Liam Nye, Oscar Clavarino, Kobe Mutch and Ben Shillabeer have all spent time on the sidelines, while key recruits Callum McCarty, Arlo Draper and Jake Arundell have been hampered with injuries.
Best & Fairest contenders:
For sheer consistency of output and importance to his team, Ollie Davis will be high among the votes come season's end, averaging 26 disposals and seven tackles across the year.
Despite missing the first month of the season, Kobe Mutch will also figure highly, enjoying a purple patch of form that has him averaging 27 disposals, four clearances and seven tackles per game.
Closing in on 100 league games, Hayden Sampson is a dependable commodity the Panthers can rely on to leave nothing in the tank.
Averaging 25 touches for the year, Sampson has tallied more than 20 disposals in eight of 10 games, with a low of 17 possessions setting a high bar for the talented mid.
Jake Summerton and Sam Skinner have been ever-reliable, providing experience and cool heads in defence that often save the Panthers' blushes.
For a team that sits in eighth spot, Liam Fitt is in the SANFL's top 10 leading goalkickers, serving as a testament to his effort and ability to seize every opportunity inside 50.
Injury report:
Unfortunately for the Panthers, their injury list doesn't seem to be getting any shorter, although there could be some big names back in the next few weeks.
Callum McCarty, Arlo Draper, Isaac Birt, Scott Bedford, Eamon Wilkinson, Elliot Dunkin and Sam Skinner could all be back as soon as this week.
Angus Bradley and Jake Arundell are still at least five weeks away, while a timeline for Ben Shillabeer's return is uncertain.
Tom Beaumont, Max Clifton, Dylan Brown and Ollie Megins have all been ruled out for the season with knee injuries.
The run home:
Only three of the Panthers' last eight games are at Noarlunga, with their home game against North Adelaide in Round 13 shifted to Victor Harbor as part of the SA Country Football Championships.
South face road trips to top-five teams Norwood and Sturt in a huge test for this inexperienced squad.
On the positive side, South also host West Adelaide and have another game against Port Adelaide in Round 15, both of which are very much winnable.
Position: 3rd
Wins: 7
Losses: 3
Percentage: 58.85%
Biggest win: 65 points v South Adelaide, Round 2
Biggest loss: 27 points v Norwood, Round 1
After a slow start to the season that saw Sturt lose three of their first five games, the Double Blues are now rolling and in as good a position as any to take out the flag.
Even during their early-season slump, Sturt played some of the best football of any team in the competition, with two of their losses by margins of just six and eight points.
The Blues will feel unlucky to have not emerged with the points against North Adelaide in Round 3, registering 13 more inside 50s and four more scoring shots but wasting chances in front of goal to lose by six points.
Similarly against the Eagles they controlled large parts of the game and led by 19 points early in the last term, only to concede the last four goals and lose in a thriller.
They also chalked up a big win against South Adelaide at Noarlunga and humbled reigning premiers Glenelg at the Bay, keeping the attacking juggernaut to just 44 points.
Despite this, after five rounds Sturt were clinging onto fifth spot with just two wins to their name and serious ground to make up on the leading pack.
Since then Sturt have reeled off five consecutive wins and are a game off top spot with the best percentage in the competition.
This includes handing Central District their first defeat of the season at Elizabeth and strangling Norwood into submission in the King's Birthday clash.
Sturt's defence has been a feature throughout the season, currently ranked as the best defensive team in the competition.
In a league where the best defensive side has won the last five premierships, this will hold Sturt in good stead at the pointy end of the season.
Across nine matches they have conceded an average of just 51 points per game, keeping their opposition to under 50 points in six of 10 games so far this year.
Included in that group are current top-five teams Central District, Glenelg and Norwood, with the highest score conceded just 83 points against Woodville-West Torrens.
Led superbly by Will Coomblas and Luke Edmunds in the key defensive posts, the Blues' backline has the perfect mix of attacking weapons and lockdown specialists.
Casey Voss is ranked third in the competition for rebound 50s and starts many of Sturt's attacking plays with his slick ball use and daring run.
Meanwhile, players like Rory Illman, Guy Page, Zac Becker and Ned Walter consistently get the job done on their opponents and make life difficult for them.
The Blues have also been well-served by their midfield brigade, which is arguably the best in the competition right now.
So often this year they have simply overpowered teams with their toughness and desire to win first possession, putting opposition sides on the back foot.
Will Snelling has been a revelation since arriving from Essendon this year, ranking first in the competition for both disposals and tackles and fifth for clearances.
Along with Tom Lewis, James Battersby and Jared Dakin, the Sturt midfield quartet boasts quality and depth that few can handle.
Amos Doyle has improved out of sight this year to become one of the competition's premier ruckmen, earning selection in the state game against Western Australia and impressing with his ruck craft and skills at ground level.
Sturt have also been successful in implementing a short-kicking game style that is causing problems for opposition teams.
With a fleet of hard-running half-forwards and midfielders that make searching leads at the kicker, the Blues are happy to chip the ball down the ground and ensure they retain possession and create quality shots on goal.
This was most evident in the win over Glenelg, in which Sturt took 119 marks and kept the ball in their control for large chunks of the game.
The Blues have topped 100 marks in five of their 10 games this year, all of which resulted in wins.
Interestingly, Sturt's two lowest mark tallies for the season have both been against Norwood, with the Redlegs holding them to just 48 marks in their only significant defeat for the season.
While still an area of some concern, Sturt's attack has received a major boost this year with the addition of Sam Conforti from Essendon's VFL team.
He has brought some much-needed spark and polish to a workmanlike forward line, kicking 13 goals from 10 games.
Josh Hone is still an integral part of the forward set-up but has been wayward in front of goal, kicking 12.17 for the year.
Daniel Fahey-Sparks and Lachie Burrows have been consistent targets ahead of the ball and provide important ruck relief when needed.
Best & Fairest contenders:
Will Snelling is a red-hot favourite for the Magarey Medal and could well have polled votes in every game so far this season.
As the competition's no.1 ranked player in disposals and tackles, his impact at Sturt has been enormous and he is hard to go past for best and fairest honours this year.
Captain James Battersby will certainly feature highly in the votes with his consistency and tireless effort at the stoppages, as will Tom Lewis if his body stays healthy.
Sam Conforti has impressed with his nous around goals and ability to open up the play with his foot skills, while Josh Hone can light up a game in a matter of minutes with his energy and competitiveness.
Casey Voss always catches the eye down back with his run and carry and the likes of Luke Edmunds and Will Coomblas consistently lock away the opposition's best forwards.
Injury report:
Compared to some others, Sturt have been relatively lucky on the injury front, although it does feature some big names they will be hoping to regain soon.
Star ruckman Amos Doyle faces 10 weeks on the sideline with a finger injury, while Will Spain will spend three weeks in the concussion protocol.
Jared Dakin injured his ankle in the win over North Adelaide and is yet to be given a timeline for his return.
Ned Walter is still five weeks away with a broken collarbone sustained in the win over Port Adelaide.
The run home:
After playing their first four games away from home while Unley Oval was unavailable, six of Sturt's last eight games are at home.
The Blues only play three more matches against current top-five teams, two of which are at home against teams they have already beaten this year.
They also have two match-ups remaining against West Adelaide, who they have not lost against since 2015.
A road trip to Woodville looms as crucial, as do clashes against Glenelg and Central Districts that could shape the top five.
Position: 7th
Wins: 4
Losses: 6
Percentage: 47.4%
Biggest win: 67 points v South Adelaide, Round 4
Biggest loss: 64 points v Woodville-West Torrens, Round 1
West Adelaide have made huge strides again in 2024 as they look almost certain to avoid the wooden spoon for the first time since 2018.
The Bloods have already equalled their win tally from last year, holding a 4-6 record at the halfway mark with their best percentage since the premiership-winning season of 2015.
Losing eight games by under three goals last season, West have started converting some of these close losses into wins.
This was no better demonstrated than the Round 2 win over Port Adelaide, coming from three goals down in time on in the last quarter to clinch a thrilling victory.
West also saw off challenges from North Adelaide and Adelaide to record consecutive wins for the first time in six years.
This has come off the back of an improved defensive output, with the Bloods now able to limit their opponent's scoring much more effectively.
The Bloods are ranked sixth for points against so far this year, compared to eighth last season.
West Adelaide kept their opponent to 70 points or under in only seven games last season but have achieved this feat five times already in season 2024.
West have now built a team of reliable and consistent defenders that stand up in big moments and can defend large volumes of inside 50s.
Josh Ryan continues to emerge as one of the best full-backs in the competition and earned his first state jumper against Victoria, while Will Patton was in serious AFL Mid-Season Draft considerations following his hot start to the season.
Tom Morrish is ranked sixth in the competition for rebound 50s and is an important distributor by foot and Lucas Meline has developed into a dependable performer averaging five rebound 50s per game.
At the other end, West are starting to build a strong attack that can consistently kick winning scores, with dangerous options in the air and at ground level.
The Bloods only kicked 70 or more points in seven games last year and have achieved this in seven matches already this season.
They also broke through the triple-figure barrier for the first time in five years in their win over South Adelaide, kicking 13 goals in the second half alone.
Ned Stevens is developing into a strong key forward for the Bloods, kicking 11 goals from eight games and ranking fifth in the competition for contested marks.
Dylan McCormick has kicked a goal in every game he's played and is dangerous around the sticks, while Luke Redfern goes under the radar with his pressure and ability to lock down on opposition rebound defenders.
The midfield is where West Adelaide have made massive leaps in 2024, building an on-ball unit that is not just competitive but can hold sway around the stoppages.
Kobe Ryan, Brady Searle and Sam Frost are forming a powerful combination that can win first possession and do serious damage on the outside as well.
With the likes of Joel Stevens and Jesse Thackeray also able to hold their own in the midfield, West are starting to build some depth that will hold them in good stead.
Crucially, the West Adelaide mids can also push forward and hit the scoreboard, with Ryan, Isaac Johnson and Stevens combining for 24 goals across 10 games.
West's new-found midfield power was on full display against North Adelaide in Round 7, humbling the experienced Roosters midfield to win clearances by eight and inside 50s by 11.
A feature of West Adelaide's game this year has been their ability to pile on quick bursts of goals, which is helping them surge away from their opponents.
The Bloods kicked five goals on the trot against the Eagles in Round 1 and South in Round 4, booted the last three goals in six minutes to beat Port, scored six of the last seven majors against North and kicked four in succession to see off the Crows.
While things are certainly on the improve at Richmond Oval, there is still plenty of work to be done before finals can be considered.
The next step for West Adelaide is to start beating the teams that are above them, which they have yet to do in 2024.
They hold a 0-5 record against top-five teams this season, with all four of their wins coming against teams below them on the ladder.
Skill errors continue to cost them, inviting pressure and turnover opportunities that the best teams can pounce on.
West are still to put in a full four-quarter performance against a top side, conceding seven goals to none in the last quarter against the Eagles, three goals to none in the third term against Central and seven goals to one in the second quarter last week against Glenelg.
Best & Fairest contenders:
Kobe Ryan has continued his meteoric rise through the ranks to become one of the best midfielders in the league, making him a clear favourite for the Neil Kerley Medal.
Considered unlucky to miss out on selection at the AFL Mid-Season Draft, Ryan ranks fourth in the competition for disposals, sixth for clearances and second for tackles.
Brady Sealre has been terrific since crossing from Glenelg at the end of last year, adding valuable experience and a seasoned body to the midfield mix.
After missing most of last year with injury, Sam Frost has played every game so far this year and has been superb in the midfield, ranking in the top 10 for tackles, clearances and disposals.
Missing four games with a hamstring injury will work against him, but Josh Ryan has been outstanding as a key defender, blanketing key forwards Mitch Harvey and Charlie Dixon among his many scalps this season.
Riley Corbett has shouldered much of the ruck load this year and stood up magnificently, competing well one-on-one and beating his opponent around the ground with his contested marking prowess.
Dylan White has cemented his place in defence with a wonderful season thus far, playing all 10 games and averaging 16 touches and four rebound 50s.
Tom Morrish always stands out with his excellent ball use from half-back, while Lucas Meline has taken his game to a new level.
Will Patton's ability in aerial contests and attacking flair with ball in hand has caught the eye, while Darcy Minchella makes life difficult for his opponent in the backline.
Injury report:
Injuries have cruelled West Adelaide for much of the season and it got a lot worse in the loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday.
Dylan Bramich and Joel Stevens will face tests before returning, Jordan White will spend the next three games in the concussion protocols, while Brady Searle and Lachie Squire are at least two weeks away from full fitness.
Patrick Wilson and Cade Kennedy are both done for the season with knee injuries.
The run home:
West Adelaide face a tough stretch coming up, with their next four games all against current top-five teams.
Only three of the Bloods' last eight games are at home as they travel to Unley, Elizabeth and Prospect.
On the positive side, three of West's last four games are against bottom five teams and they will get to play on Adelaide Oval against the Crows in Round 17 for the Neil Kerley Memorial Match.
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.
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, 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.