Round 1 of the 2024 SANFL season kicked off over the Easter long weekend with a full five-game slate.
From a blowout at Woodville to a nailbiter in Noarlunga Downs, here is your full wrap of the season's opening stanza.
Norwood 11.11 (77) def Sturt 7.8 (50)
Norwood erased any memory of their horror start to last season with a 27-point win over Sturt at The Parade on Thursday night.
With a bumper crowd of over 4,000 fans in attendance, the Redlegs kicked away with a four-goal-to-one third quarter that set up the victory.
Norwood's new-look midfield held its own against the experienced Sturt engine room, with recruits Billy Cootee and Mitch O'Neill both impressing on debut.
Cootee racked up 23 disposals, 10 tackles, seven clearances and two goals while O'Neill chipped in with 22 disposals and five clearances.
Norwood ruckman Harry Boyd was in sublime form to start the new season, finishing with 32 hitouts, 21 disposals, 14 clearances, nine tackles and a goal in a best-afield performance.
For the visitors, star recruit Will Snelling shone on club debut, amassing 26 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances as he added spark and dash to the Double Blues' midfield.
Skipper James Battersby displayed his usual toughness around the contest, collecting 23 disposals and six clearances.
Sturt's loss was compounded by an injury to midfield star Tom Lewis, who went off in the second quarter with a suspected calf strain.
North Adelaide 9.12 (66) def by Central District 14.9 (93)
Central District scored an important win away from home to start their 2024 campaign against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval.
The Bulldogs could only manage a 2-6 away record last season, which is an area the Doggies will be keen to rectify if they are to secure a top-three finish in 2024.
In another positive for Centrals, who were the equal second-lowest scoring team of last season, they put on 93 points against the North Adelaide defence, which has already bested their biggest total from 2023.
Centrals kicked the first three goals of the game to take an early lead before the Roosters mounted a serious challenge in the third term, snatching the lead midway through the quarter.
However, the Bulldogs took control again in the last, kicking the final four goals to put the contest beyond doubt.
Wilson Barry put in a good first-up performance for the Bulldogs, picking up a team-high 24 disposals as he added some class and poise around the stoppages.
Nick Lange was dangerous up forward for the visitors, booting four goals while debutant Jake Gasper chipped in with three as a potent small forward.
The win was made all the more impressive by the limited impact of reigning Magarey Medalist Harry Grant, who was held to just 10 disposals.
Campbell Coombe was again prolific around the ball for the Roosters, winning 25 disposals to go with 11 tackles and seven clearances while Harrison Wigg owned his wing with 30 disposals and 13 marks.ย
Cody Raak provided plenty of speed and drive off half-back as did the returning Blayne O'Loughlin, who finished with 21 and 19 disposals respectively.
South Adelaide 14.9 (91) def by Adelaide Crows 13.18 (96)
Adelaide overcame poor goalkicking and a determined South Adelaide outfit to record a five-point win at Noarlunga on Good Friday.
Despite looking like the better team for much of the game, Adelaide wasted its chances in front of goal and trailed until the final three minutes, when Billy Dowling's long bomb sealed the win.
South led by as much as 33 points late in the second term, but the weight of inside 50s against (56-29) eventually told, with a stoic Panthers defence unable to hold back the tide.
Dowling was clearly the best on the ground, amassing 34 disposals, seven clearances and nine inside 50s to go with his game-winning goal.
Dan Curtin put his hand up for AFL selection with a solid game in defence, finishing with 18 disposals and 10 marks, while fellow draftee Charlie Edwards held his own in the middle with 18 disposals, six clearances and a goal.
Wangaratta recruit Toby Murray, the brother of Crows' AFL defender Nick, was a beacon up forward with four goals.
On the losing side, Jonti Schuback and Sam Skinner stood tall in defence, while Arlo Draper showed plenty of promise in the midfield, collecting six clearances from 19 disposals.
Recruit Jake Arundell was a positive addition for the Panthers with 18 disposals and two goals in an impressive first-up display.
Woodville-West Torrens 20.13 (133) def West Adelaide 10.9 (69)
Woodville-West Torrens overpowered a gallant West Adelaide to claim a big Round 1 win under new coach Sam Jacobs.
After getting away to a 34-point lead midway through the second term, the Eagles were put under huge pressure when the Bloods scored seven goals in just 10 minutes to reduce the margin to under a goal before halftime.
The Eagles composed themselves after the long break and slammed on seven goals in the final quarter to run away with a thumping win.
New Eagles recruit Luke McKay couldn't have been more impressive on debut, kicking five goals from 23 disposals, while returning Eagle Josh Morris added a steady hand in defence.
Emerging star Adam D'Aloia showed he has taken his game to the next level, finishing with 32 disposals and 13 clearances as he dominated around the stoppages.
Kobe Ryan was a shining light once again for the visitors, collecting 20 disposals, seven clearances and two goals.
Sam Frost and Glenelg recruit Brady Searle provided grunt at the contest, finishing with 18 and 15 disposals respectively.
Glenelg 23.12 (150) def Port Adelaide 13.6 (84)
Glenelg opened its premiership defence in great style with a 64-point win over old rival Port Adelaide in front of a bustling crowd at the Bay.
Proceedings started shakily for the Tigers, conceding the first two goals and trailing by a point at quarter time, before the defending champs kicked into gear, eventually piling on 23 goals in a scary reminder of their attacking prowess.
The Magpies, who conceded the most points of any team last year, again looked all at sea in defence, with a young backline unable to contain the likes of Lachie Hosie and Liam McBean.
The star pair combined for 10 goals as they picked up where they left off last year, while Archie Lovelock and Luke Reynolds also chipped in three and two goals respectively.
Returning premiership skipper Chris Curran fitted back in seamlessly, picking up 24 disposals and eight marks in defence.
Matthew Allen will be hard to beat for the three Magarey votes in this game, finishing with 25 disposals and three goals in a typically damaging performance.
New Magpies skipper Nick Moore shone in the famous no.1 guernsey, collecting 22 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal.ย
Ruckman Jordon Sweet staked his claim for AFL selection with 46 hitouts and six clearances, while Mitch Georgiades made a solid return from an ACL injury, booting three goals from 14 disposals.
