Woodville-West Torrens claimed a huge scalp in ending Adelaide's unbeaten start to the year, Sturt chalked up another big win to move into top spot, and Lachie Hosie ran riot with a sensational bag of eight goals to beat Norwood.
Read all about it in this week's SANFL Wrap.
Central District 17.8.(110) def Port Adelaide 10.4.(64)
Central District produced another attacking onslaught to sweep aside Port Adelaide by 46 points at Elizabeth Oval on Anzac Day.
Coming off their highest score in nine years last week against North Adelaide, the Doggies piled on another 17 goals to signal their intentions in 2025.
The Dogs burst out of the blocks to kick 6.3 to 0.1 in the first term to have the game well under control by quarter time and never relinquished it.
The margin blew out to 65 points early in the final term before the Magpies kicked five of the last seven goals to put some respectability on the scoreboard.
Central again benefited from their improved midfield depth, with emerging star Mani Liddy (26 disposals and seven clearances) continuing his terrific start to the year with his tireless work around the ball.
Harry Grant (20 touches and five clearances), Kade Dittmar (14 disposals, six clearances and a goal) and Kai Pudney (18 possessions and two goals) were all productive throughout the afternoon.
The Dogs' lethal forward line mix was again on full display, with a wide spread of contributors up front who proved a handful for the Magpies' defence.
Beau Thomas was a constant threat in the air and finished with four goals, as did Nick Lange, while Aiden Grace and Jake Gasper finished with two majors each and were influential at ground level.
At the other end, Zach Adams (18 disposals and eight marks) and Rhett Montgomerie (16 touches and 10 marks) were impenetrable with their intercept marking and patrolled the backline with relative ease.
Billy Iles had less of the footy at half back than usual but played an important shutdown role on Benny Barrett, while Austin Kitschke and George Kendall were resolute in the key defensive posts.
A major shining light for Port Adelaide was the breakout performance of key forward draftee Jack Whitlock, who took some impressive contested marks to finish with three goals on a tough day for Port's forwards.
Jack Whitlock (Port Adelaide) with a Spectacular Mark vs. Central District, 04/25/2025
Watch LIVE on SANFL Now. pic.twitter.com/Itj79KVH8N
โ SANFL (@SANFL) April 25, 2025
Jack Watkins (31 disposals and four clearances) again worked hard to be Port's most prominent midfielder, while Hugh Jackson (19 touches and five clearances) and Will Lorenz (23 possessions and a goal) were also busy.
Dante Vistentini (20 hit-outs and 12 disposals) and Ivan Soldo (18 hit-outs) provided a serviceable combination in the ruck against rising star Kobe Annand.
Ryan Burton (18 disposals) made a successful return from injury and worked diligently to keep Kyle Presbury quiet, while Brandon Zerk-Thatcher also got through unscathed and had some big moments against Jack Tomkinson.
Glenelg 18.11.(119) def Norwood 11.10.(76)
An eight-goal rampage in the final quarter helped Glenelg to a 43-point victory over Norwood in the Anzac Day grand final rematch at the Bay on Friday afternoon.
Going into the clash without a win for the season, Norwood more than held their own against the reigning premiers, holding a slender lead just before the final term in a much-improved display.
However, the home team put on the afterburners in a frightening last quarter effort that saw them put the game beyond doubt in the blink of an eye.
Without captain and Jack Oatey medallist Liam McBean, fellow sharpshooter and ex-Roo Lachie Hosie stepped up with eight goals to win the Bob Quinn Medal for best on ground.
Hosie had been well held by Norwood rookie Josh Gillow in the first half, but burst to life with seven goals after half time as the young Redleg started to tire.
Corey Lyons (24 disposals and three goals) was also right in the mix for best afield honours, while James Bell (24 touches and eight clearances) was a dynamic force through the midfield.
Returning AFL star Jarryd Lyons (20 disposals and nine clearances) was influential throughout, while Matthew Allen (21 disposals, 10 marks and a goal) was prominent with his aerial strength.
Ben Ridgway (15 tackles) was relentless with his pressure and made life difficult for the Norwood mids, while Jonty Scharenberg (19 disposals) and Brad McCarthy (20 touches and four rebound 50s) had an impact across half-back.
Oscar Adams and Max Proud were typically dependable in the key defensive posts, while Cam McGree (14 disposals and 25 hitouts) enjoyed a solid game in the ruck.
Despite the last quarter fade out, there was plenty to like from the Redlegs, with a greater spread of contributors than in previous weeks.
Nik Rokahr (31 disposals and six clearances) put in another terrific performance to continue his excellent start to the season, while Mitch O'Neill (24 disposals, eight clearances and two goals) played his best game of the year to date.
Captain Jacob Kennerley (29 disposals, six clearances and a goal) spent more time in the midfield and enjoyed one of his best games in recent memory.
With rookie ruckman Marco D'Annunzio dropped to the reserves, Finn Heard took most of the ruck work and more than held his own, finishing with 16 disposals, 31 hitouts, five tackles and five clearances in a lion-hearted effort for his club.
Cooper Murley (24 disposals and six rebound 50s) and Matthew Ling (24 touches and five marks) provided plenty of rebound from defence and were influential in Norwood's vastly improved ball movement.
Jack Heard (11 disposals) was outstanding in shutting down dangerous Tiger forward Luke Reynolds, while Josh Gillow was superb on Hosie in the first half before tiring later in the game.
South Adelaide 9.12.(66) def by North Adelaide 10.13.(73)
North Adelaide recovered from last week's horror loss to Central District with a hard-fought seven-point victory over South Adelaide at Noarlunga on Saturday.
Trailing at all three breaks against a plucky Panthers outfit, the Roosters showed plenty of grit and seized the big moments to finish full of running.
Following last week's debacle, the Roosters will be pleased with their greater spread of contributors against South, with several different names stepping up to have an impact.
Harrison Wigg played predominantly in the midfield and was arguably best on ground in the first half with 18 disposals, but was well-held after the break to finish with 23 touches and five clearances.
Oskar Faulkhead (23 disposals and two goals) played his best game in Rooster colours and nailed the winning goal deep in the last term with a terrific snap.
Faulkhead firing on all fronts! Big impact with 23 disposals and 2 goals = Round 4 X Golf Player of the Day ๐ pic.twitter.com/8GvX4IP63y
โ SANFL (@SANFL) April 29, 2025
Angus Schumacher (22 disposals and seven clearances) had some key moments despite receiving some heavy attention, while Frank Szekely (26 touches and a goal) and Zavier Maher (18 disposals and five tackles) were also prominent
Club stalwart Mitch Harvey celebrated his 200th league match in style, gathering 20 disposals, 24 hitouts, seven clearances and a goal in a fascinating ruck duel with Olivier Northam.
Noah Casalini got the better of his matchup with Will McCarthy, working up the ground as the highest forward to collect 23 disposals, nine marks and a goal.
Nigel Lockyer came in for his first league game of the season and produced his customary moments of brilliance in kicking two goals, while Cody Raak (17 touches and 12 marks) worked tirelessly for the visitors with his forward pressure and searching leads.
Captain Alex Spina (20 disposals and eight rebound 50s) was influential across half-back, while Jack McCann completely shut down Panthers forward Blake Rodriguez while collecting 15 touches of his own.
Dyson Hilder (16 disposals and seven marks) competed strongly in the aerial contests in defence, while Reed van Huisstede kept the dangerous Damon Freitag goalless.
Although ultimately coming up short, South can take plenty of solace in the way they performed for large stretches of the game and the emerging players who continue to improve.
The performance of ruckman Olivier Northam should be a major source of optimism, with the big man collecting 29 disposals, 16 hitouts and 10 clearances as his work around the ground stood out in particular.
Ollie Davis (31 disposals and five clearances) worked hard around the ground to find plenty of the Sherrin, while Phoenix Hargrave (17 touches) again showed moments of class well beyond his years.
Corey Grocock put in another sterling effort up forward to finish with four goals, while Noah Howes proved a huge aerial threat with his contested marking to kicking three majors.
Sam Skinner (16 disposals and eight rebound 50s) was a constant presence with his intercept work and largely kept Mitch Harvey subdued when he rested forward, while Jake Summerton also had some important moments in defence.
Woodville-West Torrens 14.6.(90) def Adelaide Crows 9.15.(69)
Woodville-West Torrens surged to an impressive 21-point victory over Adelaide at Woodville on Sunday to end the Crows' unbeaten streak to start the year.
The Eagles applied immense pressure from the outset that gave the Crows little time or space to move the ball with any fluency and forced them into uncharacteristic mistakes.
The home side were also far more clinical in front of goal, nailing almost every opportunity while the Crows squandered several golden chances.
With key playmakers standing up all over the field, the Eagles' superior depth of contributors proved telling in the final result.
Kobe Mutch (28 disposals and a goal) put in another consistent performance, while Zane Williams (19 disposals, five clearances and two goals) did plenty of damage both around the ball and in the forward line.
James Rowe (24 disposals and a goal) provided his customary class and polish, while Sam Rowland (21 disposals and nine marks) was influential on the wing.
Returning ex-Saint Jack Hayes (21 touches, nine marks and a goal) split his time between attack and ruck and had a significant impact with his aerial work and mobility around the ground.
Lukas Cooke (19 disposals and nine marks) continues to flourish in his new defensive role, while Jordan Moore was important in limiting Chris Burgess' impact.
Max Litster and Cameron Fleeton both worked tirelessly to negate Adelaide's small forwards, while Joe Sinor (22 disposals) and Max Beattie (24 touches and seven marks) provided plenty of drive from half-back.
Jett Hasting (three goals) showed his craft around the big sticks, while Connor Ballenden and Daniel Sladojevic (both two goals) fought against tough opposition to hit the scoreboard.
Perhaps the biggest positive on the day for Adelaide was the form of Sid Draper (29 disposals and eight clearances), who was the Crows' best midfielder in the first half before playing reduced minutes after half time.
Sam Berry (26 disposals and two goals) and Harry Schoenberg (23 touches and six clearances) were prominent at the stoppages, while Lachlan McAndrew (37 hitouts and eight clearances) gave his midfielders excellent service with his tap work.
Lachie Murphy (25 disposals) worked hard and found plenty of the ball, while Luke Pedlar (18 disposals and two goals) spent much of the day in attack and battled strongly.
After his cameo in the forward line last week, captain Jack Madgen swung back to defence and was superb in largely shutting down Connor Ballenden despite giving away a significant height advantage.
Brodie Smith (17 disposals and six marks) and Charlie Edwards (16 disposals) weren't able to have their usual impact but had some important moments in defence.
Sturt 17.15.(117) def West Adelaide 5.11.(41)
Sturt extended their early lead atop the SANFL ladder with a crushing 76-point victory over West Adelaide at Unley on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues are now the league's only undefeated team with a 4-0 record to start the year following another clinical performance against the struggling Bloods.
West were gallant early and trailed by only 20 points at the main break before the hosts put the foot down with 10 goals to one in the second half to win with ease.
Sturt's midfield was again dominant and held sway across the afternoon, with their relentless pressure and superior strength leading to a 44-30 advantage in clearances and 19 more inside 50s.
With West deploying a heavy tag on Will Snelling, Tom Lewis (24 disposals, 10 tackles and seven clearances) led the way, while Jared Dakin (20 disposals and three goals) and Mitch Crowden (18 touches) were also productive.
Amos Doyle (14 disposals, 32 hit-outs and eight clearances) easily won the ruck battle against Caleb May and was hugely influential for his team.
Sturt's defence was also in terrific shape, setting up superbly behind the ball to make life extremely difficult for the West Adelaide attack.
Casey Voss (22 disposals and seven rebound 50s) and Henry Carey (23 disposals and five rebound 50s) were prominent at halfback and launched countless attacks.
Will Coomblas (14 disposals and five marks) fought hard to keep big man Tom Scully subdued, while Zac Becker and Luke Edmunds were almost impassable with their intercept work.
James Mathews was the main livewire up forward with three goals from 13 disposals, although he could have easily managed a bigger haul if not for inaccuracy.
Josh Hone, Tom Emmett, and Connor McFadyen all contributed two goals despite receiving plenty of attention, while Sam Conforti booted three goals while playing on the wing.
For West Adelaide, it was once again Kobe Ryan (23 disposals and eight clearances) and Sam Frost (23 touches and six tackles) who were most prominent on a difficult day for the visitors.
Dylan White (21 disposals) worked hard across the ground, while Callum Park (21 disposals and seven rebound 50s) and Jonti Schuback (17 touches and seven rebound 50s) were steady in a defence often under siege.
Other positives were the glimpses shown by West's younger brigade, with Sam Burbridge having some nice moments before kicking his first league goal, while Riley Hill continues to impress in the forward line.
Adam Bunworth competed strongly to dampen the influence of Josh Hone, while Liam Delahunty battled valiantly at full-back against ex-Lion Connor McFadyen, as did Cooper Patterson on Oliver Grivell.
