Sturt and Adelaide both pulled off remarkable comebacks to clinch thrilling victories, Glenelg piled on another massive score at the Bay, while Port's Mid-Deason Draft recruits shone on debut.
Read all about it in this week's SANFL Wrap.
Woodville-West Torrens 10.9.(69) def Central District 4.7.(31)
Woodville-West Torrens returned to the winners' list with an important 38-point victory over Central District at Woodville Oval on Saturday.
The Eagles controlled proceedings from the outset, holding the Bulldogs to their third consecutive goalless opening quarter and just four majors for the day in a superb defensive effort.
The hosts' pressure was outstanding all day, winning the tackle count 107-66 as they gave Central no time or space to move the ball away from the contest.
Making the win even more impressive was the fact that the Eagles had midfielders Riley Knight and Kade Herbert go down with injury in the first half and played with two fewer rotations for the entire second half.
With two of their prime midfielders absent, James Rowe spent nearly the entire day in the midfield and starred with 32 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal in a best afield performance.
Skipper Joe Sinor, who has found a home in defence this year, was switched into his former midfield role and had a huge influence with 20 touches and eight clearances.
Former Bomber Kobe Mutch (26 disposals, 13 tackles and eight clearances) put in another sublime game and worked hard all afternoon, while Jordan Lukac (48 hitouts and five clearances) had a huge day in the ruck.
Veteran Sam Rowland (21 disposals and a goal) was his dependable self and provided poise at key moments, while Max Beattie (26 disposals and 11 rebound 50s) was impactful with his attacking play off half-back.
Lukas Cooke (17 disposals) returned to defence and added crucial strength at the back, while Jordan Moore and Max Litster fought strongly to make life difficult for the Bulldogs' forwards.
Connor Ballenden (seven marks and two goals) made a welcome return up forward and worked up the ground to take some important contested marks, while Daniel Sladojevic continued his good form with three goals.
The Bulldogs can take heart from the performances of Kade Dittmar (20 touches and nine clearances) and Leyton Chisolm (18 possessions and nine tackles), who both toiled away valiantly in the midfield but were ultimately outgunned.
Luca Whitelum (23 disposals and five rebound 50s) worked hard around the ground, while Billy Iles (19 disposals and eight rebound 50s) played one of his best games for the season as he continually repelled the Dogs from the backline.
Rhett Montgomerie (16 disposals) had some important moments with his intercept work, while Jai Larkins (two goals) returned to the line-up and was the Dogs' only multiple goal kicker.
South Adelaide 7.8.(50) def by Adelaide Crows 7.9.(51)
A stunning second-half comeback saw Adelaide sneak home for a one-point victory against South Adelaide in a nail-biting finish at Noarlunga on Saturday.
With heavy rains and strong winds persisting throughout the afternoon, the game played out as a low-scoring arm wrestle as both sides struggled to move the ball with any ease in the boggy conditions.
South Adelaide were all over their more fancied rivals in the first half, kicking seven goals to one to take a 38-point lead into the main break.
After playing slow and methodical football in the first half, Adelaide opened up the game in the second and attacked with far greater potency, kicking six unanswered goals to snatch victory in the final minutes.
Having been well and truly beaten at the stoppages in the first half, Adelaide's midfield lifted in the second half and won more of the footy at the source, allowing them to get the game back on their terms.
Recently demoted midfield gun Sid Draper was key in the revival, overcoming a quiet first half to register 20 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances to put his case for an AFL recall.
Lachie Murphy (22 disposals and a goal) enjoyed another productive day in his new midfield role, while Luke Nankervis (19 touches) showed polish and skill that belied the conditions.
Lachie Sholl (25 disposals) was a consistent contributor on the wing and found plenty of the footy, while Lachie McAndrew (16 disposals, 11 tackles, eight clearances and 32 hitouts) worked tirelessly in the ruck and played a key role in the victory.
Chayce Jones, who has been stationed on the wing for most of this season, spent much of the day in the midfield and thrived in the clinches, earning 15 disposals and a game-high 14 tackles.
Charlie Edwards (24 disposals and 10 rebound 50s) put in another stellar performance at half-back and blended attack and defence nicely, while Hugh Bond (16 disposals) played one of his best games for the year in blanketing the dangerous Eamon Wilkinson.
Brayden Cook continued his role as a high half-forward and kicked two goals to be the Crows' only multiple goal scorer, while Chris Burgess fought hard on a tough day for talls and kicked one major.
Although the result didn't go their way, South Adelaide have plenty of positives to take away from the match as they continue to show signs of development.
The Panthers' midfield put in a fantastic performance to hold their own against several AFL-listed players, with Ollie Davis (24 disposals and eight clearances) leading the way with his toughness at the coalface.
Returning junior Luke Bogle (15 touches and six clearances) spent more time around the footy and won his fair share of the ball, while Charlie Duncan (24 disposals and five tackles) also played more midfield time and contributed plenty.
While beaten in the ruck duel by the taller McAndrew, Olivier Northam (19 disposals and eight tackles) followed up effectively and worked hard at ground level.
Angus Bradley (22 disposals) showed some sharp skills in tricky conditions, while Elliot Dunkin (27 touches and eight rebound 50s) offered plenty of drive and dash from half-back.
Oscar Clavarino (17 disposals and nine rebound 50s) was tireless in defence and broke up countless Adelaide attacks, while Jake Summerton competed strongly in the air and neutralised numerous aerial contests.
Young forward Bailey Pilmore (16 disposals, six marks and 2.3), stood up in the absence of Noah Howes and was a big threat up front, while Sam Skinner was moved to attack and also finished with two majors.
Port Adelaide 19.6.(120) def West Adelaide 9.3.(57)
Port Adelaide kicked clear of a plucky West Adelaide with a dominant last quarter to claim a comfortable 63-point victory at Alberton on Sunday afternoon.
West Adelaide, under interim coach Sam Elliot for the first time since Adam Hartlett stepped aside for personal leave, showed plenty of fight early and led by 10 points at the main break.
In fact, West had more goals on the board by quarter time than they did for the entire game against Norwood the previous week.
However, injuries to Sam Frost, Joel Parker and Hamish Ellem took their toll, with the Bloods failing to score in the final 50 minutes of the contest as they ran out of puff.
Port ran riot in the final quarter with nine unanswered goals as they put together some sparkling transition play and earned some crucial percentage.
The Magpies were undoubtedly boosted by the addition of several AFL-listed players, including all three recruits picked up in the recent mid-season draft.
Former Central District midfielder Mani Liddy (25 disposals and eight clearances) slotted in perfectly with his elite running and ball-winning ability.
Ruckman Jordon Sweet (17 disposals, 40 hitouts, eight clearances, nine tackles and two goals) put in another dominant all-round performance to push for an AFL recall.
Will Lorenz (29 disposals and six clearances) continued his new midfield role and was a consistent contributor, while Jack Watkins (27 disposals and two goals) worked hard around the ground and racked up plenty of the ball.
Glenelg mid-season draftee Harrison Ramm added crucial height in defence and competed strongly against Tom Scully, while Logan Evans (25 disposals) and Rome Burgooyne (22 touches and seven rebound 50s) were lethal in setting up numerous Magpie attacks.
Small forward Lachie Charleson (16 possessions and three goals) was a livewire up front and put in one of his best SANFL games, while Ollie Lord responded to his AFL axing with three majors as a key focal point inside 50 and Ivan Soldo chipped in with two.
Having more than held their own in the first half, West Adelaide can be buoyed by the efforts of several key players who put in terrific performances.
Brady Searle (27 disposals, 12 tackles and 11 clearances) played his best game since returning from injury and enjoyed a stellar first half as he controlled the midfield battle for the Bloods.
Young gun Kobe Ryan (28 disposals and six clearances) was productive in the engine room, while Lachie Squire (19 touches and six tackles) proved his value at the contest.
Tom Morrish (22 disposals and six rebound 50s) and Callum Park (17 possessions and five rebound 50s) were resolute with their rebounding work and distributed the ball nicely by foot.
Adam Bunworth again fought hard to curtail the influence of Port's small forwards, while Cooper Patterson held up well for the most part against Port's suite of tall forwards.
At the other end, Dylan McCormick (two goals) was West's most dangerous customer inside 50, while Ned Stevens made a welcome return and booted two of his own.
Glenelg 23.8.(146) def North Adelaide 9.11.(65)
Glenelg put on another frightening attacking masterclass in dismantling North Adelaide by 81 points at the Bay on Sunday afternoon.
The game was as good as done by quarter time, with the Bays running rampant to kick eight goals to one in the opening quarter and never looking back.
Glenelg's unwavering accuracy in front of goal was again a standout feature and at one stage had registered 16.2 midway through the third term.
The win was built off relentless pressure at the stoppage as they showed a clear intent to win the ball back on turnover and counterattack the other way.
They were able to move the ball with strings of short passes through the middle of the ground seemingly at will, giving their forwards quality opportunities in an open forward 50.
Former skipper and 200 gamer Max Proud was arguably his team's best in defence, racking up 23 disposals, 13 marks and a late goal that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Ex-Crow Patrick Parnell enjoyed another terrific performance, finishing with 23 disposals and seven marks as the chief architect of the Bays' rebound from defence.
Jonty Scharenberg (17 touches) was also steady in defence, while rookie fullback Cooper Beecken played a key role in shutting down Rooster Lachie Wilsdon.
Matthew Allen (22 possessions and seven inside 50s) continued his stellar run of form with another damaging display, while Luke Partington (26 disposals and two goals) celebrated his 100th league match in fine style.
Jarryd Lyons (24 disposals, five clearances and two goals) imposed himself on the contest with his class and skill, while brother Corey (21 disposals) competed strongly at the coalface.
Lachie Hosie was again lethal in front of the sticks to kick four goals, while skipper Liam McBean found plenty of the ball and also booted four majors.
Luke Reynolds had some sharp moments up front to bag three goals, while Darcy Bailey worked hard into attack and kicked three of his own, including a superb goal from the boundary.
It was a sobering reality check for North after an impressive win against the Eagles, but there were still several elements of their game that should be cause for optimism.
The Roosters' midfield enjoyed the better of proceedings throughout the day, winning clearances by 15 and creating plenty of opportunities from stoppage.
Angus Schumacher was again a standout performer for North, compiling 36 disposals, nine marks, nine clearances and seven inside 50s as North's key playmaker through the middle.
Hughen Wissman (26 disposals and 10 clearances) worked hard in the clinches and won some important contests, while Harrison Wigg (18 possessions and nine inside 50s) was instrumental in North's ball movement.
Oskar Faulkhead (16 touches and two goals) had some key moments on the wing, while Alex Spina (19 disposals and six rebound 50s) was constructive at half-back and Cody Raak (14 disposals) took some crucial saving marks in defence.
Mitch Harvey (two goals) proved a handful at times for the Bays' undersized defence, while Kym LeBois (two goals) made a positive return after almost three years on the sidelines and was North's most dangerous weapon up front.
Sturt 11.10.(76) def Norwood 10.12.(72)
Sturt produced a miraculous late comeback to pinch a thrilling four-point win over Norwood at Unley on Monday and maintain their unbeaten start to the year.
Trailing by 15 points with only three minutes of game time remaining, Sturt were staring down the barrel of their first defeat of the season, but three late goals saw them snatch the unlikeliest of victories right at the death.
Casey Voss proved the hero after charging down from defence to kick a soccer goal from 30 metres with only seconds remaining on the clock to spark utter pandemonium at Unley.
Will Snelling made a welcome return to the line-up and imposed himself on the contest in a big way, collecting a game-high 26 disposals, 17 tackles and eight clearances as his ability to outwork opponents shone through.
Tom Lewis (24 disposals and seven clearances) was again crucial in the clinches as he continually won first possession for his team with his trademark toughness on show.
Angus Anderson (19 touches, 10 tackles and a goal) continues to emerge as a quality midfielder, with his cleanliness in traffic a notable highlight.
Amos Doyle (17 disposals, 28 hitouts and five clearances) played a critical role in the ruck and set up numerous opportunities for his midfielders with his strength and tap work.
Will Coomblas (16 disposals and seven rebound 50s) continually halted Norwood's attacks with his body work and aerial competitiveness, while Charlie Fryer played an outstanding role in shutting Tristan Binder out of the game.
Zac Becker (13 disposals) competed strongly to largely blanket Izaak Twelftree, while Casey Voss (21 disposals and six rebound 50s) provided constant drive from defence as well as nailing the winning goal.
Tom Emmett (16 disposals and a goal) worked hard up the ground as a leading option and was a key link player for Sturt, while Josh Hone and Connor McFadyen kicked two goals apiece.
While the loss all but dashes Norwood's faint finials hopes, they can at least take solace in producing some quality football against the league pace-setters, with many of their key players putting in sterling performances.
After being smashed in the return match earlier this year, Norwood's midfield more than held their own this time, ending up even in clearances, inside 50s and disposals.
Billy Cootee (25 disposals, nine clearances and a goal) and Baynen Lowe (21 touches, 10 clearances and 10 goals) were prolific in the midfield, finding plenty of the footy at the source and also getting dangerous on the outside and setting up quality looks for their forwards.
Nik Rokahr (20 possessions and eight tackles) was prominent with his work in traffic, while Mitch Nicholas (19 disposals) played his best game for Norwood on the wing.
Cooper Murley (16 disposals and seven rebound 50s) continued his superb run of form at half-back, while Matthew Ling (19 touches) was involved in many of Norwood's attacking forays.
Pierce Seymour (19 disposals and 11 marks) proved difficult to pass with his intercept marking at the back, while Jack Heard (15 disposals) negated Oliver Grivell's impact.
Tom Donnelly competed strongly in the air against Connor McFadyen, while Alastair Lord completely blanketed Sam Conforti and Alec Wright largely closed down Josh Hone.
Jackson Callow was the Redlegs' main man in attack, kicking four goals and taking a series of impressive contested marks against Will Coomblas.
