It was another entertaining week in the SANFL, with the Double Blues continuing their hot start, while the Crows claimed the Showdown crown.
Here's an in-depth update from Round 6 of the SANFL season.
West Adelaide 9.7.(61) def by Central District 18.9.(117)
Central District continued their hot run of form with a comfortable 56-point victory over West Adelaide at Richmond Oval on Saturday afternoon.
While the Bloods showed plenty of fight early, seven consecutive goals across the quarter-time break helped break the game open for the Bulldogs as they took complete control of the contest.
Central were able to play much of the game in their half, winning the inside 50 count by 21 on the day as West struggled to move the ball out of their backline.
The Bloods were left to rue costly turnovers with the ball in defence, with several missed kicks resulting in shots on goal for the visitors.
The Bulldogs' midfield held the ascendancy all afternoon, with Mani Liddy (22 disposals, seven clearances and seven inside 50s) and Kade Dittmar (21 touches, six clearances and 10 tackles) finding plenty of space to cause havoc with ball in hand.
After being well-held last week, Harry Grant was back to his best in collecting 25 disposals, five clearances and eight tackles as he worked tirelessly at the contest.
Recruit Kobe Annand put in another stellar performance in the ruck, amassing 15 disposals, 40 hitouts and a game-high eight clearances.
Kai Pudney (24 disposals) was prolific on the wing and was a key cog in Central's ball movement, while Wilson Barry (18 possessions) was a handy contributor on the other wing.
The Bulldogs' bevy of goal-scoring options again came to the fore, with no less than five players bagging multiple goals for the day.
Big man Beau Thomas played a starring role with five majors, while Jake Gasper, Aiden Grace, Nick Lange and Anzac Lochowiak all chipped in with two apiece.
At the other end, Zach Adams (13 touches and six rebound 50s) was a key component with his intercept work, while Rhett Montgomerie largely negated West's danger man Harvey Griffiths.
Austin Kitschke battled strongly to keep the Bloods' resting ruckmen quiet, while Luca Whitelum played a close-checking role on Kobe Ryan for most of the second half and made life difficult for the young gun.
With injuries continuing to mount at West Adelaide, much of the midfield burden was left to Ryan, who battled valiantly to collect 24 disposals and seven clearances as the host's primary weapon in the middle.
Brady Searle (17 disposals and five clearances) made a successful return from a back injury as he played limited midfield minutes but spent more time in there in the second half.
Ex-Power forward Tom Scully was a shining light, kicking three goals to go with a series of impressive contested marks that challenged the Central defence on multiple occasions.
Tom Morrish (20 touches and 11 rebound 50s) worked overtime to repel the ball from defence, while Cooper Patterson played a terrific game in shutting down Jack Tomkinson.
Port Adelaide 5.13.(43) def by Adelaide Crows 13.10.(88)
Adelaide made it five consecutive SANFL showdown wins in a row with a 45-point victory over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Played as a curtain-raiser to the corresponding AFL clash later that night, the SANFL edition followed a similar script, with the Crows' polish and efficiency proving the major difference.
The two rivals were relatively even in clearances and inside 50s, but Adelaide made more of their opportunities with superior accuracy in front of goal.
Port had the game on their terms for most of the second and third quarters, but only managed a return of 3.8 to 4.4 as they wasted multiple opportunities.
Adelaide had a host of players put in quality performances to put their hand up for AFL selection, with Lachie Sholl (29 disposals and 11 marks) and Billy Dowling (28 touches and a goal) finding plenty of footy on the wings and showing their class with ball in hand.
Veteran Brodie Smith (29 disposals and five rebound 50s) didn't skip a beat upon return to the SANFL set-up, with his precise ball use helping launch countless Adelaide attacks.
Sid Draper (24 disposals and five clearances) was influential around the stoppages, as was Harry Schoenberg (21 possessions and five tackles) with his breakaway speed from the packs.
SANFL-listed recruit Blake Drury (22 touches and two goals) proved a handful both in the midfield and up forward, while Lachie McAndrew overcame a fierce test from Jordon Sweet in the ruck to record 21 hitouts and three clearances.
Charlie Edwards (26 disposals and five rebound 50s) played his best game in defence and showed his ability to beat his opponent and start dangerous attacking chains by foot to stake his claim for an AFL debut.
Skipper Jack Madgen (23 touches) blanketed Port recruit Shay Linke, while James Borlase (22 possessions) completely shut down young spearhead Jack Whitlock.
Chris Burgess fought off close attention from Brandon Zerk-Thatcher to kick three goals and take two contested marks, while Luke Pedlar competed strongly against Jez McLennan to finish with two majors.
With Port Adelaide playing stronger football than the final scoreboard suggests, the Magpies also had no shortage of contributors from their AFL-listed players.
Club games record holder Travis Boak slotted seamlessly into the SANFL team after nearly 18 years between stints in the reserves, picking up a game-high 35 disposals and four clearances as his class and experience came to the fore.
North Melbourne VFL recruit Jack Watkins continued his blistering start to the year with 29 disposals and eight clearances, continuing his push as a potential Mid-Season Draft option after an SSP stint with the Power in the pre-season, while Hugh Jackson (21 disposals and a goal) continues to push for an AFL opportunity.
Rory Atkins (30 disposals and eight marks) again spent most of the day on the wing and racked up plenty of the footy, as did Will Lorenz (18 possessions and two goals).
Dylan Williams (21 disposals and 10 rebound 50s) and Logan Evans (24 touches and five rebound 50s) were busy across half-back, while Jez McLennan (20 disposals and 11 marks) played a crucial role in halting numerous Crows attacks.
Young defender Xavier Walsh (14 disposals and six marks) had some impressive moments in negating Adelaide forward Tyler Welsh, keeping him to just five touches and no goals.
South Adelaide 7.9.(51) def by Norwood 12.9.(81)
Norwood chalked up their first win of the season with a spirited 30-point victory over South Adelaide at Noarlunga on Sunday afternoon.
The win lifts the Redlegs off the bottom of the ladder and hands new coach Jade Sheedy his first win in charge at The Parade after a shaky start to the year.
The visitors always looked a class above as they led from go to whoa, but were unable to fully put the gallant Panthers away until two quick goals midway through the final term put the result beyond doubt.
With the inside 50 and clearance numbers finishing almost even, it was Norwood's extra potency in attack and ability to move the ball that gave them the critical edge.
In stark contrast to the hosts, Norwood enjoyed a more even spread of contributors on the day, with the weight of numbers, especially through the midfield, proving decisive.
Nik Rokahr (24 disposals and five clearances) and Billy Cootee (21 touches and five clearances) were important distributors for Norwood, while Mitch O'Neill (18 disposals and seven clearances) won some crucial contests for his side.
Makeshift ruckman Finn Heard (22 hit-outs and seven tackles) battled valiantly again, and while he was overpowered by Olivier Northam, he was valuable with his follow-up at ground level.
Jackson Callow (17 disposals, eight marks and three goals) was a huge presence in the forward line and could have had an even bigger impact if not for some wayward kicking for goal.
Jacob Newton lit up the Norwood attack with three goals in just his fourth game of league football, pairing his smarts and craft at ground level with some impressive overhead marking for a player of his size and age.
Cooper Murley (20 disposals and six marks) played a key role in defence and stifled several Panther attacks, while Matthew Ling (17 disposals) was prominent with his speed and dash out of the backline.
Pierce Seymour (15 disposals and six marks) patrolled the defence superbly and kept young Panther Cody Lowe largely under wraps, while Jack Heard (16 disposals and five marks) had some big moments playing against Noah Howes.
The Redlegs were boosted by the return of defensive duo Tom Donnelly and Alec Wright, who locked down on Corey Grocock and Liam Fitt respectively, and severely limited their impact.
For South Adelaide, too much of the burden was left to too few, with Ollie Davis (18 disposals, eight clearances and eight tackles) and the returning Callum McCarty (16 touches and five clearances) shouldering most of the load in the middle.
Ruck recruit Olivier Northam (15 disposals, 29 hitouts and seven clearances) had a huge influence at the stoppages, while Brad Jefferies (15 disposals and seven tackles) worked hard on the wing and won some important contests against Declan Hamilton.
Phoenix Hargrave (16 disposals and a goal) showed some flashes of brilliance, including a goal of the year contender with an incredible running snap from the south-western pocket in the last term.
Elliot Dunkin (25 disposals and seven rebound 50s) was a shining light with his run and carry out of defence, while Sam Skinner competed strongly against Callow in the first term before going down with injury.
Glenelg 9.12.(66) def Woodville-West Torrens 9.8.(62)
Glenelg saw off a determined Woodville-West Torrens fightback to hold on for a thrilling four-point victory at the Bay on Sunday afternoon.
After a goalless first quarter, the Tigers got to work with nine goals to three across the second and third terms to lead by 28 points at the final change.
The Eagles sparked into life with four unanswered goals to start the fourth quarter and cut the margin to just two points.
The game quickly descended into a scrap as both sides ramped up their pressure and intensity around the contest.
Glenelg absorbed everything the visitors could muster and kept them at bay for nearly 13 minutes to hold on despite not kicking a goal in the final quarter.
Star recruit Jarryd Lyons showed his class with a best afield display of 26 disposals and 10 clearances as he took complete control through the midfield.
His brother, Corey, was also strong at the stoppages in collecting 22 touches and seven clearances, as were Matthew Allen (21 possessions and a goal) and James Bell (18 disposals and eight tackles).
Captain Liam McBean was a welcome return to the line-up after a fortnight out with an ankle injury, kicking three goals in the second term to set the Bay alight.
Max Proud (18 disposals and 10 marks) was sublime in defence and halted numerous Eagles attacks, while Patrick Parnell (17 touches and four marks) also worked hard across half-back.
Oscar Adams was again pivotal at full-back in negating big man Connor Ballenden, while Connor McLeod (14 disposals) and Brad McCarthy worked tirelessly to lock down on the Eagles' small forwards.
Having produced large patches of quality football against the competition pace-setters, the Eagles also had no shortage of contributors on the day.
Kobe Mutch (25 disposals and eight tackles) and Riley Knight (20 touches and four clearances) fought strongly in the midfield, while Zane Williams (19 possessions and six clearances) was dynamic with his speed and cleanliness at the stoppages.
Kade Herbert (17 disposals and five clearances) held his own in the clinches and won some important contests, while James Rowe (22 disposals) found enough of the ball but was restricted from his normal impact by the Glenelg defence.
Skipper Joe Sinor (26 disposals and six rebound 50s) and youngster Max Beattie (22 disposals) worked tirelessly to shut down their opponents and start plenty of attacking forays from half-back.
Ex-Giant Cameron Fleeton played a terrific game to keep danger man Lachie Hosie to just one goal, while Jordan Moore (14 disposals and six marks) was excellent in curbing the influence of Liam McBean for most of the match.
Lukas Cooke played an important role in blanketing Luke Reynolds and restricting him to one goal and eight disposals, while Max Litster (17 disposals) also had some big moments in defence.
Premiership hero Nick Hayes suited up for his first game since returning to the club from Victoria and hardly skipped a beat in booting three goals, while brother Jack Hayes (13 disposals, five marks and a goal) loomed large with his aerial ability in the forward line.
North Adelaide 11.8.(74) def by Sturt 14.13.(97)
Sturt extended their unbeaten run to six games to start the 2025 season with a clinical 23-point victory over North Adelaide at Prospect on Sunday afternoon.
The ladder-leading Blues had the game under their control for much of the day, leading inside 50s by 26 and clearances by 10, but the Roosters' efficiency in front of goal kept them in the contest until midway through the final term.
North were desperate to respond to their shock loss against West Adelaide the previous week and started strongly with the first two goals, but were quickly reeled in and never saw the lead again.
Sturt's superior power through the midfield proved telling all afternoon, with Tom Lewis (32 disposals and 10 clearances) and Will Snelling (30 possessions and six clearances) winning plenty of the ball for their team at the source.
Jared Dakin (27 disposals and a goal) and Mitch Crowden (23 touches and five inside 50s) worked hard around the ground, while Nick Sadler and Sam Conforti had some important moments on the wing.
In just his second game of league football, ruckman Hugo Kittel more than held his own in an outstanding performance that netted 13 disposals, 24 hitouts and seven clearances.
Casey Voss (26 disposals, nine marks and eight rebound 50s) played an outstanding game across half-back with his intercept work and ability to get the ball moving out of the backline.
With injuries mounting in the Sturt defence, Zac Becker stood up and largely blanketed the dangerous Nigel Lockyer, while Connor McFadyen was swung into defence and did a reasonable job on the returning Lachie Wilsdon.
Alex Holt (17 disposals) impressed in his league debut in defence, while Willa Taylor continues to develop nicely as he restricted fellow debutante Evan Bradley.
Sturt's newfound firepower in attack again came to the fore, with eight players hitting the scoreboard and four booting multiple goals.
Josh Hone played his most impactful game of the season so far to finish with four goals, while Lachie Burrows, Daniel Fahey-Sparks and Angus Anderson all contributed two majors apiece.
With the ball spending plenty of time in North Adelaide's backline, it was the Roosters defenders who shouldered much of the load and did well to keep North in the game.
After spending plenty of time in attack so far this year, Cody Raak was moved to defence and was arguably the Roosters' best, amassing 26 disposals, seven marks and nine rebound 50s as he continually saved the day for his team.
Blayne O'Loughlin (20 disposals) couldn't have done any more as he clamped down effectively on James Mathews, while Sam Ramsay (21 disposals) spent most of his afternoon stationed in defence and held up well.
Angus Schumacher (20 possessions and five clearances) was a class above in the North Adelaide midfield, while Zavier Maher (19 touches) and Ewan Mackinlay (17 disposals) had some good moments.
Harrison Wigg (20 disposals) and Oskar Faulkhead (19 disposals) worked hard on the wings and played big roles in North's ball movement.
Dyson Hilder (three goals) provided a major threat both in the air and at ground level, while Frank Szekely (22 disposals, 12 marks and two goals) pushed up the ground and was instrumental in North's attacking forays.
