With the eight standalone clubs having a bye this weekend, Adelaide and Port Adelaide took centre stage in the SANFL Showdown, with several players from both sides pushing for AFL selection.
Read all about it in this week's SANFL Wrap.
Adelaide Crows 12.22.(94) def Port Adelaide 12.7.(79)
Adelaide strengthened their top-three hopes with a gritty 15-point victory over Port Adelaide at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Played as a curtain-raiser to the AFL Showdown later in the evening, the game was played in pouring rain for most of the afternoon, with clean passages of play hard to come by for both sides.
The Crows' severe inaccuracy in front of goal prevented them from closing out the contest until late in the final term despite looking the better team for most of the day.
With the heavy conditions wreaking havoc on the game, Adelaide's superior class and cleanliness with the footy proved telling, with several AFL-listed players showing their quality with sparkling performances.
At the head of that list was Matt Crouch, who gathered a game-high 36 disposals, five tackles and four clearances and was a key component in Adelaide's midfield brigade.
Harry Schoenberg (28 disposals and nine inside 50s) also worked hard around the ground to have an influence, while Sid Draper (20 touches and 11 tackles) was tough at the contest.
SANFL-listed midfielder Jay Boyle (27 disposals and seven clearances) was clinical at the stoppages, while Lachie McAndrew (11 possessions and 38 hit-outs) relished playing against makeshift ruckman Jack Whitlock and controlled the ruck duel.
Luke Nankervis (26 disposals and a goal) played mostly on the wing and ran hard to find the footy, while Billy Dowling (23 touches) stood out with his polish and poise in tough conditions.
Lachie Sholl (23 possessions) was a solid contributor on the wing and was a key cog in Adelaide's ball movement, while Lachie Murphy (24 disposals, eight inside 50s and a goal) rotated between midfield and half forward to have an impact.
Charlie Edwards (20 disposals, eight marks and seven rebound 50s) put in another superb display at half-back and provided plenty of drive for the Crows, while Hugh Bond played an important lockdown role on Willie Rioli.
Blake Drury (23 disposals) was shifted into defence and used his speed to win some crucial one-on-one contests and start attacking chains for the Crows, while Jack Madgen (17 disposals) was superb in shutting down Jeremy Finlayson.
James Borlase (14 disposals) competed strongly in the aerial contests despite being worked over by Dylan Williams at ground level, while SANFL-listed defenders Harry Boyle and Hugh Haysman both impressed with their defensive efforts.
On a tough day for the Crows' fleet of tall forwards, Chris Burgess battled strongly to contribute three goals, including two in the first term to help keep Adelaide in the game, while Kieran Strachan kicked two crucial goals in the second half.
For Port Adelaide, it was once again a case of too few having to do too much, with several AFL-listed players putting in standout performances that will give AFL selectors something to think about.
Despite losing the hit-outs convincingly, Port won the clearances 40-29, largely on the back of Will Lorenz (35 disposals and 11 inside 50s) and Mani Liddy (27 disposals and eight clearances), who both worked overtime in the engine room.
SANFL-listed star Jack Watkins (25 disposals and five inside 50s) was everywhere for Port and found plenty of the footy, while Christian Moraes (23 touches) was valuable on the wing.
With Ivan Soldo a late withdrawal, Jack Whitlock toiled valiantly as the makeshift ruckman, collecting 16 disposals and five clearances as he featured prominently with his follow-up at ground level and work rate around the ground.
Rory Atkins (17 disposals and eight rebound 50s) enjoyed a stellar first half in defence before being put on ice in the second half, while Josh Lai (15 disposals) had some important moments across half-back.
Mid-season draftee Harrison Ramm again impressed down back with his one-on-one contest work, while Shay Linke (20 disposals) was resolute under extreme pressure.
Rome Burgoyne (22 disposals and 11 rebound 50s) continually repelled the Magpies from defence with his composed ball use, while Jez McLennan (16 disposals and six rebound 50s) fought strongly as an undersized key defender.
Dylan Williams was again the main threat in attack for Port Adelaide, kicking six goals as his agility at ground level and nous inside 50 caused huge issues for the Crows' defence.
Willie Rioli (11 touches and a goal) showed flashes of brilliance with the footy in hand, while SANFL-listed small forward Bailey Chamberlain pitched in with two majors.
