A handful of Crows stars continued their push for AFL selection, an exciting Bulldogs draft prospect starred on debut, while Sturt overcame a massive scare from South Adelaide to maintain their unbeaten run.
Read all about it in this week's SANFL Wrap.
Norwood 8.15 (63) def by Adelaide Crows 12.11 (83)
A blistering opening quarter propelled Adelaide to a gritty 20-point victory over Nowood on Saturday that all but secured a top-three spot.
The Crows came out firing with four goals in the opening nine minutes and seven majors by quarter time to take the early ascendancy in a powerful display of footy.
To their credit, Norwood kept chipping away at the deficit all day and trailed by only seven points midway through the last term, but were hindered by an inaccurate 8.15 in front of the sticks.
Adelaide's superior quality and polish with the footy were evident in the key moments, with several AFL-listed players pushing their case for senior selection.
Veteran midfielder Matt Crouch was again at the head of that list with another sparkling performance, racking up 33 disposals, eight tackles, five clearances and a goal as his ability to win the footy proved telling.
First-year midfielder Sid Draper (20 disposals, five clearances and a goal) played one of his best games at SANFL level this year and featured prominently with his burst from stoppage.
Harry Schoenberg (22 disposals and two goals) was a damaging presence through the midfield, while Lachie Murphy (19 disposals and five clearances) and Luke Pedlar (14 touches and six inside 50s) both had an impact.
Billy Dowling (16 disposals and six inside 50s) and Lachie Sholl (17 possessions) played important roles on their respective wings. At the same time, Kieran Strachan (19 touches and 33 hit-outs) commanded the ruck duel in Lachie McAndrew's absence.
James Borlase (14 disposals and nine marks) competed strongly against Tristan Binder in the one-on-one contests, while Charlie Edwards played a valuable role down back in collecting 12 disposals and five rebound 50s.
Skipper Jack Madgen (23 disposals and 10 marks) led superbly in defence and made numerous important intercepts for his team, while fellow SANFL-listed player Blake Drury (17 disposals) was also busy across half-back.
Chris Burgess was a strong focal point in attack for Adelaide and used his strength to great effect to kick three goals, while Tyler Welsh had some positive moments to boot two majors.
Toby Murray made a successful return from injury to kick one goal while also offering some ruck relief and tallying 15 hit-outs.
Norwood was best served by dashing half-back Matthew Ling, who amassed a career-high 35 disposals and five rebound 50s as he continually launched the Redlegs from defence with his run and attacking play.
Jack Heard (17 disposals and six marks) got the better of his match-up with Murray, while Pierce Seymour (19 disposals) read the ball well to execute some crucial intercepts.
Billy Cootee (25 disposals, nine tackles and three goals) was a key playmaker for the Redlegs and had a huge impact, while Baynen Lowe (21 disposals, 12 tackles and seven clearances) was a strong presence at the stoppages.
Nik Rokahr (23 touches and a goal) and skipper Jacob Kennerley (24 disposals) both worked hard in the engine room for Norwood, while Ben Simpson (19 possessions) was productive at the coalface.
Tristan Binder (two goals) fought hard in attack for Norwood, while Finn Heard (17 disposals, 10 hit-outs and a goal) toiled valiantly in switching between ruck and key forward all day.
Central District 13.11 (89) def North Adelaide 6.8 (44)
Central District secured a third consecutive finals berth with a comfortable 45-point victory over North Adelaide at Elizabeth on Saturday.
Starting strongly with a five-goal-to-one opening quarter, the Doggies were never troubled as they eased to victory against a Roosters team besieged by injuries.
North suffered game-ending injuries to Sam Cumming, Harrison Magor and Jake Patmore in the first term, leaving them with only one rotation on the bench for the final three quarters.
It leaves the Roosters limping to the end of the season with their finals hopes now officially gone, while the Dogs still have a faint chance of clinching a top-three finish.
However, the talk of the day all surrounded 17-year-old key forward Doguie Cochrane, who lit up the Ponderosa with four first-half goals in his league debut and impressed with his marking and athleticism.
Aiden Grace was once again a lively presence up forward with three goals, while Beau Thomas was prominent with two goals, along with a series of strong contested marks.
Magarey Medallist Harry Grant (20 disposals and four clearances) made a welcome return to the Bulldogs midfield following his five-game suspension and added crucial ball-winning prowess to their engine room.
Leyton Chisolm (25 disposals and a goal) was highly impactful for the Dogs around the footy, while Kade Dittmar (20 touches and five inside 50s) also enjoyed a solid outing.
Draft hopeful Dyson Sharp (22 disposals) put in another superb audition with one of his best league games this season, while Kai Pudney (29 disposals and 13 marks) was hugely influential on the wing and was a key cog in the Doggies' ball movement.
Jack Tomkinson (17 disposals, four clearances and 11 hit-outs) fought admirably in the ruck after main ruck Kobe Annand went down with a knee injury in the first term.
Luca Whitelum (26 disposals and five rebound 50s) was a key presence down back all day and continually repelled the Bulldogs from defence, while Rhett Montgomerie featured with 19 touches and nine marks.
Dayne Posthuma (14 disposals) largely curtailed Roosters' key forward Mitch Harvey, while Zach Adams (17 touches) and Oliver Shaw (20 disposals) played important roles across half back.
Angus Schumacher (28 possessions and eight inside 50s) again led the way for North Adelaide as he worked hard around the ground to find the footy, while Hughen Wissman (seven tackles and five clearances) fought strongly in the clinches.
Captain Alex Spina (24 disposals and eight rebound 50s) marked his 200th league game with a tireless performance across half back, while Cody Raak (15 touches and eight marks) was strong in the aerial contests.
Noted defender Reed van Huisstede (three goals) continued his new role as a key forward and was the Roosters' main threat in attack, while Brad Ashcroft chipped in with two majors.
Sturt 14.10 (94) def South Adelaide 11.9 (75)
Sturt survived a massive scare from a rapidly improving South Adelaide to maintain their unbeaten run with a 19-point victory at Unley on Saturday.
South stunned the home fans to lead by 29 points at halftime, which is the biggest deficit Sturt has faced against any team so far this season.
However, as all great teams do, Sturt eventually clawed their way back into the contest with a six-goal third term to take the lead at the final change.
While South remained committed to the task in the final quarter, Sturt's extra experience and composure under pressure proved the difference in the end.
With Will Snelling and Jared Dakin still on the sidelines, star midfielder Tom Lewis stood up once again with another brutal performance, tallying 26 touches, 15 tackles and six clearances to have a huge influence at the contest.
Angus Anderson (15 disposals, five clearances and a goal) was also strong in the clinches, while Luke Giacometti (18 possessions and four clearances) had some impactful moments on the wing.
Ruckman Amos Doyle celebrated his 50th league game in fine style, amassing 17 disposals, 32 hit-outs, six tackles and five clearances in another mammoth all-round performance.
After a quiet first half, Josh Hone was instrumental in Sturt's fightback, kicking five second-half goals as the main spark in attack for Sturt with his ability to win the ball in the air and at ground level.
Sam Conforti and Oliver Grivell both chipped in with two goals apiece, while Tom Emmett was valuable with his work rate up the ground in collecting 14 touches and a goal.
At the other end, Zac Becker (20 disposals and five rebound 50s) was influential with his rebound work, while Henry Carey (20 possessions and six rebound 50s) played his best game since returning from injury.
Casey Voss (17 touches and six marks) and Flynn Perez (18 disposals) both featured heavily across half-back, while Will Coomblas and Luke Edmunds were steady at the back.
With Callum McCarty going down with concussion in the opening minutes, fellow gun midfielder Oliver Davis (20 disposals and nine clearances) shouldered the load superbly and offered plenty of grunt in the engine room.
Luke Bogle (17 disposals, six clearances and two goals) played one of his best games for the year, while youngster Tye McManus (14 touches and six clearances) was also thrown into the midfield and impressed with his speed and work in traffic.
Olivier Northam (19 disposals, six clearances and 13 hit-outs) produced some quality follow-up work at ground level in the ruck, while Finn Emile-Brennan (22 touches and a goal) worked hard on the wing to have an impact at both ends of the ground.
Elliot Dunkin (25 possessions and seven rebound 50s) provided his customary run and dash from half back to launch numerous attacks, while Charlie Duncan (19 touches and six rebound 50s) also had some good moments.
Jake Summerton played an outstanding lockdown role on Connor McFadyen and kept the big man to just four disposals, while Will McCarthy and Oscar Clavarino were also diligent in curtailing their opponents.
Sam Skinner continued his revival as a key forward with three first-half goals that helped the Panthers get off to a flying start, while Benny Barrett (two goals) and Emmanuel Ajang (10 disposals) applied plenty of pressure in the front half.
West Adelaide 9.14 (68) def by Port Adelaide 14.8 (92)
An undermanned Port Adelaide secured a hard-earned 24-point victory over West Adelaide that propelled them into the top five for the first time this season.
Despite fielding only eight AFL-listed players as the Power's injury crisis continues to bite, the Magpies' top-end players showed enough class to get them over the line.
Mid-season draftee Ewan Mackinlay was the standout for Port Adelaide, collecting 25 disposals, four clearances, nine inside 50s and two goals in his best game since arriving at Alberton.
Willie Rioli (14 disposals, four clearances and two goals) also spent more time in the midfield and displayed his skill with ball in hand, while Ivan Soldo (21 hit-outs) enjoyed a solid game before suffering a head knock.
SANFL-listed stars Jack Watkins (20 disposals) and Nick Moore (20 touches and five clearances) were productive at the stoppages, while Jake Weidemann (19 disposals and four clearances) was another valuable contributor.
Josh Lai (18 disposals, six marks and eight rebound 50s) continued his good form and offered plenty of drive from half-back, while Harrison Ramm (four marks) played a key role in negating West's tall forwards.
Rome Burgoyne (20 disposals and seven rebound 50s) played another important game in defence and was composed under pressure, while Jez McLennan (22 touches and 11 marks) competed well in the aerial battles.
Veteran Jeremy Finlayson was a key contributor in attack with three goals from 17 disposals and seven marks, while Tom Anastasopoulos pushed forward to kick two majors.
Former Bulldog Shay Linke was also swung into attack and was a valuable target up front in booting two goals, while Austin Harris also kicked two majors on debut.
West Adelaide were hardly disgraced in defeat and remained competitive throughout the day, with some of their emerging players putting in impressive performances.
Lachie Squire continued his outstanding form in the midfield to record 31 disposals, six tackles, seven clearances and two goals, while Brady Searle (22 disposals and seven clearances) put in another tireless display in the engine room.
Jesse Thackeray (24 disposals and three clearances) again showed plenty of promise in his increased midfield time, while Cade Kennedy (16 disposals and a goal) had some good moments throughout.
Dylan White (24 possessions and nine marks) was an important contributor on the wing, while Dylan McCormick fought hard on the other wing and kicked two goals.
Young key defender Will Patton produced an outstanding game at full-back to register 25 disposals, 14 marks and nine rebound 50s, with his intercept work and competitiveness in the one-on-ones particularly noteworthy.
Tom Morrish (22 disposals and eight rebound 50s) and Jonti Schuback (22 touches and five rebound 50s) both worked hard to find plenty of the ball and continually repel West out of defence.
Woodville-West Torrens 9.4 (58) def by Glenelg 19.11 (125)
Glenelg overcame a determined Woodville-West Torrens outfit to claim a 67-point win at Woodville Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Still besieged by injuries, the Eagles fought hard in the opening half to trail by only 21 points at the main break, but the Tigers eventually broke clear with 11 goals to four in the second half to ease to victory.
Former AFL star Jarryd Lyons again showed his class in another stellar performance, racking up 28 disposals, 11 marks, four clearances and a goal to finish as the Tigers' best.
Matthew Allen (27 disposals, eight clearances and seven inside 50s) was not far behind with a typically damaging performance through the midfield, while Luke Partington worked hard at the coalface for his 22 touches and four clearances.
Corey Lyons (16 disposals and five inside 50s) made a solid return from injury, while Cameron McGree (15 disposals, 22 hit-outs and five clearances) enjoyed one of his most effective games in the ruck this season.
Cole Gerloff (19 disposals and two goals) played a key role on the wing and offered assistance in defence and attack, while Darcy Bailey split his time between wing and half-forward to amass 16 disposals and three goals.
Star forward Lachie Hosie worked through some close attention to kick four goals as the main danger man up front, while Liam McBean was a constant threat in the air and kicked three goals.
Luke Reynolds (two goals) was valuable with his work rate to get up the ground and provide an option for his defenders, while Hugh Stagg (two goals and seven tackles) offered great pressure at ground level.
At the other end, veteran Max Proud (13 disposals and seven marks) made some important intercepts behind the play, while Karl Finlay competed well against Connor Ballenden and restricted his impact in the one-on-ones.
Jonty Scharenberg (16 disposals and seven marks) and Alex Martini (16 touches and four rebound 50s) worked effectively across half-back for the Tigers, while Cooper Beecken made some crucial stops down back.
Reliable midfielder Kobe Mutch again led the way for the Eagles with another superb performance, collecting 29 disposals, seven tackles and nine clearances as he continually won first possession at the coalface for his team.
James Rowe (29 disposals, five clearances and two goals) was also influential around the footy and up forward, while Max Beattie (25 disposals, six inside 50s and a goal) offered plenty of spark around the contest.
Luke McKay (20 disposals and four clearances) spent more time around the ball and had an impact, while Jordan Lukac (37 hit-outs) was effective in the ruck and won some quality taps for his midfielders.
Captain Joe Sinor (25 disposals and 10 rebound 50s) was resolute in defence under immense pressure to clear the Eagles from danger on numerous occasions, while Jordan Moore fought well against McBean and negated him in the aerial battles.
Cameron Fleeton also competed strongly against the dangerous Lachie Hosie and neutralised several important contests, while youngster Jordan Tilbrook (20 disposals and seven marks) impressed with his competitiveness against Matt Allen.
Fellow rookie Jake Andrews also showed some good signs in his contest against Luke Reynolds before going down with injury, while Lukas Cooke did well to curtail Riley Holder's impact.
Connor Ballenden was tireless in his efforts up front to kick two goals from 13 disposals and six marks, while Brody Mair executed a terrific defensive forward role on Max Proud, while also kicking two goals of his own.
