Woodville-West Torrens James Rowe in the SANFL, 2023 (Image via Instagram, @eagleswwtfc)
With the AFL Mid-Season Draft to take place on Wednesday, SANFL stars had one more chance to make an impression.
Many of the standout prospects did just that, with a North Adelaide forward showing exactly why he's predicted to find a spot on an AFL list by the end of the week.
Sturt continued their surging start to the season, with a tackling machine posting a rare double-double stat line in the Double Blues win and a teammate backing up his Mid-Season Draft nomination.
Adelaide's AFL-experienced midfield put on a dominant display as the Crows took their fifth win of the season.
Matt Crouch (30 disposals), Harry Schoenberg (29 disposals), and Sam Berry (25 disposals, one goal) powered their side to win the inside 50 count 48-41, while Nik Rokahr battled hard in the centre for Norwood with six clearances.
It was a tight-scoring affair in the first half before Adelaide kicked six unanswered goals in the second half. Crows youngster Lachie Gollant was dangerous but inaccurate, finishing with two goals and three behinds from 21 touches.
Norwood key back Jack Heard held strong in defence with five marks and 18 disposals, while Redlegs ruckman Harry Boyd engaged in an impressive battle with Adelaide's Kieran Strachan.
A high-scoring clash between the Roosters and Magpies provided the spark for a number of standout performances, including Mid-Season Draft hopeful Noah Casalini.
It was Casalini's best performance since Anzac Day, as the athletic forward kicked five goals to lead his side to victory. The 190cm forward kicked three crafty goals from open play, which would've caught the eye of a few curious AFL scouts.
Magarey medallist Aaron Young was back to his best against his former side, collecting 30 disposals and two goals, while Josh Sinn played a breakout game for the Magpies with two goals from 24 touches.
Elsewhere, Port Adelaide's Jed Hagan delivered a dynamic performance. The 19-year-old Mid-Season Draft nominee finished with 20 disposals and a goal, and he continues to push his case for an AFL slot.
Read more: The top six AFL Mid-Season Draft Prospects from the SANFL
Sturt held on in a narrow victory over South Adelaide, to make it seven wins in a row. In a low-scoring match, Lachlan Burrows provided the goals for the Double Blues, kicking three majors alongside Josh Hone's two.
For the Panthers, it was Zach Sproule who converted three goals, while teammate Mitch O'Neill lead the ground in disposals on the day.
Two Mid-Season Draft potentials again performed for Sturt. Tom Lewis had one of the performances of the round with a 20-disposal, 20-tackle double-double, while Martin Frederick collected 21 possessions.
The loss sees South Adelaide continue its slide down the ladder, as the club now sits ninth after winning its first two games of the season.
A great individual performance from Magarey medallist Luke Partington got Glenelg over the line in another close Round 7 clash. The 26-year-old had 36 disposals and eight marks in a dominant display.
Harry Grant was best on for Central District with 28 possessions and eight tackles, finding good supply from Billy McCormack who won the hit-outs count comfortably.
Matthew Coulthard was dangerous for the Bays, as he slotted four goals from open play and showed off his roving skills with a slick finish in the third term. On the other end, ex-Swan Toby Pink was once again a rock in defence for the Tigers.
There was little to enjoy for West Adelaide, as the Eagles ran out 56-point winners behind an explosive James Rowe performance. The former Crow showed AFL scouts that he still has it, firing three goals and taking 26 disposals in a best-on-ground showing after a similarly dominant effort in the State Game earlier this month.
Fellow ex-Crow Riley Knight was dominant in the midfield, as was youngster Adam D'Aloia. The pair, along with ex-Tiger Riley Collier-Dawkins, won their share of the ball in the midfield and showcased the potential of this talented on-ball brigade.
West Adelaide's Liam Delahunty snapped the first goal of the day before finishing with two majors, while Bloods midfielder Callum Park found room to release 21 kicks in a strong performance.
Overall, it was a disappointing day for the Bloods who drop to a 2-5 record for the season.