Glenelg pulled off a superb comeback to snatch victory at the death against Adelaide, Norwood surged to another gallant victory to keep their season alive, while a fringe Crows forward enjoyed a day out with six goals.
Read all about it in this week's SANFL Wrap.
Central District 8.9.(57) def by Norwood 11.9.(75)
Norwood produced another rousing fightback to claim an 18-point win over Central District and book their place in this week's first semi-final.
In a game of big momentum swings, the Redlegs failed to kick a major in the opening term as the Bulldogs piled on the first three goals of the match to get off to a flying start.
Norwood soon rallied with four goals in the second quarter to take a narrow lead into the main break, before Central responded in the third to hold a nine-point buffer at the last change.
With everything to play for, it was the Redlegs who finished full of running to kick six goals to one in the final stanza and finally break the game open.
While Norwood received an even contribution across the board, gun midfielder Nik Rokahr was arguably the Redlegs' best, standing up with a massive last quarter to finish with 27 disposals, 11 tackles and four clearances.
Billy Cootee (26 disposals and two goals) was damaging from the outset and got his team moving from the stoppages, while skipper Jacob Kennerley (16 disposals and six tackles) led from the front with some inspirational efforts.
Finn Heard (18 disposals, 27 hit-outs and 11 clearances) again worked tirelessly as the makeshift ruckman to have a big impact at the stoppages and around the ground.
Matthew Ling (21 disposals and five rebound 50s) put in another eye-catching performance across half-back as he offered plenty of dash from defence, while Pierce Seymour was resolute with several crucial intercepts.
Tom Donnelly was typically diligent in his shutdown role on Bulldogs star Aiden Grace, while Jack Heard was terrific in curtailing the impact of Beau Thomas in the aerial contests.
Fourth-gamer Balyn O'Brien also competed strongly against fellow youngster Dougie Cochrane, while Alastair Lord was a valuable contributor in negating the Dogs' array of small forwards.
At the other end, Tristan Binder played a key role up front for the Redlegs, kicking three goals and offering an important back-up for Finn Heard in the ruck.
Jackson Callow was a similarly imposing presence in attack as he finished with a goal along with some impressive contested marks, while Jayden Gale worked hard up the ground and booted a clutch final-quarter goal.
Defender Max Hodges was pushed into attack and played a critical defensive forward role on Bulldog interceptor Rhett Montgomerie, while Declan Hamilton pushed forward from the wing to kick two classy goals.
Star midfielder Harry Grant was the Bulldogs' most productive contributor throughout the day, with the 2023 Magarey Medallist returning to his best with 20 disposals, 11 tackles and eight clearances.
Rookie Dyson Sharp made the most of his final audition before the AFL draft, working tirelessly at the stoppages to collect 13 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances as one of the Doggies' best.
Kade Dittmar (14 touches and 10 tackles) also fought valiantly at the stoppages and won some important contests, while Kobe Annand (35 hit-outs) was prolific in the ruck and provided quality service to his midfielders.
Former Bomber Rhett Montgomerie was prominent early across half-back with several impressive intercepts, while Austin Kitschke battled valiantly at full-back in his contest with Callow.
Dayne Posthuma was a solid contributor with his close-checking role on Baynen Lowe, while Jack Callinan continued his good form by quelling the influence of Connor Ling.
Young key forward Dougie Cochrane put in another impressive display in attack, finishing with two goals, while small forward Anzac Lochowiak produced some moments of magic, booting two majors of his own.
Glenelg 10.14.(74) def Adelaide Crows 11.7.(73)
Glenelg completed a stirring final-quarter comeback to pip the Adelaide Crows by one point in a thrilling Qualifying Final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon.
With heavy rain persisting for most of the game, the Bays and Crows were forced into a contested slog as both sides refused to give an inch in an absorbing battle.
Trailing for most of the day owing to some inaccuracy in front of goal, the Tigers were still 13 points in arrears midway through the final term, with the wet conditions making their hopes of a comeback even tougher.
Quick back-to-back goals from Ken Farmer Medallist Lachie Hosie breathed life into the reigning premiers, before Adelaide big man Kieran Strachan took their lead out to seven points with a composed snap on the run.
A clever mid-air strike in the goal square from Luke Reynolds levelled the scores with six minutes remaining, setting up a grandstand finish.
With both sides desperately throwing themselves at the footy, the game reached a stalemate until a long bomb inside 50 by Jarryd Lyons eventually found Matt Allen, whose dribbled kick into the goalpost produced the winning point with 20 seconds remaining.
The match-winning play from Lyons capped a superb afternoon for the former AFL star, who ended with 24 disposals, seven clearances, and five inside 50s as his class and experience rose to the occasion.
Luke Partington (21 disposals and six inside 50s) was similarly prolific in the midfield for the Bays with his toughness and cleanliness at the contest, while Corey Lyons was prominent early and finished with 16 disposals.
James Bell (20 touches and six tackles) thrived in the conditions and offered plenty of strength in the clinches, while Darcy Scott and Cole Gerloff (both 15 disposals) had some key moments on their respective wings.
Allen (21 disposals, six tackles, six inside 50s and a goal) again had a major impact in splitting his time between midfield and attack, while Darcy Bailey spent most of the day up front and kicked two early goals to give Glenelg a fast start.
Hosie recovered from a quiet start to have a big say on the outcome, kicking three goals in the second half to spark his side with his craft and elusiveness around the goals.
Will Chandler (eight tackles) was relentless with his pressure inside the forward 50 and helped the Bays earn repeat entries. Liam McBean contributed a valuable goal in the second term along with some important ruck relief.
Jonty Scharenberg (22 disposals and six rebound 50s) continued his sublime form in defence with another productive display, while Nick Stevens (24 touches and six rebound 50s) also worked hard to find plenty of the ball across half-back.
Brad McCarthy was typically reliable in shutting down Adelaide's fleet of small forwards, while veteran Max Proud (19 disposals) was resolute at the back with his intercept work and competed strongly as an undersized key defender against Strachan.
Karl Finlay played an outstanding game at full-back in keeping Crows big man Toby Murray goalless. Cooper Beecken was similarly important in restricting Chris Burges to one goal.
Adelaide, who will now be forced to front up in a cut-throat semi-final against Norwood on Sunday, were far from disgraced and showcased the talent their AFL-listed players can produce on the big stage.
Hybrid forward Brayden Cook (23 disposals and six goals) was the clear standout in attack for Adelaide, with his ability to find the ball and finish in front of goal causing huge headaches for the Glenelg defence.
With a top-heavy forward line in the wet conditions, tall forwards Chris Burgess, Tyler Welsh and Kieran Strachan worked hard to provide a contest inside 50 and finished with a goal apiece.
Harry Schoenberg (29 disposals, six clearances and a goal) pushed his case for AFL consideration with a damaging display in the midfield, while Chayce Jones (21 touches and eight clearances) was productive in the clinches.
Blake Drury (18 disposals and five clearances) returned to the midfield and had an impact with his ball use on the outside, while Jay Boyle (16 tackles) fought strongly at the coalface.
Luke Nankervis (22 disposals and a goal) and Lachie Sholl (18 possessions) were consistent contributors on their respective wings and were key cogs in Adelaide's transition ball movement throughout the day.
Ruckman Lachie McAndrew made a welcome return to the side from a broken jaw and had an immediate impact, collecting 17 disposals, 42 hit-outs, nine clearances and seven tackles as he worked tirelessly to have an influence around the ground.
Conceding 62 inside 50s for the day, Adelaide's defence held up admirably under immense pressure, with James Borlase leading the way with 20 disposals, six marks and 13 rebound 50s while holding McBean to just one goal.
Jordon Butts also competed strongly in his match-up with Lachie Hosie and negated his impact in the first half. Meanwhile, Harry Boyle (17 disposals) played one of his best SANFL games in keeping small forward Latrelle Sumner-Pickett under wraps.
Charlie Edwards (18 disposals and 10 rebound 50s) worked tirelessly at the back to repeatedly clear the Crows from danger, while Stephen Tahana (19 disposals) had some big moments in his duel with Riley Holder.
