Glenelg and Adelaide both overcame sluggish starts to claim important victories, Norwood inflicted more pain on the injury-ridled Eagles with a mammoth win, while a Port Adelaide rookie stood tall in a big win over North Adelaide.
Read all about it in this week's SANFL Wrap.
Norwood 24.14.(158) def Woodville-West Torrens 3.9.(27)
Norwood boosted their finals hopes with a thumping 131-point win over an injury-plagued Woodville-West Torrens at The Parade on Saturday.
With injuries continuing to ravage the Eagles, Norwood looked a class above from the outset as they claimed the biggest win of the season so far in devastating fashion.
After a disappointing display at Elizabeth last week, the Redlegs piled on seven goals in the opening term to all but wrap up the contest by quarter time, with their pressure and ability to score from turnover evident from the first bounce.
The home side extended their lead at every break to gain crucial percentage in their quest for a finals berth, as they now sit just one game outside the top five.
Producing such a comprehensive display, it is hardly surprising that Norwood had winners all over the ground and an even spread of contributors across every line, with almost every player contributing a noteworthy performance.
However, star midfielder Billy Cootee stood out in a best-afield performance, racking up a career-high 39 disposals, six clearances, 12 marks and two goals as he dominated proceedings and worked hard to find the footy.
Nik Rokahr (33 disposals and 11 inside 50s) found plenty of space and was damaging with ball in hand, while Baynen Lowe (22 touches and four goals) overcame plenty of attention to have a huge impact.
Declan Hamilton (32 disposals, 10 marks and a goal) controlled his wing expertly and was a key playmaker for the Redlegs, while Connor Ling (16 touches and a goal) was moved to the wing and had some big moments.
Ben Simpson (20 possessions) came in for his first game of the season and added extra depth in the midfield, while skipper Jacob Kennerley (17 disposals) was relentless with his pressure.
Missing key forward Jackson Callow through suspension, fellow big men Tristan Binder (six goals) and Finn Heard (five goals) offered plenty of firepower in attack and were constant threats with their contested marking.
Alec Wright (17 disposals and two goals) split his time between the midfield and forward line and offered plenty of physicality at the contest, while Ollie Sanders and Jayden Gale worked hard up the ground as high half forwards.
Cooper Murley (28 disposals and eight marks) and Matthew Ling (22 touches) were proactive at half-back and launched countless attacks from defence, while Alastair Lord (19 possessions) blended defence and attack nicely.
Jack Heard (20 disposals and 11 marks) was resolute at the back and made several important intercepts, while Pierce Seymour (19 touches and eight marks) patrolled the backline with great surety.
First-gamer Max Hodges (19 disposals and five rebound 50s) was impressive on debut with his reading of the play and calm decision making, while Tom Donnelly fought strongly against Connor Ballenden despite giving away significant size.
On a lean day for the Eagles, captain Joe Sinor (20 disposals and eight clearances) and James Rowe (21 touches and six clearances) were tireless in the midfield but severely outnumbered.
Kobe Mutch (18 possessions and seven tackles) also battled valiantly, while Jordan Lukac (20 hitouts) and David Brinker-Ritchie (14 hitouts) combined well to win the ruck duel.
Jack Cook (17 disposals and seven rebound 50s) was composed at the back under extreme pressure, while Max Litster (16 disposals) worked hard in the air and at ground level.
Connor Ballenden (three goals and six marks) was the Eagles' only goal scorer and continued to fight for his team against long odds.
Sturt 17.14.(116) def Central District 9.11.(65)
Sturt swept aside fellow flag contender Central District with consummate ease to claim a 51-point win and extend their unbeaten run to 14 games.
After seeing off an early challenge from the Bulldogs, Sturt built up a 45-point lead by half time, which they maintained for the rest of the afternoon with relatively few troubles.
Still without several big-name players, Sturt had Tom Lewis (28 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal) lead the way in the middle with another stellar performance, with his ability to extract the ball and release teammates causing plenty of havoc.
Angus Anderson (15 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances) also worked hard for the Double Blues, while Nick Sadler (15 possessions and a goal) also saw more midfield time and held his own at the coalface.
Amos Doyle (21 disposals, 35 hitouts, six clearances and a goal) enjoyed a sensational afternoon in the ruck and worked hard to have a massive influence around the ground as well.
Connor McFadyen (five goals) continued his good run of form with another bag as he proved difficult to stop in the air, while Josh Hone was lively with four goals from 13 disposals.
Oliver Grivell (two goals) played his part up front, while ex-Docker Tom Emmett (21 disposals) worked hard as the link man up the ground but could not convert in front of goal.
At the other end, Casey Voss (24 disposals and six rebound 50s) was a constant presence across half-back, while Flynn Perez (24 touches and nine marks) started countless attacks with his speed and creativity.
Will Coomblas (22 disposals and 10 marks) was at his very best in blanketing Central big man Jack Tomkinson, while Zac Becker (15 touches and seven marks) made some crucial stops.
For Central, Kade Dittmar (19 disposals and six tackles) and Leyton Chisolm (16 touches and five clearances) worked hard in the engine room, while Kai Pudney (15 disposals) returned to the wing and toiled valiantly.
Beau Thomas (15 disposals, four contested marks and four goals) was a shining light in attack and threatened all day with his contested work, while Aiden Grace contributed two majors.
Luca Whitelum (19 disposals and five rebound 50s) was again a consistent performer in defence for the Bulldogs, while Zach Adams (18 disposals and seven marks) made some key intercepts.
George Kendall (15 disposals and eight marks) was strong at the back, while Daniel Fairbrother impressed on debut with a close-checking role on the dangerous Sam Conforti.
Glenelg 17.7.(109) def South Adelaide 15.5.(95)
Glenelg survived a massive scare from a determined South Adelaide outfit to register a crucial 14-point victory at the Bay on Saturday afternoon.
The plucky Panthers took the challenge right up to the reigning premiers all day, leading by 22 points just before the final change as they largely matched the Tigers in all the key areas.
However, the Glenelg attacking juggernaut soon kicked into gear as they booted seven goals in the final quarter to surge home for an important victory.
Gun Tiger recruit Jarryd Lyons (23 disposals, 10 marks and nine inside 50s) continued his stellar run of form with another damaging performance through the midfield, while Matthew Allen (27 touches) had a huge influence around the ground.
Luke Partington (27 disposals and four clearances) was a key ball winner at the stoppages, while James Bell (21 disposals and six tackles) offered his usual toughness in the clinches.
Lachie Hosie was again the star of the show up forward with a bag of six goals, including five in the second half, as he extended his lead in the Ken Farmer Medal race.
Liam McBean was efficient in front of goal to kick five majors as he nailed several difficult shots to keep his team in the game, while Luke Reynolds also chipped in with four goals of his own.
Max Proud (21 disposals and 16 marks) was almost impassable in defence as he made countless intercepts for the Tigers, while Jonty Scharenberg (18 touches and six rebound 50s) was effective across half-back.
Karl Finlay (11 disposals and five marks) played a valuable role in curtailing Damon Freitag, while Cooper Beecken also competed strongly despite being undersized against South's tall forwards.
Despite not getting the result, South can be pleased with the performances of several emerging stars against one of the league's toughest opponents.
Ollie Davis (24 disposals and eight clearances) was hugely influential through the midfield and showed great class against strong opposition, while Callum McCarty (17 touches and seven clearances) continually won first possession at the coalface.
Olivier Northam (19 disposals, 28 hitouts and seven clearances) enjoyed a dominant afternoon in the ruck and made his presence felt at the contest all day, while wingman Finn Emile-Brennan (20 disposals) was a solid contributor throughout.
Elliot Dunkin (21 disposals) was again dynamic across half-back and a key architect in South Adelaide's ball movement, while Charlie Duncan and Dakota Sterzl (17 possessions each) were both valuable contributors down back.
Oscar Clavarino (14 disposals and eight marks) had some good moments in defence but was ultimately bested by Hosie, while Kyle Marshall (13 disposals and seven rebound 50s) was solid in his first game since returning to Noarlunga.
Sam Skinner (four goals) was again a key focal point in attack with his strong contested marking, while Tom Barrett (four goals) was electric inside 50 with his pace and skills.
Corey Grocock made the most of his reprieve at league level to kick two goals, while Emmanuel Ajang (one goal) was valuable in his defensive forward role on Nick Stevens.
West Adelaide 12.7.(79) def by Adelaide Crows 21.14.(140)
Adelaide overcame a fast-starting West Adelaide side to claim the Neil Kerley Memorial Trophy by 61 points at Richmond Oval on Saturday.
Playing in honour of the South Australian football great, West threatened to cause the boilover of the season as they led by 22 points early in the second quarter after playing some inspired football.
But Adelaide soon clicked into gear and responded with nine unanswered goals in a withering 22-minute burst to assert their authority and lead by 33 points at the main break.
Adelaide continued on their way with another nine goals in the second half to flex their muscles and finish as comfortable victors.
The Crows benefited from an even spread of contributors on the day, with several AFL-listed players again pushing their case for higher honours.
Matt Crouch (28 disposals and nine clearances) made a successful return from injury and looked a class above in the first three quarters before being put on ice in the last.
Young gun Sid Draper (32 disposals, six inside 50s and a goal) played his best SANFL game of the season and featured prominently with his class in traffic and burst from stoppage.
Harry Schoenberg (24 disposals) worked effectively in the clinches, while Lachie Murphy was damaging with his 29 disposals as he split his time between forward and midfield.
Lachie McAndrew (19 disposals, 34 hitouts and seven clearances) put in a standout performance in the ruck, consistently winning quality taps for his midfielders.
Billy Dowling (27 disposals) was busy on the wing all afternoon, while Lachie Sholl (21 touches and two goals) showed his class with ball in hand when entering the forward line.
Veteran Brodie Smith (32 disposals and 11 marks) returned to the SANFL side and set up countless plays with his attacking ball use, while Charlie Edwards (21 touches) was similarly damaging with the footy at half back.
Hugh Bond (21 disposals and five rebound 50s) played one of his best games of the season and added some more attacking flair to his game, while Oscar Ryan (21 possessions) had an impact further up the ground.
James Borlase (15 disposals and four rebound 50s) played a valuable game on gun forward Tom Scully, while Jack Madgen (16 disposals) completely blanketed Ned Stevens.
At the other end, Chris Burgess (16 disposals and four goals) was influential with his marking in attack, while Kieran Strachan continued his resurgence as a forward to kick four majors.
Blake Drury (17 disposals and two goals) was a dangerous presence inside 50, while Luke Nankervis and Karl Gallagher both contributed two goals each.
West Adelaide captain Isaac Johnson (28 disposals, six clearances and three goals) moved into the midfield and played a starring role, while emerging mid Jesse Thackeray (26 disposals and seven clearances) also stood up in the engine room.
Lachie Squire (25 disposals) again impressed with his ability to win the footy in tight, while Brady Searle was valuable with 23 touches and a goal before going off with a hand injury.
Tom Morrish (32 disposals and nine rebound 50s) played an outstanding game at half-back and offered great drive from defence, while Jonti Schuback (21 disposals) also mixed offence and defence effectively.
Tom Scully (three goals) toiled valiantly to be West's main threat in attack, while Michael Laudato (two goals) was also serviceable inside 50.
North Adelaide 10.8.(68) def by Port Adelaide 15.10.(100)
Port Adelaide claimed a crucial 32-point win in an emotion-charged game against North Adelaide as both sides paid tribute to South Australian football legend Barrie Robran.
The Roosters, determined to honour their club's greatest ever servant, surged to a 19-point lead at the main break after playing some vastly improved football against a quality Magpies lineup.
However, Port responded with a devastating six-goal third quarter, taking control of the contest to lead by 13 points at the final change.
An early North Adelaide goal to start the final quarter put them well within reach, before the Magpies again moved clear with four consecutive goals to wrap up the contest.
Port Adelaide were boosted by the performance of several key AFL-listed players who continue to press for a spot in the Power team, particularly in the forward line.
Utility Jeremy Finlayson was a crucial component up front with four goals, including three in a six-minute burst in the third term to help turn the momentum in Port's favour.
With ruckman Ivan Soldo going down just before half time, rookie tall Jack Whitlock held his own as the makeshift ruck in the second half, collecting 14 hit-uts to go with his 18 disposals and three goals.
Lachie Charleson (three goals) returned to the lineup and played one of his most effective games of the season as a dangerous small forward, while Willie Rioli contributed two goals and stood out with his sharp ball use.
First-year player Joe Berry (20 possessions and a goal) was stationed mostly in attack and had some good moments, while Benny Barrett (19 touches and a goal) was lively around the goals.
Marquee SANFL-listed recruit Jack Watkins (31 disposals and seven clearances) worked hard around the ground and racked up plenty of the footy, while Jed McEntee (16 disposals and five clearances) split his time between forward and midfield.
Tom Anastasopoulos (23 disposals) played arguably his best game on the wing and ran hard to offer support in defence and attack.
Mid-season draftee Harrison Ramm (19 disposals and 12 marks) played a strong game at full-back against Mitch Harvey and took a series of impressive intercept marks, while Josh Lai (19 disposals) continued his emergence at half-back.
Rory Atkins (25 disposals) was composed across half-back and offered plenty of rebound for the Magpies, while Jez McLennan (22 disposals and 12 marks) had a big influence with his intercept work.
Rome Burgoyne (18 disposals and seven rebound 50s) continues to impress with his calm and poised ball use, while Shay Linke (20 disposals) played one of his best games for the club and continually repelled the Magpies from defence.
North Adelaide were again led by star recruit Angus Schumacher (32 disposals and nine clearances), who continued to fight at the stoppages all day.
Harrison Wigg (25 disposals and seven rebound 50s) found plenty of the ball and used it wisely in his 150th league game, while Alex van Wyk (24 hitouts) was serviceable in the ruck in his first game back from injury.
Cody Raak (16 disposals and eight marks) competed strongly as an undersized key defender and took some impressive grabs, while Steve Jackson (16 touches and eight rebound 50s) repelled North from defence on several occasions.
Captain Alex Spina (17 possessions and seven rebound 50s) was tireless in defence for his team, while Blayne O'Loughlin offered some spark across the half-back line.
Frank Szekely (three goals) was a dangerous presence inside 50 and showed his smarts around goal, while Zavier Maher was stationed up forward and kicked three goals.
Nigel Lockyer was effective as a leading forward, working up the ground to finish with two majors, while Will Gowers (18 disposals) returned to the side and was impactful up forward.
