A Port Adelaide veteran produced a mammoth performance in the ruck, an emerging Crow enjoyed a massive day at the office at Noarlunga, while Norwood and Glenelg held on for crucial wins in thrilling contests.
Read all about it in this week's SANFL Wrap.
North Adelaide 11.8 (74) def by Glenelg 11.13 (79)
A late goal from former Swan James Bell was enough to push Glenelg over the line for a nail-biting five-point victory over North Adelaide at Prospect over the weekend.
Glenelg's only goal of the last quarter, Bell's classy snap from the boundary, snatched victory from a determined Roosters outfit that more than held their own against the reigning premiers for most of the day.
Playing some inspired football, North led by three goals on the cusp of halftime and still held a slender lead halfway through a tense final quarter, but were ultimately undone by Bell's piece of magic in the dying stages.
After a quiet patch of form, Bell was one of Glenelg's stronger contributors on the day, collecting 20 disposals, seven clearances and two goals with a dynamic midfield performance.
Luke Partington (24 disposals and six inside 50s) was also industrious around the footy, while Jarryd Lyons (23 touches and six inside 50s) racked up plenty of the ball and used it effectively.
Matthew Allen (22 disposals, nine marks and a goal) was a key architect in the win and posed a huge threat both in the midfield and up forward, while Cole Gerloff (16 possessions) had some important moments on the wing.
Cam McGree (14 disposals and 26 hit-outs) played one of his better games for the season and was influential in the ruck battle against North's tandem of Alex van Wyk and Mitch Harvey.
Lachie Hosie overcame a quiet first half to be a key instigator in Glenelg's fightback with three quick goals to start the third quarter before finishing with four for the day.
Skipper Liam McBean fought through a tough battle with Dyson Hilder to kick two goals and provide some important relief ruck work, while Darcy Bailey also spent more time in attack and finished with two majors.
Jonty Scharenberg (20 disposals) was again prominent across half-back and often cleared Glenelg from defence, while Max Proud (15 possessions) patrolled the backline expertly to make some crucial intercepts.
Former Rooster Karl Finlay played an important lockdown role on Reed van Huisstede as well as North's resting ruckmen, while Cooper Beecken fought strongly in his contest against Brad Ashcroft.
North Adelaide's Frank Szekely moved into the midfield and provided a much-needed spark with 22 disposals and five clearances, while Will Francou (22 touches) also played more midfield time upon his league return.
Will Gowers (18 disposals and a goal) impressed with his work rate and tenacity on the wing, while Oskar Faulkhead (24 touches) found plenty of footy on the other wing to have an impact.
Cody Raak enjoyed another outstanding game in defence to finish with 22 disposals and 14 marks, while Dyson Hilder worked tirelessly to limit Liam McBean's impact in the one-on-one duels and halved some important contests.
Steve Jackson (14 disposals and nine rebound 50s) had some big moments at the back for North, while Kye Pfrengle competed well against Lachie Hosie in the first half.
Reed van Huisstede again showed promising signs in his new forward role to kick two goals, while Hughen Wissman also spent more time forward to finish with two majors as well.
Norwood 12.14 (86) def West Adelaide 13.7 (85)
Norwood survived a massive scare from a spirited West Adelaide outfit to hold on for a thrilling one-point win that keeps them in the finals race.
With the Bloods bringing manic pressure at the contest from the first bounce, Norwood were put on the back foot early and were well below their best for much of the day, with their lead never surpassing seven points at any stage.
Nik Rokahr worked tirelessly in the clinches for Norwood in the engine room with 28 disposals, nine tackles and eight clearances, while Baynen Lowe (20 disposals and a goal) was also a key contributor in the midfield and up forward.
Billy Cootee fought through a tough tag from Lachie Squire to collect 18 disposals and two goals, while skipper Jacob Kennerley worked hard to amass 20 touches and eight inside 50s.
Luke Surman battled valiantly despite giving away significant height in the ruck, finishing with 19 disposals and 10 clearances as his contest work at ground level and around the ground proved valuable.
Declan Hamilton was a consistent contributor on the wing with 20 disposals and a crucial goal in the last term, while Connor Ling had some important moments on the other wing with his 19 touches and five inside 50s.
Matthew Ling (19 disposals and a goal) continued his stellar form with another superb display at half-back, with his run and dash from defence providing an important spark for his team.
Veteran Pierce Seymour (22 disposals and 11 marks) was again a key cog in defence for the Redlegs, with his intercept work thwarting several West Adelaide attacks.
Tom Donnelly fought strongly as an undersized key defender on Tom Scully and neutralised several critical contests, while Jack Heard played a terrific shutdown role on Ned Stevens.
At the other end, Jayden Gale (three goals) worked hard up the ground in his half-forward role to have an impact, while key forwards Tristan Binder and Finn Heard kicked a goal apiece.
Despite not getting the win, West Adelaide can take pride in the fact that they were the better team for much of the day and had an even spread of contributors across the park.
Big ruckman Caleb May played arguably his best game for the Bloods with a commanding display, collecting 18 disposals, 35 hit-outs, five clearances and three contested marks.
He was well aided by Riley Corbett, who played his best game of the season in tallying 17 disposals, 18 hit-outs, eight clearances and four contested marks to have a massive influence on proceedings.
Lachie Squire (20 touches and seven clearances) found plenty of the footy while also executing a terrific tag on Cootee, while Brady Searle was damaging at the contest with 16 disposals, seven inside 50s and a goal.
Tom Morrish (20 disposals and 10 rebound 50s) was seemingly everywhere across half-back and provided important rebound for the Bloods, while Will Patton (seven marks and five rebound 50s) was resolute at full-back.
Tom Scully was the leading threat in attack for West Adelaide with three goals and showed his ability in the air and on the ground, while Cade Kennedy was lively with two majors.
Woodville-West Torrens 8.7 (55) def by Sturt 19.22 (136)
Sturt officially claimed the SANFL minor premiership and extended their unbeaten streak with a clinical 81-point victory over Woodville-West Torrens on Saturday.
The injury-ravaged Eagles put up a strong fight in the first quarter to trail by only seven points at the first break, but Sturt surged clear thereafter with some devastating passages of play.
The Blues' midfield strength was on full display from the outset, with Tom Lewis winning plenty of contested footy to finish with 26 disposals and 10 clearances, while Angus Anderson put in another strong performance with 26 touches and a goal.
Skipper James Battersby made a successful return to the league side from his knee injury and had an immediate impact with 22 disposals and eight clearances, while Amos Doyle continued his strong form in the ruck with 19 disposals, 23 hit-outs and a goal.
Luke Giacometti (20 disposals and a goal) was productive on the wing, while Nick Sadler (18 possessions) returned to his wing position and had some positive moments.
Casey Voss (20 disposals and eight marks) and Flynn Perez (19 touches) both worked hard across half-back to provide plenty of rebound, while Zac Becker (17 possessions) was a key attacking weapon out of defence.
Will Coomblas (20 disposals and eight marks) controlled the backline with great surety and took some important intercept marks, while Luke Edmunds played a strong lockdown role on Connor Ballenden.
Daniel Fahey-Sparks (three goals and 13 hit-outs) made a valuable contribution both in attack and in the ruck, while Oliver Grivell was a dangerous presence inside 50 with three goals.
Rookie Luca Slade was lively around the goals to slot three majors, while fellow small forwards Josh Hone and James Mathews were busy with two goals each.
Star midfielder Kobe Mutch again led the way for the Eagles, tallying 27 disposals and six clearances as he worked hard to win the footy at the coalface.
Luke McKay spent more time through the midfield and was impactful with 24 disposals and six inside 50s, while Max Beattie (25 disposals and three clearances) continued his new midfield role and got the ball moving for his team.
James Rowe worked through some close attention to amass 17 disposals, while wingman Zane Williams worked to both ends of the ground with his 19 possessions.
Captain Joe Sinor (25 disposals and eight rebound 50s) was tireless in a defence often under siege and continually cleared the Eagles from danger, while Lukas Cooke (19 disposals and nine rebound 50s) was similarly resolute at the back.
Jordan Moore played an outstanding shutdown role on Connor McFadyen to limit the big man to just one goal, while Max Litster halved some key contests on Sturt forward Kobe McEntee.
Jordan Tilbrook again impressed with his competitiveness and composure in the backline in his contest against Josh Hone, while Jake Andrews had some positive moments opposed to James Mathews.
While starved of opportunity in attack, Sam Nicholls worked hard to find 19 disposals and a goal, while Connor Ballenden offered a key focal point and contributed one goal.
South Adelaide 8.8 (56) def by Adelaide Crows 12.11 (83)
Adelaide clinched a top-three finish and the finals double chance with a hard-fought 27-point victory over South Adelaide at Noarlunga on Saturday.
Enjoying a strong start to the contest, Adelaide led by as much as 48 points early in the final term, but were forced to withstand a rapid-fire South Adelaide fightback before steadying to an important victory on the eve of finals.
With Harry Schoenberg, Lachie Murphy and Luke Pedlar all missing from the line-up, Billy Dowling relished his move into the midfield to rack up a stunning 41 disposals, eight marks and two goals in a clear best afield display.
Veteran Matt Crouch put in another strong case for an AFL recall with 33 disposals, seven clearances and eight tackles, with his strength around the contest a major factor in the game.
Sid Draper (22 touches and seven clearances) was also prominent through the midfield with his ability to burst from stoppage and open up the game, while Lachie Sholl showed his class on the wing with 24 disposals and a goal.
Kieran Strachan again stood tall in the ruck in the absence of Lachie McAndrew with 16 disposals, 39 hit-outs and a goal, while Toby Murray offered valuable ruck relief with 13 touches and 16 hit-outs.
Brodie Smith made a welcome return to the Crows' backline and racked up 22 disposals and six rebound 50s, with his composure and precise ball use having a big impact on the game.
Blake Drury (25 disposals and six rebound 50s) continued his new role across half-back and was busy throughout the day, while Charlie Edwards picked up 19 possessions in another solid display.
Jordon Butts made a successful return from his punctured lung with a strong performance at full-back, while James Borlase (17 disposals and nine marks) was influential in the aerial battles.
With Butts returning to the backline, skipper Jack Madgen was sent forward and kicked three goals, while SANFL-listed small forward Lachie Thomas also snared three majors.
Tyler Welsh had some impressive moments in attack to finish with 10 disposals and a goal, while Brayden Cook had 14 disposals and kicked 1.3.
South Adelaide midfielder Ollie Davis (33 disposals, nine clearances and five tackles) continued his sublime form with another productive display, while Luke Bogle (23 touches) showed his wares with more midfield time.
Tye McManus (17 disposals) again caught the eye with his speed and cleanliness in traffic, while ruckman Olivier Northam worked hard at ground level and pushed forward on occasion to amass 19 disposals, seven clearances and two goals.
Elliot Dunkin (22 disposals) offered his usual spark and dash across half-back, while Oscar Clavarino (16 disposals and 11 marks) was resolute in defence and halted numerous Adelaide attacks.
Jake Summerton (12 disposals and six rebound 50s) continually repelled the Panthers from defence, while former Power-listed tall Kyle Marshall made some important stops.
The highlight of the day for Panthers fans was the debut of local product Ryan Borlace, who kicked four goals and competed well against an experienced Adelaide backline.
Port Adelaide 14.10 (94) def Central District 12.8 (80)
Port Adelaide retained their spot in the top five with an impressive 14-point win over flag contender Central District at Alberton on Sunday.
Still down on AFL talent owing to the Power's injury woes, the Magpies jumped their more fancied opponents with a fast start and successfully held off several Bulldogs challenges throughout the day.
AFL veteran Jeremy Finlayson produced a standout best afield performance for the Magpies in the ruck, tallying 30 disposals, 17 clearances, nine inside 50s and two goals as he worked tirelessly around the ground to have a huge impact.
First-year draftee Christian Moraes (24 disposals and a goal) put in another strong display and featured prominently with his speed and creative ball use, while mid-season draftee Ewan Mackinlay continued his good form with 21 touches and a goal.
SANFL-listed star Jack Watkins (24 touches, five clearances and a goal) was industrious through the midfield, while wingman Tom Anastasopoulos enjoyed another solid afternoon with 16 disposals and seven inside 50s.
Retiring AFL veteran Rory Atkins showed his class and poise at half-back with 22 disposals and eight rebound 50s, while Josh Lai (20 disposals) continued his emergence in defence and started several attacking chains with his pace and creative flair.
Jez McLennan was moved to a shutdown role on Bulldogs danger man Aiden Grace and neutralised some important one-on-one contests, while mid-season pickup Harrison Ramm got the better of his duel with Dougie Cochrane.
SANFL-listed forward Josh Byrne was lively in attack and finished with three goals, while Lachie Charleson booted two goals and Dylan Williams managed 1.3 from nine disposals.
Despite the damage his opponent did, Beau Thomas fought valiantly as the Bulldogs' backup ruckman for Central and managed 17 disposals, 27 hit-outs, eight clearances and a goal in a tireless effort across the ground.
Kade Dittmar (19 disposals, five clearances and a goal) was productive in the middle and won some important contests, while Kai Pudney (21 disposals and two goals) was a constant presence on the wing and pushed hard into defence and attack.
Zach Adams (18 disposals and nine marks) was prominent in defence with his intercept work, as was former Bomber Rhett Montgomerie (16 touches and eight rebound 50s).
Luca Whitelum (18 possessions) was composed under pressure down back, while Austin Kitschke was serviceable in blanketing Port Adelaide forward Shay Linke.
Receiving only a limited supply inside 50, Anzac Lochowiak picked up 13 disposals and a goal, while Leyton Chisolm, Dougie Cochrane and Dyson Sharp all booted one goal each.
