Westies claim first win in boilover, Crows return to form, Sturt maintain perfect start: SANFL Wrap – Round 5

West Adelaide produced a massive upset to claim their first win of the year in dramatic fashion, the Crows returned to the winner's list with a clinical victory over Norwood, while Sturt edged out Glenelg to go 5-0.

Read all about it in this week's SANFL Wrap.

Woodville-West Torrens 12.5 (77) def. Port Adelaide 7.10 (52)

Woodville-West Torrens continued their hot start to the season with a 25-point win over Port Adelaide at Woodville on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles were clinical in registering their fourth win in succession, with their ball use and entries into the forward line a class above their battling opponents.

Despite earning 14 fewer inside 50s and chalking up the same number of scoring shots, the Eagles made the most of their chances with quality entries and kicking at goal proving the difference.

Port Adelaide enjoyed the first use of a strong southerly breeze that persisted throughout the day but scored a wasteful 1.7 to the Eagles' 2.2, which put them on the back foot early.

Although Port comfortably won the hit-outs, the Eagles' midfield took control in the engine room to win clearances 38-23.

Returning premiership star Kobe Mutch (29 disposals and six clearances) and Riley Knight (26 touches and six clearances) were pivotal in winning first possession for their team across the day.

James Rowe (31 disposals) defied the attention of Hugh Jackson to have a huge influence on the outcome with his creative ball use, while Luke McKay (17 disposals and a goal) was impactful with ball in hand.

The hosts' defence was again a shining light, with Lukas Cooke (19 disposals and nine marks) blanketing Shay Linke, while Jordan Moore battled strongly against Jack Whitlock, and Cameron Fleeton negated the Magpies' resting ruckmen.

Max Beattie (26 possessions) was a key attacking weapon from half-back, while Joe Sinor (23 touches) and Max Litster (24 disposals and five rebound 50s) were steady in defence.

At the other end, Jett Hasting (three goals) was lively in attack as a dangerous small forward, and Jack Hayes (one goal and seven marks) worked hard to provide an aerial option.

Connor Ballenden (five contested marks and two goals) took a series of big marks as the exit option from defence and was crucial in turning defence into attack.

In a fairly spirited performance, Port Adelaide had several AFL-listed players put their hand up for higher honours with creditable performances across the ground.

Rory Atkins (31 disposals and six inside 50s) played mostly on the wing and was damaging with ball in hand, while Hugh Jackson (27 touches and five inside 50s) was productive for the visitors in the midfield.

Ryan Burton (22 disposals) was a key contributor across half-back along with Jez McLennan (18 disposals), who also worked hard in defence.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher neutralised his contest with Eagles big man Jack Hayes, while Jack Whitlock (three goals) toiled valiantly as Port's spearhead in attack.

Dante Vistentini (25 hit-outs and four clearances) took most of the ruck duties and won his fair share of contests.

Central District 13.10 (88) def. South Adelaide 5.4 (34)

Central District overcame a slow start to surge past South Adelaide by 54 points at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday to claim second place on the SANFL ladder after five rounds.

The Panthers burst out of the blocks early to kick two majors inside the opening five minutes to put the hosts on the back foot.

The Bulldogs eventually got on top around the stoppages and worked their way into the contest to take the lead early in the second term, from which point they never looked back.

A miserly defence saw South kick just two goals after quarter time as the Dogs kicked clear with the only five goals of the final term to end comfortable winners.

With star Magarey Medallist Harry Grant receiving a close tag from Tom Wheaton, Mani Liddy (26 disposals and five clearances) and Kade Dittmar (19 touches, six clearances and three goals) took control at the stoppages.

Kai Pudney (22 disposals) was industrious on the wing and worked hard all day, while Wilson Barry (14 touches) had some important moments on the other wing.

Aiden Grace (four goals) was instrumental in the Bulldogs' fightback with three first-half goals, while Jake Gasper, Nick Lange and Anzac Lochowiak all kicked two as the Doggies once again spread the load in front of goal.

Former Bomber Rhett Montgomerie (17 possessions and nine marks) was hugely influential with his intercept marking, while George Kendall was outstanding in limiting Corey Grocock to just three possessions and no goals.

Austin Kitschke kept the dangerous Noah Howes quiet and blunted his impact in the air, while Dayne Posthuma blanketed first-gamer Cody Lowe.

Ruck recruit Olivier Northam was once again a standout contributor on a tough day for the Panthers, finishing with 32 hit-outs and eight clearances in a terrific all-round performance.

Ollie Davis (18 disposals and four clearances) was prominent early as one of the catalysts for South's fast start, while recruits Brad Jefferies (19 touches) and Luke Bogle (15 possessions and seven tackles) battled valiantly.

Elliot Dunkin (18 disposals and seven rebound 50s) worked hard to bring the ball out of South's defence, while Sam Skinner propped up and undermanned backline with his aerial strength.

Will Splann impressed on debut for the Panthers against his former side, matching up on Beau Thomas and keeping the big man largely subdued in the one-on-one contests

Liam Fitt started on fire with the first two goals but was rarely sighted thereafter as the Panthers' forward forays dried up in the second half.

Norwood 8.20 (68) def. by Adelaide Crows 14.5 (89)

Adelaide held off a wasteful Norwood outfit to record a 21-point victory in blustery conditions at Port Lincoln's Centenray Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The annual contest played in Norwood's regional zone was somewhat marred by a vicious wind favouring the southern end, with 40 of the game's 47 scoring shots going with the breeze.

Despite earning an incredible 21 more inside 50s and nine more scoring shots across the afternoon, Norwood frittered away countless chances in front of goal with the breeze, while Adelaide were ultra-efficient when going inside 50.

Norwood kicked 6.19 with the wind opposed to Adelaide's 11.4, which proved too much of an obstacle for the Redlegs to overcome.

The severe gap in class with ball in hand was the telling factor, with Norwood more than holding their own at the contest and with their defensive work.

This was best exemplified by the Crows' prime movers through the middle, with Lachie Murphy (27 touches and two goals) and Harry Schoenberg (23 disposals and nine clearances) doing much of the damage at the stoppages.

Lachie McAndrew (49 hit-outs and four clearances) was superb against undersized makeshift ruckman Finn Heard, with his tapwork giving the Crows' mids the first look all afternoon.

Chayce Jones (25 disposals and 10 rebound 50s) was stationed as the loose man in defence when kicking against the breeze and had a massive impact with his ability to cut off countless Norwood attacks.

Lachie Sholl (28 disposals) racked up plenty of the ball on the wing and was instrumental in the Crows' ball movement, while Billy Dowling (20 touches) spent most of the day on the other wing and had Declan Hamilton's measure.

Jack Madgen (20 disposals and nine rebound 50s) fought strongly against Jackson Callow in the one-on-one duels, while Stephen Tahana was solid on Tristan Binder and Harry Boyle had some big moments in defence.

Charlie Edwards (15 possessions and five rebound 50s) kept Jack Saunders out of the game, while Hugh Bond (15 touches) largely had Izak Twelftree under control.

Chris Burgess and Luke Pedlar competed fiercely in attack to finish with four goals each, while Blake Drury got better as the game wore on to boot three majors.

Having done a lot right on the day, Norwood had no shortage of contributors who put in good showings across all areas of the ground.

Nik Rokahr (27 disposals and six clearances) led the way again through the midfield to continue his fine start to the year, while captain Jacob Kennerley (16 disposals and six inside 50s) and Mitch O'Neill (17 disposals and five clearances) also battled strongly in the engine room.

Pierce Seymour (19 disposals and 10 marks) was impassable with his intercept work to keep the ball locked in Norwood's forward half, while Ethan Warburton negated Tyler Welsh, and Alastair Lord blanketed young Crow Ned Atkinson.

Tristan Binder (2.3) threatened to tear the game apart in the last quarter but missed some crucial chances, while Jacob Newton (three goals) showed his smarts and skills around goals.

Sturt 10.13 (73) def. Glenelg 9.11 (65)

Sturt maintained their unbeaten start to the 2025 campaign with a hard-fought eight-point victory over reigning premier Glenelg at Unley Oval on Sunday.

A tough contest between two of the benchmark teams of the competition, the game proved an arm-wrestle as neither side was able to gain the ascendancy for any great length of time.

The lead never extended beyond 18 points for either team as they both posed serious challenges to their opponent throughout the game and responded accordingly.

In the end, Sturt's slight edge in the midfield battle and defensive superiority got them over the line, as the Bays were held to their lowest score since Round 18 last season.

After being heavily tagged against West Adelaide last week, Magarey Medallist Will Snelling enjoyed far more freedom against the Bays and picked up 29 disposals and 11 clearances in a typically classy performance.

Tom Lewis (30 disposals, 14 tackles and a goal) was relentless at the stoppages and continues to fill the void left by injured skipper James Battersby with his toughness and tenacity.

Ex-Docker Mitch Crowden (17 disposals and four clearances) was a solid contributor, while Amos Doyle (26 hit-outs) had the better of the ruck battle.

Will Coomblas (15 disposals and six marks) played a crucial role in keeping Glenelg matchwinner Lachie Hosie quiet for most of the day, while Casey Voss (eight rebound 50s) provided plenty of drive from defence.

Tom Emmett (two goals) was a constant threat up front to finish as the Blues' only multiple-goal scorer.

Although ultimately falling short, Glenelg arguably had the best player on the ground in Matthew Allen, who amassed 23 disposals, nine marks, four clearances and three goals in a standout performance for the Bays both through the midfield and up forward.

Jarryd Lyons (21 disposals and five clearances) and brother Corey (18 touches and five inside 50s) were productive in the Glenelg midfield and were among the Tigers' best.

Max Proud (21 disposals and nine marks) was resolute in defence and halted several Sturt attacks, while Oscar Adams did a superb job in negating Connor McFadyen.

Former Crow Patrick Parnell (14 disposals and five rebound 50s) was solid in his return from injury, while Brad McCarthy locked down on Sturt small forward Josh Hone with great effect.

After being well held by Coomblas for most of the day, Lachie Hosie came alive in the last quarter to boot two quick goals and finish with three majors.

North Adelaide 7.16 (58) def. by West Adelaide 10.11 (71)

West Adelaide showed enormous grit and determination to overcome a spate of injuries and secure their first win of 2025 against North Adelaide at Prospect on Sunday.

The 13-point victory lifted the Bloods off the bottom of the ladder as they atoned for a poor performance against Sturt at Unley the previous week.

Injuries to key players Sam Frost, Tom Morrish and Lachie Squire left the visitors with just one rotation for the entire last quarter, while Kobe Ryan and Ned Stevens were forced to play on with injuries of their own.

West stunned their hosts with the five unanswered goals in the first quarter to take control of the contest, and while North fought back to level the scores early in the last, it was the Bloods who finished full of running.

Kobe Ryan exemplified West Adelaide's fighting spirit, taking on extra responsibility following Frost's injury to finish with 24 disposals, six tackles and eight clearances, all after dislocating his shoulder early in the contest.

Perhaps most pleasingly for the Bloods was the brigade of younger players who stepped up to fill the breach left by Frost, with Cade Kennedy (20 disposals, 11 tackles and seven clearances) rising to the challenge along with Sam Burbridge and Cooper Patterson.

After being deployed on Will Snelling last week with terrific success, Lachie Squire was superb in tagging North gun Angus Schumacher before being sidelined with a leg laceration.

Liam Delahunty (18 disposals and five marks) was a pillar of strength in the key defensive post, while Hamish Ellem and Adam Bunworth won some big contests in defence.

Callum Park (21 touches and 11 rebound 50s) was assured with his exits from defence, while Tom Morrish was a key component in the backline before being struck down with an ankle injury.

Dylan McCormick (three goals) helped get the Bloods off to a flying start with three majors in the first term, while Joel Parker (two goals) seized his chance to kick a crucial late goal, and Ned Stevens was a positive addition to the team with two majors.

Frustratingly for the Roosters, it was many of the same names who were left to pick up the slack, particularly in the midfield, where the lack of depth proved telling.

Angus Schumacher (22 disposals, eight clearances and two goals) recovered from his tag to finish with a flurry as North's most dangerous midfield prospect.

Zavier Maher (21 disposals and eight clearances) fought hard in the engine room, while Dyson Hilder (20 disposals, 25 hit-outs and seven clearances) loomed large after moving into the ruck.

Captain Alex Spina (20 touches and six rebound 50s) worked overtime to repel the ball from defence, while Reed van Huisstede locked down superbly on Tom Scully, and Kye Pfrengle blanketed marquee West recruit Harvey Griffiths.

Frank Szekely (three goals) again looked the most likely in the Roosters forward line and was a constant threat with his speed and crumbing ability at ground level.