WEST Adelaide is another side with a SANFLW head coaching change in 2026 with Shane Pill taking over the reigns from Bruce Dawes. The Bloods are coming off another frustrating season where they missed out on finals, and will be hoping to make the leap into the top four this year.

LAST SEASON

West Adelaide had a tough 2025, failing to replicate the form that had taken them to finals contention in previous seasons and finishing outside the top four. The Bloods struggled for consistency across the year, though flashes of individual brilliance from their young core showed there is a foundation to build on.

2026 FIXTURE:

Round 1: vs. Glenelg | April 18 @ Magain Stadium
Round 2: vs. Woodville-West Torrens | April 25 @ Richmond Oval
Round 3: vs. Sturt | May 2 @ Coopers Stadium*
Round 4: vs. Norwood | May 9 @ X Convenience Oval
Round 5: vs. South Adelaide | May 23 @ Richmond Oval
Round 6: vs. Glenelg | May 30 @ Thomas Farms Oval*
Round 7: vs. North Adelaide | June 6 @ Richmond Oval
Round 8: vs. Woodville-West Torrens | June 20 @ Revo Fitness Oval*
Round 9: vs. Central District | June 27 @ X Convenience Oval
Round 10: vs. Sturt | July 4 @ Stratarama Stadium*
Round 11: vs. North Adelaide | July 18 @ TBC
Round 12: vs. Central District | July 25 @ Richmond Oval*
Round 13: vs. Norwood | August 1 @ Richmond Oval
Round 14: vs. South Adelaide | August 8 @ Magain Stadium

* Denotes full-league four-game day at one venue

CHANGES

The Bloods lost a pair of young guns in Lucy Waye and Emma Kilpatrick to the AFLW, with the latter heading to Geelong mid-season and the former departing to Adelaide though the AFLW Draft. Star midfielder Hannah Button and experienced forward Nicole Hooper have both retired.

In a trio of positive additions, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Jemima Woods and Adrienne Davies have all crossed to Richmond Oval to add experience to the front half of the ground. Thompson brings years of AFLW experience with the Crows, Woods has AFLW experience across two clubs and Davies has been a key player at Norwood. They have also brought in former Eagle Sinead Saunders who made her SANFLW debut last season, amongst some talented local players.

DRAFT WATCH

It is impossible to look past National Academy member Emily Mableson as the Bloods’ main one to watch in 2026. The Rolls Royce of the AFLW Draft class, Mableson is such a smooth mover and great decision-maker that she has become renowned for her work off half-back. She is equally impressive around the ball and showed that last season when rotating between defence and on-ball.

Along with Mableson, Chelsea Newitt is another top-ager to keep an eye on, having gained League experience in the form of a dozen games last year, and is part of the South Australian summer squad. While one for 2027, Bridget Deed won her side’s Emerging Talent award in the development side and is now set to play a bigger role in the senior team this season.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Without a doubt the first name that comes to mind is reigning SANFLW League Best and Fairest winner, Zoe Venning. The talented ball-winner continues to be a remarkably consistent player, and without Button in the team, will be even more crucial. Add in Ruby Ballard and Jess Macolino and there’s a fair bit of talent around the ball.

Intercept defender Madison Russell has been a key part of the club’s on-field work and has captained the team exceptionally well, while Georgie Pater and a fingers crossed injury-free season out of Iilish Ross make the Bloods a really formidable rebounding side. There’s talent that has been unlucky to miss out on the draft as well in the form of Steph Tredwell and Chloe Tonkin who can provide aerial impact and hit the scoreboard.

PREDICTION

West Adelaide will have plenty of change on-field and off-field compared to last season, and it will no doubt be a competitive year across the board for the SANFLW competition. If the Bloods can get Ross fit and firing and have their best side out on the part, there is enough talent there to at least worry some of the other teams.