ROUND 10 of the SANFLW delivers a Super Saturday of action, with all four matches taking place back-to-back at Stratarama Stadium. The headline is the return of the State Academy stars from the AFLW Under 18 Championships, injecting a wave of elite talent back into club line-ups across the board.

Norwood inflicted Woodville-West Torrens’ first defeat of the season last week, blowing the minor premiership race wide open, while Sturt leapfrogged South Adelaide into second place. With finals spots on the line and draft prospects back on the park, it promises to be a defining weekend of football.

ROUND 10 FIXTURE:

Sturt vs. West Adelaide | Stratarama Stadium, Saturday July 4, 10:30am
Woodville-West Torrens vs. North Adelaide | Stratarama Stadium, Saturday July 4, 12:40pm
South Adelaide vs. Central District | Stratarama Stadium, Saturday July 4, 2:50pm
Glenelg vs. Norwood | Stratarama Stadium, Saturday July 4, 5:00pm

SEASON SO FAR

Sturt (5-2-2) leapfrogged South Adelaide into second position on the ladder after thumping the wayward Panthers by 33 points last week. Isobel Kuiper was enormous with 22 disposals, nine clearances, nine tackles and five inside-50s, while skipper Alex Ballard booted three goals. It was the Double Blues’ third successive win and broke a string of seven straight defeats to their bogey side.

West Adelaide (2-6-1) was competitive against Central District but ultimately fell short by 13 points at X Convenience Oval. Iilish Ross (31 disposals, 12 clearances) and Zoe Venning (28 disposals, eight clearances) were outstanding in the middle, and the Bloods won the clearance count 38-23, but they couldn’t match the Bulldogs’ efficiency forward of centre.

CHANGES

Sturt’s inclusions are headlined by the return of State Academy talents Madeline Nuss and Lily Whiteman, adding significant class and forward craft back into the line-up. Amy Brooks-Birve and Sienna Fox also come into the side, with Millie McCarthy the only confirmed out due to an ankle injury.

West Adelaide welcomes back its top draft prospect Emily Mableson from South Australian duties, alongside Sarah Deed and Chelsea Newitt in what is a massive boost to their forward half. Sienna Aldridge is also included, while Stevie-Lee Thompson, Nicola Biagi, Grace Sim and Ava Barton are out.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

For Sturt, the return of Nuss and Whiteman adds immediate firepower. Nuss has been a revelation in her debut SANFLW season with her eye for goal and creative forward craft, and her performance upon returning from the national carnival will be worth monitoring. Whiteman provides class and composure, while Skout Young remains a top-age prospect to watch through the midfield and half-forward lines.

Mableson’s return in massive for West Adelaide. The defender/midfielder is the most technically polished prospect in the 2026 class, and her ability to break lines and drive transition will be crucial against Sturt’s structured defence. Deed’s return adds X-factor up forward, and Newitt continues to build her case as a hard-working top-ager capable of hitting the scoreboard.

PREDICTION

Sturt’s form line is as good as anyone’s in the competition right now, and the return of Nuss and Whiteman only makes them more dangerous. West Adelaide’s midfield of Ross, Venning, and now Mableson is formidable, but the Double Blues’ depth and defensive structure should be enough to secure their fourth straight win. Sturt by three goals.

SEASON SO FAR

Woodville-West Torrens (7-1-1) suffered its first defeat of the season in Round 9, going down to Norwood by 11 points at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval. The week was further overshadowed by the news that Alice Tentye – the Eagles’ midfield heartbeat and arguably the competition’s best player this season – has signed with the Adelaide Crows, a significant mid-season blow that adds a bittersweet note to the remainder of the campaign. Tahlita Buethke tried her best to fill the breach last week with 32 touches, but the Eagles were held goalless in the second half. They will be eager to bounce back immediately.

North Adelaide (4-5) crept to within one win of the top four with a convincing 23-point victory over Glenelg. Amber Ward set the tone with two second-quarter goals, while Julia Clark (20 disposals, seven tackles) and Aprille Crooks (19 disposals, 10 tackles) were busy. The Roosters dominated inside-50s and the tackle count, showing a ferocity that will serve them well against the ladder leaders.

CHANGES

Woodville-West Torrens welcomes back a host of elite young talent from State duties, with Julia Faulkner, Maia Freemantle, Ruby Lynch and Lucy Moore all returning to the squad alongside Chanel Rugari. The outs are significant, however, with star ruck Leah Cutting rested and Popi Gikas unavailable.

North Adelaide is similarly bolstered by returning Academy players, with Caitlin Hardin and Polly Turner back in the side. Maya Fuller, Zara Molloy and Jamie Parish also come in, while Shannon Thompson (unavailable), Sasha Hardin (omitted) and Sophie Armitstead (unavailable) are the outs.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

The Eagles’ Academy quartet of Faulkner, Freemantle, Lynch and Moore transforms their side. Moore is one of the most productive young midfielders in the state, while Faulkner’s footy smarts and lead-up work make her a constant threat. Freemantle continues to build a compelling case as the competition’s top bottom-ager, and Lynch provides dynamic on-ball presence.

For North Adelaide, Turner’s return is massive. The dual-position top-ager is a legitimate top 30 candidate whose contested marking ability makes her one of the most distinctive prospects in the 2026 class. Hardin will relish the midfield battle against the Eagles’ young guns, bringing her trademark work rate and contested ability back to the Roosters’ engine room.

PREDICTION

The Eagles will be stinging from their first loss, and the return of their elite Academy quartet makes them an incredibly daunting prospect. North Adelaide’s pressure game was excellent last week, and Turner provides a genuine target, but Woodville-West Torrens’ depth and midfield class should see them return to the winners’ list. Eagles by 15 points.

SEASON SO FAR

South Adelaide (5-4) slipped to fourth on the ladder after a difficult afternoon against Sturt, managing just 1.8 in a 33-point defeat. Star ruck Soriah Moon was lion-hearted with 20 possessions, 48 hitouts, 10 clearances and eight tackles, but the Panthers struggled for efficiency forward of centre and will be desperate to respond.

Central District (3-5-1) kept its finals hopes alive with a gritty 13-point triumph against West Adelaide. Tesharna Maher nailed three majors, while youngster Izabella Nisbet (19 disposals, nine tackles) and veteran Shelby Smith (19 disposals, seven tackles) were active. The Bulldogs have now won two straight and are building momentum at the right time of the year.

CHANGES

South Adelaide has made wholesale changes, headlined by the return of their premier draft prospects Emma Charlton and Layla Vizgaudis. Emily Brockhurst, Tiana Lush, Seraphina Moon, Nikki Nield, bottom-age talent Marley Tape and Zali Trenorden also come into the squad. Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap (concussion) and Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap (unavailable) make way alongside Chloe Meyers, Kate Chapman and Samantha Pratt (all omitted).

Central District welcomes back National Academy ruck Miyu Endersby and impressive young defender Olivia Leslie from State duties, strengthening their structure at both ends of the ground. No outs have been confirmed.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

South Adelaide’s draft showcase returns with Vizgaudis and Charlton back in the midfield. Vizgaudis is a composed, athletic ball-winner who can dominate clearances, while Charlton’s engine and contested craft make her one of the safest bets in the 2026 class. Tape also returns to provide some composure to the backline again.

For Central District, Endersby is the headline name. The National Academy ruck is one of the most coveted prospects in the 2026 class, and her battle with Moon will be worth the price of admission alone. Leslie has been exceptional in her debut season, providing run and intercept marking from the back half as a genuine prospect from the 2027 crop.

PREDICTION

Central District is in good form, and Endersby’s return helps combat Moon’s dominance. However, South Adelaide welcoming back Vizgaudis and Charlton fundamentally changes their midfield dynamic. The Panthers will be desperate to bounce back from last week’s heavy defeat, and their elite talent should prove too much for the Bulldogs. South Adelaide in a tight one.

SEASON SO FAR

Glenelg (1-7-1) went down to North Adelaide by 23 points last week, struggling to convert their chances. Co-captain Asha Dufour racked up 28 possessions and 10 clearances, while Cassie McWilliam kicked a miracle bicycle goal, but the Bays were overwhelmed by the Roosters’ pressure and inside-50 dominance.

Norwood (6-3) produced the result of the season so far, inflicting Woodville-West Torrens’ first defeat with an 11-point win to move up to third spot on the ladder. Sophie Arkun kicked four second-half goals, while Jade Halfpenny (27 disposals, eight clearances), Mia Wood (25 disposals, six clearances) and Coby Morgan (22 disposals, four clearances) were prolific. The Redlegs are flying and sit comfortably in the top four.

CHANGES

Glenelg’s biggest news is an out that won’t appear on the teamsheet: star forward Kiana Lee has signed with South Fremantle, a massive blow to their attacking structure. The Bays do welcome back Tori Evans, Astrid Gooley, Ellie Kellock and Deni Varnhagen, while Maya Vonarx, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Kiahni Russell and Ada-Mae Koch are out.

Norwood brings back Kate Alexander, Sarah Branford, Isabella Calvanese, Elke Cameron and Lani Cocks in a significant boost to their depth and top-end talent. Nicola Burns and Amy Gaedtke miss through injury.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

For Glenelg, the loss of Lee places even more responsibility on Eloise Mackereth and Isla Wiencke. Wiencke has been impressive through the middle all season, while Evans returns to provide her trademark explosive speed and rebounding drive from half-back.

Norwood welcomes back Cocks, who has been one of the competition’s standout performers this season. Her class and burst from congestion make her a game-changer, and she will relish the opportunity to rove to Alexander, who also returns to the side. Cameron adds further top-age quality to a Redlegs squad brimming with confidence.

PREDICTION

Norwood is coming off the win of the season and welcomes back some of its best young talent. Glenelg will fight hard, as they always do, and the return of Kellock and Varnhagen helps their experience levels, but the loss of Lee is significant. The Redlegs have too much momentum and class. Norwood should get it done.