ROUND 12 of the SANFLW delivers a Super Saturday at Richmond Oval, with all four matches played back-to-back as the competition enters its third last home-and-away round. Norwood sits at the top of the ladder for the first time this season after its 30-point win over Central District, while Woodville-West Torrens and Sturt played out their second draw of the season in a tense affair at Thomas Farms.

North Adelaide’s third consecutive win has the Roosters firmly in the top four conversation, and South Adelaide’s 74-point demolition of Glenelg steadied the ship for the reigning premiers. With just three rounds remaining before finals, every game carries enormous weight.

ROUND 12 FIXTURE:

Glenelg vs. North Adelaide | Richmond Oval, Saturday July 25, 10:30am
Norwood vs. Sturt | Richmond Oval, Saturday July 25, 12:40pm
Woodville-West Torrens vs. South Adelaide | Richmond Oval, Saturday July 25, 2:50pm
West Adelaide vs. Central District | Richmond Oval, Saturday July 25, 5:00pm

SEASON SO FAR

Glenelg (1-9-1) was put to the sword by South Adelaide last round, going down by 74 points at Magain Stadium. Cassie McWilliam was a shining light with two goals, 17 disposals, 25 hitouts and seven tackles, while Georgie Fielder (25 disposals, six tackles) and Tori Evans (19 disposals, six marks) battled hard in a difficult afternoon. The result was also the first game under interim coach Mick Axon, with Radan having stepped down from the role a fortnight ago.

North Adelaide (6-5) notched its third consecutive win last round, defeating West Adelaide by 16 points at Richmond Oval. Amber Ward was outstanding with 15 disposals, three goals and seven marks, Julia Clark (18 disposals, nine clearances), Ella Metcalfe (17 disposals, five marks) and Polly Turner (16 disposals, eight tackles, one goal) all excellent. The Roosters are in the form of their season at exactly the right time.

CHANGES

Glenelg make five changes, welcoming back Lucy Armitage, Sophie Thomas, Chante Waters, Isla Wiencke and Matilda Wilmore. Eloise Mackereth and Madelyn Zacher are omitted, while Astrid Gooley, Deni Varnhagen and Ava Walter are all injured.

North Adelaide make three changes, with Keira Copeland, Sasha Hardin and Shannon Thompson coming into the side. Clark is managed as the only confirmed out.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

For Glenelg, Fielder and Evans are the Academy names to watch. Fielder’s 25-disposal effort last round was her best of the season, and her ability to drive the ball from the centre square makes her the Bays’ most important player. Evans continues to build a compelling case from half-back with her explosive speed and composure.

For North Adelaide, Turner’s form over the past three rounds has been exceptional and she arrives at Richmond Oval as one of the competition’s most in-form players. Caitlin Hardin remains a consistent contributor, while Maya Fuller continues to develop as one to watch off the half-back flank and wing rotation.

PREDICTION

North Adelaide is in the form of its season and has the list depth to absorb Clark’s absence. Glenelg under Axon will be competitive and the returns of Wiencke and Armitage help, but the Roosters’ current momentum and the class of Ward, Turner and Clark’s replacements should be too strong. North Adelaide to make it four in a row.

SEASON SO FAR

Norwood (8-3) sits at the top of the ladder for the first time this season after a 30-point win over Central District at Coopers Stadium. Jade Halfpenny was in a league of her own with 32 disposals, nine marks, eight clearances, six tackles and five inside 50s, while Lani Cocks (20 disposals, five tackles), Emily Bartsch (21 disposals, six marks) and Amy Gaedtke (26 hitouts, five marks) were also among the best. The Redlegs have now won four consecutive games.

Sturt (5-3-3) drew with Woodville-West Torrens for the second time this season in a tense affair at Thomas Farms Oval. Isobel Kuiper was superb with 20 disposals, 12 tackles and six clearances, while Alex Pearce (27 hitouts, eight tackles), Lily Whiteman (seven tackles, five marks) and Hannah Prenzler (14 disposals, five rebound 50s) were all solid. The draw keeps Sturt in the finals picture but leaves them needing wins in the final two rounds.

CHANGES

Norwood make three inclusions with Nicola Burns, Emma Clark and Stephanie Simmonds coming into the side, with no confirmed outs. The core that has driven the four-game winning streak – Halfpenny, Cocks, Ashley Baker, Ella Anderson and Charlee Brooksby – remains intact.

Sturt lose Alexandra Ballard (unavailable) and welcome back Amy Brooks-Birve, Sienna Fox, Aaliyah Fox and Saskia Kellaway.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

Cocks is having a ripping bottom-age season and arrives at Richmond Oval in career-best form – her All-Australian selection at the national championships a fitting recognition of a player who has been one of the competition’s standouts all year. Her ability to win the ball from congestion, create scoring opportunities and apply defensive pressure simultaneously makes her one of the more complete players in the competition. Elke Cameron at half-forward adds further top-age quality, while Brooksby – all class on the wing – is another Academy name worth watching.

For Sturt, Madeline Nuss on the half-forward line is the name to watch. Her All-Australian selection at the national championships recognised a player who has been one of the Double Blues’ most consistent performers all season, and her scoring touch and ability to find the ball in traffic make her a compelling prospect. Whiteman’s move back into the on-ball role after playing wing at the national championships is a fascinating development – her seven-tackle, five-mark effort last round showed her two-way capacity, and the new role could further enhance her draft case.

PREDICTION

Norwood is the competition’s form team and carries the confidence of four straight wins. Sturt’s finals hopes depend heavily on results this week, and Kuiper’s class makes the Double Blues dangerous regardless of the opposition. But the Redlegs’ depth and Halfpenny’s dominance through the midfield should be enough to see them home. Norwood to make it five in a row.

SEASON SO FAR

Woodville-West Torrens (7-2-2) drew with Sturt for the second time this season in a tense affair at Thomas Farms Oval. Maia Freemantle was everywhere with 16 disposals, 12 tackles and nine clearances, while Leah Cutting (28 hitouts), Lucy Moore (seven tackles, four clearances) and Tahlita Buethke (14 disposals, five clearances) were among the best. The Eagles remain in first place on percentage but have now drawn three games this season.

South Adelaide (6-5) bounced back from three consecutive losses with a 74-point demolition of Glenelg at Magain Stadium. AFL U18s All-Australian Emma Charlton was outstanding with 32 disposals, nine clearances, eight tackles and seven inside 50s, while Melissa Anderson (25 disposals, 11 marks, eight inside 50s), Jessica Chyer (12 tackles) and Hope Taylor (three goals) were all instrumental. The win was a timely reminder of the Panthers’ class.

CHANGES

Woodville-West Torrens make four inclusions with Erini Gikas, Asha Gooley, Kayla Ilett and Chanel Rugari coming in, with Zahlia Niemann the only out.

South Adelaide lose Layla Vizgaudis (hand), Doreena Hansen (arm) and Nicole Campbell (concussion) in a significant triple blow to their depth. However in some great news, the terribly unlucky Shae Archbold – who tore her ACL late in last year’s preliminary final and therefore missed the premiership win – returns, while Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap, Caitlin Couch, Lily Dunstall-Bruce, Chanel May and Zali Trenorden all come into the extended squad.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

Moore’s All-Australian selection at the national championships was well earned, and her consistency through the midfield makes her one of the most productive young players in the competition. Freemantle’s 12-tackle, nine-clearance effort last round was the kind of all-round line that cements a player’s standing. Ruby Lynch provides dynamic presence all around the ground, while Faulkner’s footy smarts remain a constant threat.

For South Adelaide, the loss of Vizgaudis to a hand injury is a significant blow to the Panthers’ draft showcase. Charlton carries the flag as the competition’s premier prospect – her All-Australian selection at the national championships, combined with her Round 11 dominance, makes her the player to watch. Taylor up forward and Marley Tape in defence round out South’s Academy contingent.

PREDICTION

This is the match of the round. Woodville-West Torrens needs a win to keep pace with Norwood at the top, while South Adelaide – missing Vizgaudis – faces a genuine test of its depth. The Panthers’ recent form and Charlton’s class make them competitive, but the Eagles at home with O’Neill and the midfield engine of Buethke, Moore and Freemantle should have enough. Woodville-West Torrens by two goals.

SEASON SO FAR

West Adelaide (3-7-1) went down to North Adelaide by 16 points last round, with Zoe Venning (30 disposals, seven marks, six clearances, five tackles), Emily Mableson (24 disposals, 11 tackles, seven clearances) and Iilish Ross (23 disposals, six clearances, one goal) all excellent in defeat. The Bloods’ finals hopes are now all but extinguished.

Central District (4-6-1) suffered its first loss in four games, going down to Norwood by 30 points at Coopers Stadium. Miyu Endersby was outstanding with 38 hitouts, 16 disposals and six tackles, while Shelby Smith (10 tackles), Shannon Murphy (24 disposals, six marks) and Olivia Leslie (15 disposals, five marks) were among the best in defeat. The Bulldogs remain in the finals hunt but need results to go their way.

CHANGES

West Adelaide welcome back Sarah Deed, Tiana Fernandez, Summer Malone and Grace Sim, with Sienna Aldridge, Sarah Campbell, Abbie Foster and Zara Downes the outs. Jemma Ellis comes into the centre alongside Venning and Olivia Smith.

Central District lose Leslie, Caitlen Teague, Ella Randall and Murphy, with Izabella Nisbet, Kirra Tonkin, Charlotte White and Dakota Williams coming into the side. Endersby shifts to half-back in a notable structural change, with White taking on the primary ruck duties.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

Mableson is set to be the key for West Adelaide. The defender/midfielder won South Australia’s MVP at the national championships and is the most technically polished prospect in the 2026 class – her 24-disposal, 11-tackle, seven-clearance effort last round showed the two-way impact that sets her apart. Chelsea Newitt on the half-forward line provides further top-age interest.

For Central District, Endersby’s shift to half-back is not unfamiliar territory – she has played in defence before and brings the same athleticism and reading of the game to the role. Demi Holloway in the forward half adds another Academy name to watch, while Jyearah Newchurch provides further depth on the half-forward line. Nisbet’s return will help the midfield and is one to watch over the next couple of years.

PREDICTION

Both sides have had their finals hopes significantly dented, but pride and positioning are still on the line. West Adelaide looked good for the most part against North Adelaide and arguably could be favourites, but Central still has the slightest chance of making finals if it wins the remaining three games and results go their way so with more on the line, you lean towards the Dogs.