NORTH ADELAIDE has powered into the SANFLW Preliminary Final, shaking off a determined first-quarter Sturt challenge to record a 9.6 (60) to 3.5 (23) First Semi-Final victory at Revo Fitness Oval.

The Roosters had beaten the Double Blues by 28 points only a week earlier, but initially found a Sturt side with no intention of allowing another straightforward result. Scores were level at 3.1 (19) apiece at quarter time, before North Adelaide’s decisive second term and a ruthless second-half defensive effort put the elimination final beyond doubt.

North Adelaide captain Amber Ward set the tone with the opening goal, while Heidi Berkin and Polly Turner helped establish an early advantage. Sturt answered emphatically through Madeline Nuss, Sienna Fox and skipper Alexandra Ballard, with the sides unable to be split at the first break.

It was the last time the Double Blues would truly trouble the scoreboard. Ward opened the second term before Turner added her second, then Chloe Nettle took a strong mark and converted. Aprille Crooks capped the four-goal quarter with a running major, and the Roosters had transformed a level contest into a 26-point half-time lead.

The margin was built less through an overwhelming advantage at stoppages than in the contest’s key moments. Sturt won 27 clearances to 26, laid 75 tackles to 66 and had more marks, but North Adelaide’s 11 contested marks to one told the story of its aerial authority. The Roosters also generated 33 inside 50s to 22, repeatedly turning their forward-half territory into scoreboard pressure.

Sturt was restricted to only four behinds across the second half as the Roosters’ defence stood firm. Ward’s third goal was the only major of a tight third term, stretching the margin to 29 points, before her fourth in the final quarter completed a captain’s performance which supplied the cleanest point of difference between the sides.

Crooks was the leading ball-winner with 20 disposals, five tackles, five clearances, four inside 50s and a goal. Turner was influential again with 19 disposals, six marks and 2.2, while Ella Metcalfe provided 17 disposals and three inside 50s. Berkin’s 16 disposals, six tackles and goal added to the Roosters’ spread, with Ward making the most of her 10 touches to kick four majors.

For Sturt, Isobel Kuiper was unrelenting with 15 disposals and 12 tackles. Georgia Swan and Sophie Thredgold each won six clearances, while Isabella Drew took six marks from 13 disposals. The Double Blues battled throughout but could not turn their pressure and stoppage work into sufficient forward opportunities.

North Adelaide now advances to a Preliminary Final against Norwood, while Sturt’s 2026 SANFLW campaign comes to a close. It reversed the result of 12 months ago when the Double Blues defeated the Roosters to reach the penultimate week of the season.

NORTH ADELAIDE 3.1 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 9.6 (60)
STURT 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 3.5 (23)

GOALS:
North Adelaide: A. Ward 4, P. Turner 2, H. Berkin, A. Crooks, C. Nettle
Sturt: A. Ballard, S. Fox, M. Nuss

RMC BEST:
North Adelaide: A. Crooks, P. Turner, A. Ward, E. Metcalfe, H. Berkin
Sturt: I. Kuiper, G. Swan, S. Thredgold, I. Drew, H. Prenzler