ONE final Grand Final spot remains, with Norwood and North Adelaide meeting at Coopers Stadium for the right to face Woodville-West Torrens in the 2026 SANFLW premiership decider. The Redlegs nearly wiped out a 22-point deficit in their Second Semi Final loss to the Eagles, while the Roosters extended their winning streak to six with a powerful 37-point elimination of Sturt. It shapes as a battle between Norwood’s deep midfield and attacking spread, and a North Adelaide side whose aerial strength and scoring efficiency have become the defining features of its late-season surge.

SANFLW PRELIMINARY FINAL FIXTURE:

Norwood vs. North Adelaide | Coopers Stadium, Sunday August 23, 12:30pm

SEASON SO FAR

Norwood (9-5-1) was edged out by Woodville-West Torrens in the Second Semi-Final, going down by 15 points after reducing a 22-point deficit to two in the final term. Jade Halfpenny fought tirelessly with 18 disposals, eight tackles and eight clearances, while Lani Cocks (18 disposals, seven tackles), Mia Wood (18 disposals, six marks) and Coby Morgan (17 disposals) all battled hard. Ashley Baker also kicked a crucial final-quarter goal in her 50th SANFLW game, but the Redlegs could not quite complete the comeback.

North Adelaide (10-5) powered into the preliminary final with a 37-point win over Sturt. Amber Ward kicked four goals from 10 disposals, while Aprille Crooks was outstanding with 20 disposals, five tackles, five clearances, four inside 50s and a goal. Polly Turner (19 disposals, six marks, two goals, two behinds), Ella Metcalfe (17 disposals, three inside 50s) and Heidi Berkin (16 disposals, six tackles, one goal) were all influential. The Roosters turned a level quarter-time score into a 37-point win through aerial authority, winning contested marks 11-1 and inside 50s 33-22.

CHANGES

Norwood welcomes back Emma Clark, Sophie Palmer and Mykaela Walker, with no confirmed outs.

North Adelaide goes in unchanged after its impressive semi-final win over Sturt, retaining the side and is now gunning for a seventh consecutive victory.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

Cocks is the obvious headline act for Norwood. Her All-Australian national championships campaign has been complemented by a prolific SANFLW season, and her ability to impact the contest at ground level or hit the scoreboard gives the Redlegs a genuine match-winner. Elke Cameron provides speed, creativity and scoreboard impact, while Kate Alexander has flourished in a forward-ruck role. Double bottom-agers Ella Anderson in defence and Wood on the wing round out a strong State Academy group.

Turner is in the form of her season and the top-30 candidate looms as a central threat again after 19 disposals, six marks, two goals and two behinds in the First Semi Final. Caitlin Hardin offers consistency and composure through the midfield, while Maya Fuller brings running power and versatility as North Adelaide’s other State Academy names to follow. Watch out for the ever-improving Chloe Nettle up forward, while over-ager Krystal Thompson has had a breakout SANFLW debut season with the basketballer earning a State Draft Combine invite.

PREDICTION

Norwood will draw confidence from its late surge against Woodville-West Torrens and holds the home-ground advantage, but North Adelaide is the team with the sharper form line. The Roosters have won six consecutive matches, are dominating the air and have multiple avenues to goal through Ward, Turner, Berkin and Chloe Nettle. It should be a tight contest, but North Adelaide to book its place in the Grand Final by a couple of goals.