CENTRAL District put the finishing touches on a dominant regular season with a crushing 57-point victory over North Adelaide at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, securing top spot on the ladder and a home semi-final in the process.

After a tight opening term – the Bulldogs led by just a point at the first break when Sienna Antony kicked the opener in the ninth minute before Charlotte Thompson levelled it for the Roosters minutes later – Central District were simply irresistible from there, kicking 8.8 (56) to 0.0 (0) across the final three quarters. The final margin of 9.9 (63) to 1.0 (6) tells everything about how comprehensively they controlled the contest, with an additional 45 disposals, 16 clearances, 16 inside 50s and 16 tackles across the game.

Antony led the way with 30 disposals, three marks, 10 tackles, four clearances and two goals in a dominant showing through the midfield. Sophie Bevis continued her outstanding season with seven clearances from 21 disposals alongside a goal, while Tarly Borgas was a constant threat inside 50 finishing with 18 disposals and a major. Jessica Du Randt was the sharpest of the Bulldogs’ forwards, booting two goals from 12 disposals to further underline Central District’s depth across all lines.

For North Adelaide, Under 16s All-Australian Isabella Beaumont was competitive in a tough afternoon, taking two contested marks among her three grabs from 15 disposals. Chloe Spanagel was one of the Roosters’ most committed players, finishing with five marks and eight tackles alongside six rebound 50s, while Ava Mooney showed real determination in defence with eight rebound 50s from 16 disposals. The result means the Roosters’ season is over, while the Bulldogs will host fourth-placed Sturt in the first of this weekend’s semi-finals.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Sturt served a timely reminder of its finals credentials with a dominant 92-point thrashing of Woodville-West Torrens, booting nine goals in a ruthless second half to run out 14.10 (94) to 0.2 (2) victors. Isabel Smart was everywhere with 21 disposals and six inside 50s, while Emily Duthy was enormous through the midfield with nine tackles and four clearances from 20 disposals. Miller Thompson was the most damaging forward on show, booting four goals from 19 disposals, while Edwina Thornquest chipped in with two majors. The result sets up a blockbuster semi-final against Central District.

South Adelaide accounted for Norwood 4.5 (29) to 0.3 (3) in what shapes as a preview of their semi-final rematch this weekend. The Panthers kicked three goals in the first term and led 4.2 to 0.2 at half-time, with just three combined behinds scored across the final two quarters as both defences dominated.

Zoe Flesfader was the standout of the entire round – 35 disposals, 10 marks, nine tackles, eight clearances and four rebound 50s in a performance that was hard to top – while Lily Dunstall-Bruce complemented her beautifully with 25 disposals, five marks and eight rebound 50s. For Norwood, Molly Sennar (18 disposals, six tackles) and Emmerson Lihou (14 disposals, four clearances) were the pick of a side that will need to be much better this weekend to progress through to the grand final.

West Adelaide ended the regular season strongly, locking in sixth spot with a 6.11 (47) to 3.3 (21) win over Glenelg. The Bloods led narrowly at half-time before booting four goals in the third term to effectively seal it, with Glenelg kicking two late majors in a dead rubber. Mercy Walsh was outstanding with 22 disposals, 11 tackles, eight clearances, eight inside 50s and two goals, while Mary Rose Bahls-Kildea was damaging with five marks from 21 disposals. Annabella Walden showed her hardness with 11 tackles alongside a goal. For the Bays, Lily Jinks fought hard with ten tackles and six clearances from 18 disposals, and Maiya Foote racked up nine rebound 50s in defeat.

The 2026 AAMI Talent League Under 18 Girls finals series kicks off this weekend with Central District hosting Sturt and South Adelaide meeting Norwood, with the winners of each match advancing directly to the grand final the following week.