TWO contrasting semi-finals played out at X Convenience Oval on Saturday evening, with Central District surviving a Sturt comeback to advance by the narrowest possible margin, while Norwood overwhelmed South Adelaide to book its place in Sunday’s AAMI Talent League Grand Final.

CENTRAL DISTRICT 4.1 (25) def. STURT 3.6 (24)

Central District held on by the skin of its teeth as Sturt mounted a extraordinary final-term charge. The Double Blues kicked 1.3 in the last quarter – amongst an array of inside 50s – to fall a solitary point short of an upset on the Bulldogs’ homeground.

Sturt would have deservedly earned the win if the Double Blues got across the line however, given the they dominated almost every contested statistic across the game. The Double Blues finished with 17 more hitouts (44–27), seven more clearances (29–22) and a staggering 26 more inside 50s – 42 to Central District’s 16 – yet it was the Bulldogs who prevailed.

Sturt’s conversion was the story – nine scoring shots from 42 inside 50 entries compared to Central District’s five from just 16. The Bulldogs made almost every entry count; the Double Blues couldn’t find the same effectiveness in front of goal.

The performance that stood above everything else was Izabella Nisbet‘s. Fresh off being named South Australia’s Under 16 MVP and an All-Australian, the midfield gun was everywhere – finishing with 28 disposals, six marks, 11 tackles, nine clearances, three inside 50s and six rebound 50s in a display that covered every corner of the ground. Wherever the contest was, Nisbet was there.

Sienna Antony was equally relentless through the midfield recording 24 disposals, four marks (two contested), 12 tackles, four clearances and two rebound 50s, while Sophie Bevis continued her strong finals form with 20 disposals, three marks, four tackles and four clearances.

Up forward, Annelise Lovell did the damage that mattered most, kicking two goals from 12 disposals with five marks and four inside 50s, while Amalia Musolino was outstanding in defence with 14 rebound 50s from 17 disposals and five marks, a figure that underlines just how much work the Bulldogs’ backline had to do against Sturt’s relentless forward pressure.

For Sturt, the performance deserved a better result. Layla May was a wrecking ball through the middle – 15 disposals, three marks, 13 tackles and four clearances – and Aaliyah Fox was one of the most damaging players on the ground with 20 disposals, nine tackles, three clearances and eight inside 50s. Saskia Kellaway drove the ball forward consistently with eight clearances and three inside 50s from 18 disposals, while Isabel Smart and Emily Duthy provided important grunt through the midfield. The Double Blues will feel they left a grand final on the field — but that is the nature of the finals beast.

CENTRAL DISTRICT 1.0 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 (25)
STURT 1.2 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 3.6 (24)

GOALS:
Central District: T. Lord 2, A. Lovell 2
Sturt: J. Merrigan 2, I. Gray

RMC BEST:
Central District: I. Nisbet, S. Antony, A. Musolino, S. Bevis, A. Lovell
Sturt: L. May, A. Fox, S. Kellaway, I. Smart, E. Duthy

NORWOOD 10.7 (67) def. SOUTH ADELAIDE 3.2 (20)

If the first semi-final was a nail-biter, the second was anything but. Norwood produced a clinical, dominant performance to dismantle South Adelaide by 47 points, booking their place in Sunday’s grand final with a comprehensive display across all four quarters. The Redlegs booted 5.0 to 1.1 in the opening term to set up the win, then kicked the only four goals of the second half to secure safe passage into Sunday’s decider.

Mia Wood was the engine of the Norwood victory, her 23 disposals and 11 clearances a driving force through the midfield all day. Ella Anderson complemented her beautifully with 20 disposals and two clearances, while Della McCracken was damaging inside 50 with six entries and a goal from 16 disposals.

Lillian Thomas lead the way on the scoreboard with three goals from 10 touches, pairing well with Taylah Pearson (two goals and five marks from 14 disposals). Molly Sennar and Isla Wigzell were among those who also got on the board to underline the width of Norwood’s scoring threat.

South Adelaide fought hard but were simply outclassed on the night. Zoe Flesfader was the Panthers’ best and kept them competitive in patches. She had 24 disposals, two marks, six tackles, three clearances, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s alongside a goal.

Alexis Harvey brought intensity with 10 tackles from 15 disposals, Lily Dunstall-Bruce was tidy with 17 disposals and four rebound 50s, and Emmerson Warren took five marks, including two contested. However it was not enough to stem the Norwood tide. The Redlegs were the better team on the night and head into Sunday’s decider brimming with confidence.

SOUTH ADELAIDE 1.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 (20)
NORWOOD 5.0 | 6.1 | 7.5 | 10.7 (67)

GOALS:
South Adelaide: Z. Flesfadar, M. Jenkins, J. Shortridge
Norwood: L. Thomas 3, T. Pearson 2, D. McCracken, M. Sennar, I. Wigzell, K. Colbung-Ware, C. Marshall

RMC BEST
South Adelaide: Z. Flesfader, A. Harvey, L. Dunstall-Bruce, E. Warren
Norwood: M. Wood, E. Anderson, T. Pearson, D. McCracken, M. Sennar

The 2026 AAMI Talent League Under 18s Grand Final – Central District vs. Norwood – will be held at X Convenience Oval on Sunday, May 3.