ROUND 11 of the SANFLW takes place over the course of just a couple of hours, with the competition’s finals picture sharpening rapidly. North Adelaide’s stunning 33-point win over Woodville-West Torrens last week has blown the top four wide open, while Norwood’s emphatic 52-point demolition of Glenelg has the Redlegs just one point behind the ladder-leading Eagles. South Adelaide’s shock defeat to Central District – the Panthers’ fifth loss of the season – adds further intrigue to what is shaping as one of the most compelling SANFLW finals races in recent memory.

ROUND 11 FIXTURE:

South Adelaide vs. Glenelg | Magain Stadium, Saturday July 18, 12:00pm
Sturt vs. Woodville-West Torrens | Thomas Farms Oval, Saturday July 18, 12:00pm
West Adelaide vs. North Adelaide | Richmond Oval, Sunday July 19, 12:00pm
Norwood vs. Central District | Coopers Stadium, Sunday July 19, 12:30pm

SEASON SO FAR

South Adelaide (5-5) suffered a third consecutive defeat last round, going down to Central District by 10 points at Stratarama Stadium. Soriah Moon was extraordinary in defeat – 40 hitouts, 26 disposals, 17 clearances, eight tackles and five inside 50s – while Nikki Nield (24 disposals, seven tackles), Jessica Chyer (20 disposals, seven tackles) and Layla Vizgaudis (20 disposals, six clearances) all battled hard. The Panthers have now recorded five losses for the first time since 2022 and are in genuine danger of missing finals.

Glenelg (1-8-1) was on the wrong end of Norwood’s best performance of the season, going down by 52 points at Stratarama Stadium. Cassie McWilliam (21 hitouts, five tackles), Ellie Kellock (19 disposals, three clearances), Isla Wiencke (19 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances) and Tori Evans (16 disposals, six marks) were among the best in a tough outing for the Bays.

CHANGES

South Adelaide lose Moon to a calf injury – a massive blow given her dominance through the ruck and her clearance influence. Emma Charlton, Zoe Flesfadar, Chanel May, Samantha Pratt and Jaslynne Smith come into the side alongside Hope Taylor, who returns up forward. Tiana Lush (omitted) and Caitlin Couch (unavailable) are the other outs.

Glenelg make five changes, welcoming back Lily Bartholomaeus, Chloe Newton, Deni Varnhagen, Maya Vonarx and Ava Walter. Lucy Armitage, Wiencke, Elizabeth Johnson, Ella Little and Rhiley Huppatz are out.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

South Adelaide’s ruck stocks take a significant hit with Moon’s absence, placing greater responsibility on Vizgaudis and Charlton to drive the Panthers’ midfield. Taylor’s return up forward is a genuine boost – her forward craft and clutch moments have been a hallmark of the Panthers’ best performances this season, and she will need to be at her best to help South arrest a three-game losing streak. Marley Tape provides composure in the backline as another Academy name to watch.

For Glenelg, Georgie Fielder shifts back into a midfield role and is one of the Bays’ most important player on the park. Evans continues to build her case from half-back with her explosive speed and composure, and the spotlight is firmly on Fielder and Evans to provide something for the Bays.

PREDICTION

South Adelaide desperately needs a win to stay in finals contention, and Glenelg at home at Magain Stadium – even without Moon – should provide the opportunity to arrest the slide. The Panthers’ list quality is simply too strong for a Bays outfit that has won just once all season. South Adelaide to get back on track.

SEASON SO FAR

Sturt (5-3-2) suffered its second defeat in three weeks, going down to West Adelaide by 16 points at Stratarama Stadium. Isobel Kuiper was outstanding with 28 disposals, 11 tackles and six clearances, but the Double Blues couldn’t match the Bloods’ forward efficiency on the day. The loss leaves Sturt in a precarious position in the finals race with the competition entering its final stretch.

Woodville-West Torrens (7-2-1) suffered a second consecutive defeat, going down to North Adelaide by 33 points in a result that sent minor shockwaves through the competition. Tahlita Buethke (24 disposals, 11 tackles and four clearances), Maia Freemantle (19 disposals, seven clearances and six tackles), Julia Faulkner (14 tackles) and Lucy Moore (17 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances) all battled hard, but the Eagles were outplayed across the ground. Back-to-back losses have opened the door for Norwood to challenge for the minor premiership.

CHANGES

Sturt welcomes back Millie McCarthy from her ankle injury alongside Charlotte Copson, Edwina Thornquest and Sophie Thredgold, with Gemma Grivell the only out (unavailable). Madeline Nuss shifts from the interchange into the half-forward line, while Aaliyah Fox drops to the interchange.

Woodville-West Torrens welcome back Leah Cutting and Popi Gikas to the squad alongside Erini Gikas and Asha Gooley, with Marlie Fiegert the only confirmed out.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

For Sturt, Nuss is the name to watch. Her scoring touch has been one of the Double Blues’ highlights this season, and her ability to find the ball in traffic and convert makes her a compelling prospect. Lily Whiteman is coming off a promising campaign for South Australia at the national carnival and will be looking to continue that form.

For Woodville-West Torrens, Moore and Freemantle remain the Eagles’ most exciting Academy names. Moore’s consistency through the midfield and Freemantle’s clearance work and two-way running make them both compelling prospects. Ruby Lynch provides dynamic on-ball presence, while Faulkner’s footy smarts and lead-up work make her a constant threat from the forward flank.

PREDICTION

Two sides in need of a response – back-to-back losses for WWT and a defeat for Sturt. The Eagles’ list depth and the return of Cutting should be enough to see them get back on track, but Sturt at Thomas Farms with Kuiper in full flight is never an easy assignment. Woodville-West Torrens to return to winning ways, but Sturt will push them hard.

SEASON SO FAR

West Adelaide (3-6-1) recorded its third win of the season last week, defeating Sturt by 16 points at Stratarama Stadium. Zoe Venning was up to her usual tricks with 16 disposals, 13 tackles and six clearances, while Emily Mableson (18 disposals, 12 tackles, five inside 50s), Tess Huxtable (36 hitouts) and Madi Russell (18 disposals, eight rebound 50s, six marks) were all excellent. The win keeps the Bloods’ slim finals hopes alive.

North Adelaide (5-5) produced the result of the round, defeating ladder-leading Woodville-West Torrens by 33 points. Polly Turner (20 disposals, two goals, six marks, five tackles), Amber Ward (19 disposals, three goals, six marks) and Julia Clark (18 disposals, five tackles, five inside 50s) led the way, with Ella Metcalfe (18 disposals, five marks, five rebound 50s) outstanding in her 50th game. The Roosters are now knocking firmly on the door of the top four.

CHANGES

West Adelaide loses Sarah Deed to school commitments and with Molly Petersen (omitted) are the only confirmed outs, with Ava Barton and Stevie-Lee Thompson coming back into the side. The Bloods are otherwise settled off the back of last week’s win.

North Adelaide welcomes back Sophie Armitstead and Teagan Robins alongside Maya Fuller, with Krystal Thompson the only out (unavailable). The Roosters are in excellent form and carry enormous confidence into Richmond Oval.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

Mableson is set to be the key given another MVP-winning carnival. The defender/midfielder is the most technically polished prospect in the 2026 class, and her 12-tackle, five-inside-50 effort last week showed the two-way impact that sets her apart. Chelsea Newitt provides further top-age interest as a hard-working forward building her case week by week.

For North Adelaide, Turner is the headline after a performance that will have had every AFLW recruiter paying close attention – 20 disposals, six marks, five tackles and two goals against the competition’s best side is the kind of line that cements a player’s draft standing. Caitlin Hardin remains a consistent and important contributor, while Fuller off the half-back flank adds another Academy name for draft watchers to note.

PREDICTION

North Adelaide is flying and carries the confidence of the competition’s biggest win last week. West Adelaide at home will be competitive – Venning and Mableson through the middle are a formidable combination – but the Roosters’ form and the depth of their list should see them get the job done. North Adelaide by a couple of goals.

SEASON SO FAR

Norwood (7-3) is in the form of its season, having won three consecutive games and sitting just one point behind Woodville-West Torrens on the ladder. Last week’s 52-point demolition of Glenelg was their most complete performance of the year. Lani Cocks was everywhere with 22 disposals, 10 tackles, five inside 50s and four clearances, while Jade Halfpenny (25 disposals, nine tackles, seven inside 50s, five clearances), Coby Morgan (19 disposals, two goals) and Ella Anderson (18 disposals, five rebound 50s) led from the front.

Central District (4-5-1) continued its remarkable run of form, defeating South Adelaide by 10 points to make it three wins in a row. Laitiah Huynh led the way with 20 disposals, seven clearances, six tackles and five marks, while Shelby Smith (19 disposals, five clearances), Ella Randall (seven tackles) and Miyu Endersby (32 hitouts) were outstanding. The Bulldogs are now firmly in the finals conversation.

CHANGES

Norwood welcomes back Charlee Brooksby, Nicola Burns, Amy Gaedtke and Stephanie Simmonds to bolster their depth, with Sophie Palmer the only out. The Redlegs’ core that has driven their three-game winning streak remains intact.

Central District loses Tesharna Maher and Izabella Nisbet – two of their most important contributors over the past fortnight – with Demi Holloway and Indiana Nelson coming into the side. The outs are significant: Maher’s three goals last week were crucial to the win over South Adelaide, and Nisbet’s nine-tackle effort against West Adelaide in Round 9 showed what she brings.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

Cocks is having a ripping bottom-age season and arrives at Coopers Stadium in career-best form. 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 the returning Brooksby – all class on the wing with her flat, penetrating kick – is another Academy name worth watching on her comeback.

For Central District, Endersby’s battle with Kate Alexander in the ruck is the contest of the round. Endersby’s 32-hitout effort against South Adelaide was a statement of her dominance, and she will need to produce a similar performance to give the Bulldogs a platform against Norwood’s formidable midfield. Olivia Leslie from half-back continues to build a compelling 2027 case, while Holloway’s return adds another Academy name to the forward half.

PREDICTION

Norwood is in the form of its season and has the home-ground advantage at Coopers Stadium. Central District’s three-game winning streak is genuine and the Dogs’ belief is sky-high, but losing Maher and Nisbet is a significant double blow. The Redlegs’ midfield depth and Cocks’ class should see them get over the line. Norwood to make it four in a row.