ROUND 13 of the SANFLW is the penultimate home-and-away round, and the finals race has never been tighter. Woodville-West Torrens reclaimed top spot with a thrilling one-point win over South Adelaide last week, while Sturt celebrated Hannah Prenzler‘s 100th game with a 14-point win over Norwood to all but cement a top-four spot. North Adelaide’s 19-point win over Glenelg has the Roosters firmly in the four, while South Adelaide’s loss leaves the reigning premiers outside the top four and in elimination finals for the rest of the season. The stakes could not be higher.

ROUND 13 FIXTURE:

Woodville-West Torrens vs. Glenelg | Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Saturday August 1, 2:50pm
Central District vs. Sturt | X Convenience Oval, Saturday August 1, 4:50pm
West Adelaide vs. Norwood | Richmond Oval, Saturday August 1, 5:00pm
South Adelaide vs. North Adelaide | Magain Stadium, Sunday August 2, 12:00pm

SEASON SO FAR

Woodville-West Torrens (8-2-2) reclaimed top spot on the ladder with a thrilling one-point win over South Adelaide at Allied Waste Stadium. Lucy Moore was the hero thanks to a crucial behind from a snap in the dying minutes of the match. Ruby Lynch was outstanding with 23 disposals, eight clearances and seven tackles, while Tahlita Buethke (21 disposals, nine tackles, six marks) and Leah Cutting (43 hitouts) were also excellent. The win secured the Eagles the first finals spot of the season.

Glenelg (1-10-1) was competitive early against North Adelaide before going down by 19 points at Allied Waste Stadium. Cassie McWilliam was brilliant with 20 disposals, 33 hitouts, five clearances and five inside 50s, while Kori Webb kicked three goals and Ellie Kellock (14 disposals, five clearances) and Ella Quinn (14 disposals, five marks) played their roles well. The result was also the first game under interim coach Mick Axon at their home ground.

CHANGES

Woodville-West Torrens make five inclusions with Abbie Butler, Erini Gikas, Asha Gooley, Zahlia Niemann and Chanel Rugari coming in, with Marie Martino the only out (concussion).

Glenelg make three inclusions with Elizabeth Johnson, Mackenzie O’Dea and Kiahni Russell coming in. Asha Dufour, Isla Wiencke and Chante Waters are the outs – the absence of Dufour a notable blow given her importance as the Bays’ clearance engine and co-captain.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

Lynch’s 23-disposal, eight-clearance effort last round was the kind of performance that cements a player’s standing in draft circles, and she arrives at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in the form of her season. Maia Freemantle‘s clearance work and two-way running make her one of the most compelling bottom-age prospects in the competition. Lucy Moore and Julia Faulkner provide crucial pressure and team-first moments.

For Glenelg, Georgie Fielder and Tori Evans are the Academy names to watch. Fielder’s ability to drive the ball from the centre square makes her the Bays’ most important player, while Evans continues to build a compelling case from half-back with her explosive speed and composure.

PREDICTION

Woodville-West Torrens has the minor premiership firmly in its sights. Glenelg without Dufour and Wiencke is a significantly diminished unit, and the Eagles’ depth and class should be too strong. Woodville-West Torrens to win comfortably.

SEASON SO FAR

Central District (4-7-1) went down to West Adelaide by 20 points last round, with Izabella Nisbet (17 disposals, eight tackles), Miyu Endersby (14 disposals, 28 hitouts), Shelby Smith (19 disposals, four tackles) and Sienna Antony (five tackles) all battling hard. The Bulldogs’ finals hopes are now extinguished and will be looking towards a rebound in 2027.

Sturt (6-3-3) celebrated Prenzler’s 100th game with a 14-point win over Norwood at Allied Waste Stadium. Isobel Kuiper was outstanding with 24 disposals, 10 clearances and eight tackles, while Georgia Swan (19 disposals, nine tackles, six clearances), Skout Young (15 disposals, five clearances) and Ruby Cunningham (16 disposals) all played pivotal roles. Madeline Nuss sealed the win with her 12th goal of the season, all but cementing Sturt’s spot in the top four.

CHANGES

Central District brings in Tess Gerhardy, Tara Lord and Shannon Murphy alongside the returning Dakota Williams, with Kasey Wendland, Tesharna Maher and Kirra Tonkin the outs.

Sturt names no outs and welcome back Alexandra Ballard, Edwina Thornquest and Lily Whiteman. Millie McCarthy shifts into the forward line alongside Georgia King, with Alex Pearce, Swan and Sophie Thredgold forming the follower combination.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

Nuss arrives at X Convenience Oval having kicked 12 goals this season – a remarkable return for a debut SANFLW campaign. Her All-Australian selection at the national championships recognised a player who has been one of the competition’s most consistent performers, and she will be looking to add to her tally in what could be a finals-defining game for Sturt. Whiteman’s return adds greater toughness and class

Endersby’s 38-hitout effort in Round 11 showed what she brings as the Bulldogs’ top draft prospect, and she will need to produce a dominant performance to give the Dogs any chance. Demi Holloway in the forward half adds another Academy name to watch, while Nisbet is one for the future.

PREDICTION

Sturt needs a win to lock in a top-four spot, and Central District – with its finals hopes gone – faces a side playing with enormous purpose. The Bulldogs will be competitive, as they have been all season, but Kuiper’s class and Nuss’s scoring touch should see the Double Blues get the job done. Sturt by three goals.

SEASON SO FAR

West Adelaide (4-7-1) returned to the winners’ list with a 20-point victory over Central District at Allied Waste Stadium. Emily Mableson was judged best afield, winning the inaugural Vivian Bullwinkel Best on Ground Medal with 22 disposals, seven marks and seven inside 50s. Iilish Ross was everywhere with 27 disposals, seven marks and five clearances, while Zoe Venning (32 disposals, seven marks) was at her usual best. The Bloods’ finals hopes are extinguished, but they remain a dangerous side capable of playing spoiler.

Norwood (8-4) suffered its first loss in five games, going down to Sturt by 14 points at Allied Waste Stadium. Emily Bartsch continued her stellar season with 18 disposals, seven rebound 50s and five tackles, while Jade Halfpenny (seven tackles, six clearances) and Coby Morgan (18 disposals) battled hard. The Redlegs remain in second place but will be eager to bounce back with the minor premiership still within reach.

CHANGES

West Adelaide lose Jemima Woods to a Port Adelaide AFLW trial and Sarah Deed with a broken collarbone, as Delaicee Hansen and Brooke Wilson come into the side.

Norwood lose Mykaela Walker (omitted) and Charlee Brooksby (injured) – the latter a notable blow given her class on the wing and half-back – with Nicola Burns, Isabella Calvanese, Emma Clark, Sophie Palmer and Stephanie Simmonds coming into the side.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

Mableson’s Vivian Bullwinkel Medal win was a fitting recognition of a player who has been West Adelaide’s best across the second half of the season. The defender/midfielder won South Australia’s MVP at the national championships and is the most technically polished prospect in the 2026 class – her ability to impact the game across multiple facets makes her the player to watch at Richmond Oval. Chelsea Newitt on the half-forward line provides further top-age interest.

Lani Cocks is having a ripping bottom-age season and arrives at Richmond Oval looking to help Norwood bounce back. Her All-Australian selection at the national championships was a fitting recognition of her consistency and class, and she will need to be at her best against a West Adelaide midfield that has been formidable in recent weeks. Elke Cameron at half-forward adds further top-age quality, while Kate Alexander has flourished in a ruck-forward role.

PREDICTION

Norwood needs a win to keep pace with Woodville-West Torrens in the race for the minor premiership, and West Adelaide – without Woods and Deed – is a more manageable opponent than the Bloods at full strength. The Redlegs’ class and depth should see them get back on track. Norwood by a few goals.

SEASON SO FAR

South Adelaide (6-6) suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss to Woodville-West Torrens last round, with Emma Charlton (17 disposals, 14 tackles), Nikki Nield (21 disposals, 13 tackles), Olivia Evans (15 disposals, seven marks) and Holly Ifould (19 disposals, six marks) all excellent in defeat. The Panthers now sit outside the top four and must win to keep their finals hopes alive.

North Adelaide (7-5) jumped into the top four with a 19-point win over Glenelg. Laura Niejalke (25 disposals, five tackles), Ella Metcalfe (19 disposals, six tackles, five marks), Aprille Crooks (17 disposals, nine tackles) in her 50th game and Jamie Parish (16 disposals, six rebound 50s) all played crucial roles. Amber Ward kicked three goals, and the Roosters head to Magain Stadium with enormous confidence.

CHANGES

South Adelaide’s changes are headlined by three massive returns. Soriah Moon comes back from her calf injury to reclaim the ruck, a transformative inclusion given her dominance at stoppages. Taya Maxwell – who hasn’t played since South Australia’s loss to Vic Metro at the 2025 AFLW Under 18s Championships – returns to the half-forward line, while the terribly unlucky Shae Archbold – who tore her ACL late in last year’s preliminary final and therefore missed the premiership win – is named again after not quite making the final squad last week. Doreena Hansen, Lily Dunstall-Bruce and Tabitha Prosser also come in, with Melissa Anderson (knee) and Caitlin Couch (unavailable) the outs alongside former League leading goalkicker Emily Brockhurst (omitted).

North Adelaide name no outs and welcome back Keira Copeland and Krystal Thompson to the interchange.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

South Adelaide’s draft showcase returns in full force. Charlton is the competition’s premier prospect and arrives at Magain Stadium needing a big game to help keep the Panthers’ season alive. Hope Taylor up forward and Marley Tape in defence round out South’s Academy contingent, while Maxwell’s return is a fascinating subplot – the tall utility hasn’t played in 12 months but given her pick one potential she is a name to watch with great intent.

For North Adelaide, Polly Turner has been in the form of her season over the past month and is one of the competition’s most dangerous players. Hardin remains a consistent contributor, while Fuller adds another future name to watch.

PREDICTION

This is the game of the round. South Adelaide must win to stay in finals contention, and the returns of Moon, Maxwell and Archbold make the Panthers a significantly more dangerous proposition than the side that lost by one point last week. North Adelaide is in the form of its season and has the confidence of four wins from five, but at Magain Stadium with everything on the line, South Adelaide’s class and the weight of expectation should see the reigning premiers get the job done. South Adelaide in a thriller.