Central District vs. Woodville-West Torrens | 10:30am
North Adelaide vs. South Adelaide | 12:40pm
West Adelaide vs. Sturt | 2:50pm
Norwood vs. Glenelg | 5:00pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Central District<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Woodville-West Torrens<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSEASON SO FAR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central District’s season has taken a difficult turn after a promising Round 1 victory over North Adelaide. The Bulldogs were held goalless in the second half of their Round 2 loss to South Adelaide, shipping three unanswered goals after the main break to go down 5.6 (36) to 1.6 (12). The challenge of facing Woodville-West Torrens in their current form is a significant one for a side still searching for the consistency that marked its 2023 premiership season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Woodville-West Torrens is building an imposing case as the competition’s most dangerous side when firing. After the heartbreak of a Round 1 draw with Sturt – the Eagles trailed by 34 points before pegging back the Double Blues – they delivered an emphatic statement in Round 2, blowing West Adelaide away with Klaudia O’Neill<\/a> booting six goals from 11 marks and Alice Tentye<\/a> registering 23 disposals, five marks and eight tackles. Tahlita Buethke<\/a> (27 disposals, nine marks, five inside 50s) and Marie Martino<\/a> (16 disposals, 10 marks) added further class, and the Eagles looked every inch a flag contender by the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHANGES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The big news for Central District is the return of Miyu Endersby<\/a>, who missed Round 2 through National Academy duties but slots straight back into the ruck alongside Mikaylah Antony<\/a> and Dakota Williams<\/a>. Her presence is enormous for the Bulldogs – without her against South Adelaide, the Dogs were controlled through the midfield in the second half, with Shelby Smith<\/a>, Laitiah Huynh<\/a> and the midfield group doing their best. Alysha Healy<\/a> also comes in, with Tashayla Corfield<\/a> and Tarly Borgas<\/a> the outs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Woodville-West Torrens welcome Amie Blanden<\/a>, Chanel Rugari<\/a> and Under 16s talent Anika Tran<\/strong> into the squad as additional interchange depth. Maia Freemantle<\/a> is back up forward alongside Jiarna Zerella<\/a>, giving the Eagles genuine multiple-pronged forward threats to complement O’Neill’s aerial dominance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRAFT PROSPECTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Central District, Endersby herself is the headline name – the National Academy ruck is one of the most coveted prospects in the 2026 class, and her return gives the Bulldogs a completely different foundation from which to operate. Charlotte Maurits<\/a> is the composed left-footer with genuine upside for 2027 running through the centre alongside the experienced Smith and Huynh, while Demi Holloway<\/a> showed forward instinct off the bench in Round 2 and Ella Randall<\/a> and Aoife Berry<\/a> continue to settle into the league after crossing from the GWS Academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the Eagles, Julia Faulkner<\/a> has started the season well a forward-midfielder who engineers scoring chances through smart lead-up work and sharp decision-making without ever demanding the ball. Lucy Moore<\/a> and Ruby Lynch<\/a> are the other top-agers who are outstanding draft prospects, while bottom-ager Zahlia Niemann<\/a> is an exciting young tall on the interchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PREDICTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Endersby’s return narrows the gap considerably, but the Eagles’ depth and finishing power remains too much for a Bulldogs side still waiting for their forward line to click without Rosenzweig. O’Neill’s aerial dominance and the Eagles’ ability to convert chances through multiple avenues makes them the clear favourites. Woodville-West Torrens by four goals.<\/p>\n
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\n\n- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
North Adelaide<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>South Adelaide<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSEASON SO FAR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Adelaide’s season is searching for traction after back-to-back defeats. A 27-point loss to Central District in Round 1 was followed by the gut-punch of a two-point loss to Norwood in a thriller the Roosters were well-placed to win for much of the night. Sophie Armitstead<\/a> is providing genuine class in her first season at Prospect but the Roosters desperately need points, and Round 3 does not offer an easy opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Adelaide have done nothing but win. Two games, two victories, and a ruthlessness to the Panthers’ scoring that speaks to the class of a side chasing a third consecutive flag. Hope Taylor<\/a>‘s three-goal effort against Central District in Round 2 announced her as one of the competition’s most dangerous top-age forwards, while Layla Vizgaudis<\/a> was sensational with 25 disposals, three marks, four tackles and four clearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHANGES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Adelaide make five changes, including Aprille Crooks<\/a>, Nevaeh Ebert<\/a> and Maya Fuller<\/a>. The most notable absence is Polly Turner<\/a> – the dual-position top-age tall who has been one of the Roosters’ most eye-catching performers in the opening fortnight is out this week, which is a significant blow to North’s ability to provide a contested marking target and aerial presence inside 50, with Sky Jensen<\/a>‘s knee injury in last week’s game another blow for the Roosters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Adelaide’s changes are numerous and, in the context of the season, significant. Emma Charlton<\/a> – one of the Panthers’ two pick one contending draft prospects – returns to the starting line-up after missing the opening two rounds, a major boost to South’s midfield class. Star ruck Soriah Moon<\/a> is also back, Chelsea Farr<\/a> returns across half-back, and Tabitha Prosser<\/a> adds another forward option. The outs include Laquoiya<\/a> (unavailable) and Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap<\/a> (knee), while Caitlin Couch<\/a> remains unavailable.The Panthers are becoming more complete with each passing week, even without her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRAFT PROSPECTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For North Adelaide, Turner’s absence this week means the spotlight falls primarily on Caitlin Hardin<\/a> as the Roosters’ most prominent prospect on the park – a contested midfielder who works hard around the stoppages and will face a stern examination from Charlton and Vizgaudis through the middle. Fuller returning to the side gives her another opportunity as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For South Adelaide, Taylor is flying and her performance last week will have draft watchers paying close attention. Vizgaudis is criminally underrated in draft circles for a player of her quality – composure on ball, athleticism and reading of the game make her one of the competition’s most complete midfielders. The return of Charlton is the headline for draft observers this week \u2014 the Panthers’ premier prospect has been absent from the opening two rounds and Round 3 is the first genuine opportunity to assess her quality in 2026. Bottom-ager Marley Tape<\/a> is another developing name to file away, while Madison Brown<\/a> adds midfield depth and has started her debut League season strongly. It will be fascinating to see her role now Charlton is back in the lineup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PREDICTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Adelaide look to be too good. The Panthers grow more complete by the week, and the return of Moon through the middle alongside Vizgaudis creates a combination that North Adelaide \u2014 without Turner and missing several key personnel \u2014 will struggle to contain. The Roosters will compete, as they always do, but given the outs for the home side and the form of the visitors, you just have to go with South.<\/p>\n
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\n\n- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
West Adelaide<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Sturt<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSEASON SO FAR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
West Adelaide’s season has been a study in contrast. A narrow, hard-fought Round 1 win over Glenelg in a high-scoring affair at Magain Stadium showed the Bloods’ scoring capacity, with Zoe Venning<\/a> delivering one of the great individual performances of opening round. Round 2, however, was a sobering afternoon against a rampant Woodville-West Torrens, with the Eagles’ running game and Klaudia O’Neill<\/strong>‘s aerial dominance exposing West’s defensive structure in the second half. New coach Shane Pill<\/em><\/strong> will have had plenty to address across the week, and the Bloods will need a far more complete defensive effort against a Sturt side that brings ferocious collective pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sturt heads into Round 3 with one of the better form line in the competition – an agonising Round 1 draw against Woodville-West Torrens that felt like a missed opportunity, followed by a convincing 16-point win over Glenelg in Round 2 that showed the Double Blues’ real quality. Isobel Kuiper<\/a> (22 disposals, six tackles, seven clearances) was elite through the midfield, while Georgia King<\/a> and Madeline Nuss<\/a> combined for six goals, and the Double Blues showed the cohesion and workrate that has defined Ange Foley<\/em><\/strong>‘s early tenure as head coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHANGES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The headline for West Adelaide is the return of Emily Mableson<\/a>. The National Academy member – widely regarded as the most technically polished prospect in the 2026 class – slots back into the centre alongside Zoe Venning<\/strong> and Iilish Ross<\/a>, and her absence from Round 2 was keenly felt. Her ability to drive transition off half-back and break lines cleanly is transformative for the Bloods’ gameplan. Summer Malone<\/a>, Poppy Lea<\/a> and Molly Petersen<\/a> also come in, with Alaitz Kelly <\/strong>the sole out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sturt bring in Amy Brooks-Birve<\/a>, Erin Conn<\/a> and Zina Hunt<\/a> to deepen their interchange. The notable monitoring point is Skout Young<\/a>, who suffered a dislocated finger in Round 2 but is named on the interchange – an encouraging sign for the Double Blues if she can take her place, given her run and drive across half-forward complements the inside pressure that Kuiper generates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRAFT PROSPECTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For West Adelaide, Emily Mableson<\/a> is the headline name in this fixture – one of the most coveted prospects in the 2026 class, her smooth movement, elite decision-making and ability to break lines makes her unmissable for any AFLW recruiter watching on at Coopers Stadium. Chelsea Newitt<\/a> adds pace and clever forward instinct across the half-forward line, while Sarah Deed<\/a> is a name for the future having shone through the middle and up forward thus far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Sturt, top-ager Skout Young<\/a> and bottom-ager Lily Whiteman<\/a> are ones to track in the draft context, while fellow 2009-born Nuss has kicked two goals in each of her first two games and is staking a claim as one of the competition’s most exciting young forwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PREDICTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The match of the round. Mableson’s return gives West Adelaide a completely different look through the middle, and the contest between her and Kuiper – two of the competition’s most influential players – shapes as the central storyline of the afternoon. Sturt’s collective pressure is relentless and they will not gift West Adelaide anything cheaply, while the Bloods’ forward line, with Newitt and Jemima Woods<\/a> providing options, has genuine capacity to hurt any defence. A tight game that could genuinely go either way. Sturt by a goal but anything can happen given the quality players on both sides.<\/p>\n
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\n\n- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Norwood<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Glenelg<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSEASON SO FAR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norwood’s Round 2 win over North Adelaide was one of the performances of the season so far – a genuine coming-of-age result for a side that lost significant experience in the off-season and was tipped by many to struggle in the early rounds under new coach Ben Hunt<\/em><\/strong>. The Redlegs went down by 27 points to South Adelaide in Round 1, but bounced back to claim a two-point thriller at Revo Fitness Oval, with Charlee Brooksby<\/a> providing class through the midfield, Coby Morgan<\/a> proving herself a quality returning addition from Port Adelaide, and Lani Cocks<\/a> showing again that she is already one of the best prospects for next season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Glenelg have had the toughest start possible on the scoreboard – losses to West Adelaide and Sturt – but both matches have shown considerably more quality than the results suggest. Over-age debutant Isla Wiencke<\/a> was brilliant in Round 1, Georgie Fielder<\/a> has been competitive in both outings, and Asha Dufour<\/a>‘s 12 clearances in the Sturt loss showed a combativeness that belies the final margin. Kiana Lee<\/a>‘s four goals against Sturt – going toe-to-toe with Georgia King<\/strong> in a genuine individual shootout – was the kind of performance that keeps a side in any contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHANGES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norwood welcome Sophie Arkun<\/a> back into the starting line-up at half-back and bring in Isabella Calvanese<\/a>, Taylor Hand<\/a> and Mykaela Walker<\/a> for additional interchange depth. Lana Schwerdt<\/a> misses with a hamstring injury – the only change from a side that won in Round 2 – and the core that delivered that victory remains intact through Brooksby, Morgan, Jade Halfpenny<\/a> and Kate Alexander<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Glenelg’s most significant news is the return of Ellie Kellock<\/a> – she slots back into the backline after a one-game suspension – giving the Bays a more complete defensive setup than they had available in Round 2. Brooklyn Kraft<\/a> also comes in through the ruck, with Elizabeth Johnson<\/a> and Chante Waters <\/strong>omitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRAFT PROSPECTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Norwood, Brooksby is one to watch with all composure and class through the midfield, and her ball use and decision-making under pressure are other elements that make her exciting. Cocks is a top-end 2027 prospect, while ruck Alexander and midfielder\/forward Elke Cameron<\/a> round out the Redlegs’ Academy contingent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Glenelg, Georgie Fielder<\/a> is the standout top-age name – an elite mover who covers ground effortlessly and plays with two-way intensity that makes her one of the state’s premier prospects regardless of competition level. Wiencke announced herself as a Preseason Draft chance on debut and has not looked out of place since. Tori Evans<\/a> provides composed rebounding run from half-back, while Eloise Mackereth<\/a>‘s hurt fact across the forward line is a genuine asset for the Bays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PREDICTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A genuine toss-up to close out the Energised Round under the Coopers Stadium lights. Norwood’s confidence will be high after the Round 2 win and Brooksby’s class gives the Redlegs a clear on-ball advantage, but Glenelg are a more dangerous proposition with Kellock back and Lee capable of hurting anyone on her day. If the Bays’ midfield – Fielder, Dufour and Wiencke – can win enough of their own ball and keep feeding Lee inside 50, an upset is live. Norwood’s slightly more experienced group and the growing momentum under Hunt gets the nod – but one paper the Bays are due for a win.<\/p>\n
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Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>
- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>