Road to the 2025 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final

By ZAC MILBANK

Adelaide denied minor premier Sturt the chance to become the first team since 1914 to complete a flawless campaign with a thrilling two-point win as the Hostplus SANFL League’s top five took shape.

The Double Blues were aiming to emulate Port Adelaide’s feat by closing out the minor round with an 18-0 win-loss record and 31-0 win-loss since Round 5 last year, together with 19 wins in succession at Unley.

But it wasn’t to be as the Crows tuned up for their Qualifying Final match up with Glenelg, at 3.15pm next Sunday at Adelaide Oval, with a high-pressure victory.

The Double Blues, who had earlier claimed their first minor premiership since 1998, will now have a week’s rest after earning direct entry to the Second Semi-Final.

Glenelg, hunting its third premiership in succession, will take meaningful form into its contest against the Crows after accounting for Central District by a massive 86-point win at X Convenience Oval.

Star Tigers forward Lachie Hosie earned his second Ken Farmer Medal by booting three goals to take his minor round tally to 65.

At the Parade, arch-rivals Norwood and Port Adelaide fought out a high-intensity battle for fifth spot, the Redlegs outlasting the Magpies by 10 points.

Not only did the Legs end Port’s 2025 campaign, they booked a berth in the Elimination Final against Central District next Sunday at Adelaide Oval from 12.15pm.

West Adelaide finished its season on a high with a tough six-point win against South Adelaide at Hisense Stadium while Woodville-West Torrens will host North Adelaide in the last minor round match of the season on Sunday at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.