2026 Hostplus SANFL & SANFLW League Season Launch

By ZAC MILBANK 

It is the burning question on the tip of every SANFL fan’s tongue. 

Are we seeing a preview of the 2026 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final in the first match of the season?

Traditional rivals Norwood and Sturt will lock horns to open proceedings under lights at The Parade on Friday night, in front of what’s expected to be a bumper crowd.

Reigning premier Sturt will be eager to begin defending its crown in positive fashion after its near perfect season while Norwood, edged out of last year’s title-decider by two points, has been the clear winner in the recruiting stakes over summer.

While the Double Blues welcome back Jed McEntee from the Power, the Redlegs have 2024 Magarey Medallist Harry Boyd, together with former Sydney Swan Aaron Francis and Central District hardman Kade Dittmar, ready to make their presence felt.

But there will be eight other clubs fighting hard to dispel this theory as coaches and captains from all clubs gathered for a unique Hostplus SANFL League Season Launch in Rundle Mall on Wednesday.

West Adelaide coach Nathan Bassett, rejoining SANFL ranks as a senior mentor for the first time since steering the Redlegs to flags in 2012 and 2013, is eager to sink his teeth into the first season of his three-year rebuild at Richmond Oval.

North Adelaide mentor Josh Francou details how he has changed as a coach since he was last in charge of the Roosters in 2013 while Glenelg’s new man at the helm, Matthew Clarke, reveals the Tigers could have as many as four debutants in Round 1 against Port Adelaide.

Ahead of the latest start to the Hostplus SANFLW League, on the weekend of Saturday April 18, new Sturt mentor Ange Foley and experienced Eagles coach Narelle Smith were put under the microscope by MC Mark Soderstrom.

Foley, who is entering her first year of coaching with the Double Blues after a distinguished career with Adelaide and Port Adelaide in the AFLW, promised she wouldn’t be tempted to come out of retirement as a payer coach.

Smith, recently appointed as the new SANFLW State coach, sensed her group would be better for the experience of playing in last year’s Grand Final after being beaten by the Panthers in the title-decider.

Interestingly, the SANFLW skippers declared their biggest rivals with North’s Amber Ward saying the Panthers’ were their greatest foe while Norwood captain Jade Halfpenny and Sturt skipper Alex Ballard agreed the close geographical nature of The Parade and Unley contributed to their intense battles.

Friday March 27
Norwood v Sturt at Coopers Stadium from 7.40pm

Saturday March 28 
South Adelaide v Woodville-West Torrens at Magain Stadium from 2.10pm
West Adelaide v Adelaide at Richmond Oval from 2.10pm
Central District v North Adelaide at X Convenience Oval from 4.10pm
Port Adelaide v Glenelg at Alberton Oval from 4.10pm