Hostplus SANFL League Run Home

Just three rounds remain until the Hostplus SANFL League finals series kicks off on Sunday August 28.

As many as seven teams can still qualify for the major round, leaving SANFL Media Producer ZAC MILBANK to analyse the run home for each contender.

It promises to be an exciting finish to the minor round so take a look at what each team faces heading into Round 17 this weekend.

Ladder Position – 1st

Wins – 11

Losses – 4

Percentage – 57.78

Remaining Fixtures – v Glenelg (Away), West (Home), Sturt (Away)

Crunch Game – Round 17 v Glenelg at ACH Group Stadium

Last Word – The ladder-leading Roosters are in the box seat to finish in the top three but still face a considerable challenge to ensure they secure the minor premiership. Defeating the second-placed Tigers at the Bay on Saturday will go a long way towards earning a week off in the major round.

Ladder Position – 2nd

Wins – 11

Losses – 4

Percentage – 52.98

Remaining Fixtures – v North (Home), Norwood (Away), Central (Home)

Crunch Game – Round 18 v Norwood at The Parade

Last Word – The Bays continue to hang in despite not producing their best football across four quarters. The next fortnight is crucial as Glenelg faces premiership threats, and top-three contenders, North Adelaide and Norwood in consecutive weeks. The clash against the Redlegs promises to be a beauty under lights at The Parade on Friday August 12.

Ladder Position – 3rd

Wins – 10

Losses – 5

Percentage – 57.31

Remaining Fixtures – v Eagles (Away), Central (Adelaide Oval), Port (Adelaide Oval)

Crunch Game – Round 17 v Eagles at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval

Last Word – Stinging from a lacklustre loss to Norwood in Round 16, the Crows can make things extremely difficult for the reigning premier with a win against the Eagles in the Round 17 feature match on Sunday. Michael Godden’s men then have a nice lead in to the major round with consecutive games at Adelaide Oval before the finals series begins at the home of SA footy.

Ladder Position – 4th

Wins – 10

Losses – 5

Percentage – 54.02

Remaining Fixtures – v Central (Away), Glenelg (Home), West (Away)

Crunch Game – Round 18 v Glenelg at The Parade

Last Word – Riding high on a six-game winning streak, Norwood is undoubtedly the form team of the Hostplus SANFL League. Despite sitting fourth on the ladder, the Redlegs are right in the frame to claim the minor premiership, such is their draw and red-hot form. Defeating Glenelg in Round 18 will go a long way towards securing a top-three berth in September.

Ladder Position – 5th

Wins – 9

Losses – 6

Percentage – 51.81

Remaining Fixtures – v Port (Home), Eagles (Away), North (Home)

Crunch Game – Round 18 v Eagles at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval

Last Word – Could have put South Adelaide out of the finals frame with a win against the Panthers in Round 16 but instead left the door ajar after succumbing at Unley. The Double Blues will certainly earn their finals berth if they secure it, facing a challenging conclusion to the minor round. If Martin Mattner’s men can defeat Port on Saturday, their clash against the Eagles in Round 18 takes on huge significance given the reigning premier is also battling to slide into fifth spot.

Ladder Position – 6th

Wins – 8

Losses – 7

Percentage – 50.69

Remaining Fixtures – v Adelaide (Home), Sturt (Home), South (Away)

Crunch Game – Round 19 v South at Flinders University Stadium

Last Word – The dream of winning three premierships in succession is still alive for the Eagles but they face arguably the most challenging run towards the major round. If the reigning premier can defeat Adelaide and Sturt in the next fortnight, then their final home-and-away contest against South in Round 19 looms as a mini Elimination Final should the Panthers win their next two against bottom-three teams Port and West.

Ladder Position – 7th

Wins – 7

Losses – 8

Percentage – 49.12

Remaining Fixtures – v West (Away), Port (Home), Eagles (Home)

Crunch Game – Round 19 v Eagles at Flinders University Stadium

Last Word – Ravaged by injuries to key players throughout season 2022, the Panthers have done an admirable job to remain in the finals race, culminating in their gutsy win against Sturt at Unley in Round 16. South still needs results to fall its way but finishing with wins against West and Port in the next fortnight could set up a salivating finish to the minor round against Woodville-West Torrens at Noarlunga.