2026 SANFL season

2026 SANFL season
Date27 March – 20 September 2026
Teams10
Minor premiersNorwood
21st minor premiership

The 2026 SANFL season (officially known as the SANFL Hostplus League for sponsorship reasons) is the 147th season of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL), the highest-level men's Australian rules football competition in South Australia. The season commenced on 27 March and will conclude with the grand final on 20 September.[1][2]

Home-and-away season

Round 1

Round 1
Friday 27 March (7:40 pm) Norwood 9.12 (66) def. by Sturt 10.11 (71) Coopers Stadium (crowd: 4,424) Report
Saturday 28 March (2:10 pm) South Adelaide 7.7 (49) def. by Woodville-West Torrens 15.11 (101) Magain Stadium (crowd: 1,242) Report
Saturday 28 March (2:10 pm) West Adelaide 11.13 (79) def. Adelaide 11.6 (72) Richmond Oval (crowd: 1,151) Report
Saturday 28 March (4:10 pm) Central District 11.7 (73) def. by North Adelaide 11.12 (78) X Convenience Oval (crowd: 1,982) Report
Saturday 28 March (4:10 pm) Port Adelaide 8.6 (54) def. by Glenelg 15.11 (101) Alberton Oval (crowd: 2,040) Report

Round 2

Round 2
Thursday 2 April (7:40 pm) Woodville-West Torrens 12.12 (84) def. Adelaide 10.7 (67) Maughan Thiem Kia Oval Report
Friday 3 April (2:10 pm) Glenelg 7.9 (51) def. Norwood 6.7 (43) Stratarama Stadium (crowd: 5,125) Report
Friday 3 April (2:10 pm) West Adelaide 11.5 (71) drew with Central District 11.5 (71) Richmond Oval (crowd: 1,366) Report
Friday 3 April (2:10 pm) South Adelaide 10.10 (70) def. Port Adelaide 8.6 (54) Magain Stadium (crowd: 1,742) Report
Friday 3 April (2:30 pm) North Adelaide 7.8 (50) def. by Sturt 15.19 (109) Revo Fitness Oval (crowd: 5,244) Report

Round 3

Round 3
Friday 17 April (7:40 pm) Norwood 10.14 (74) def. South Adelaide 7.10 (52) Coopers Stadium (crowd: 1,871) Report
Saturday 18 April (2:10 pm) Central District 11.8 (74) def. by Adelaide 12.11 (83) X Convenience Oval (crowd: 1,355) Report
Saturday 18 April (2:10 pm) Glenelg 13.7 (85) def. West Adelaide 11.16 (82) Stratarama Stadium (crowd: 2,686) Report
Sunday 19 April (2:10 pm) Port Adelaide 11.8 (74) def. by North Adelaide 14.7 (91) Alberton Oval (crowd: 1,421) Report
Sunday 19 April (2:10 pm) Sturt 14.11 (95) def. by Woodville-West Torrens 15.7 (97) Thomas Farms Oval (crowd: 3,251) Report

Round 4

Round 4
Friday 24 April (7:40 pm) Norwood 9.14 (68) def. Port Adelaide 9.7 (61) Coopers Stadium Report
Friday 24 April (7:40 pm) Woodville-West Torrens 16.14 (110) def. West Adelaide 10.9 (69) Maughan Thiem Kia Oval Report
Saturday 25 April (2:10 pm) North Adelaide 9.6 (60) def. by Adelaide 10.13 (73) Revo Fitness Oval (crowd: 2,588) Report
Saturday 25 April (2:30 pm) Sturt 9.11 (65) def. by Glenelg 11.16 (82) Thomas Farms Oval (crowd: 4,059) Report
Sunday 26 April (1:10 pm) South Adelaide 19.5 (119) def. Central District 12.13 (85) Magain Stadium (crowd: 992) Report

Round 5

Round 5
Friday 1 May (4:30 pm) Adelaide 15.8 (98) def. by Port Adelaide 18.10 (118) Adelaide Oval Report
Saturday 2 May (2:10 pm) Glenelg 7.12 (54) def. by South Adelaide 11.10 (76) Stratarama Stadium (crowd: 1,784) Report
Saturday 2 May (2:10 pm) Central District 2.10 (22) def. by Norwood 10.11 (71) X Convenience Oval (crowd: 1,477) Report
Sunday 3 May (2:10 pm) West Adelaide 9.11 (65) def. Sturt 8.13 (61) Hisense Stadium (crowd: 1,582) Report
Sunday 3 May (2:10 pm) North Adelaide 3.10 (28) def. by Woodville-West Torrens 15.7 (97) Revo Fitness Oval (crowd: 1,973) Report

Round 6

Round 6
Saturday 9 May (1:30 pm) Norwood 21.8 (134) def. West Adelaide 4.7 (31) Centenary Oval (crowd: 1,467) Report
Saturday 9 May (2:10 pm) Port Adelaide 13.6 (84) def. Central District 12.7 (79) Alberton Oval (crowd: 1,167) Report
Saturday 9 May (2:10 pm) South Adelaide 12.5 (77) def. by North Adelaide 15.9 (99) Magain Stadium (crowd: 891) Report
Saturday 9 May (2:10 pm) Woodville-West Torrens 7.10 (52) def. by Glenelg 11.9 (75) Maughan Thiem Kia Oval (crowd: 1,484) Report
Saturday 9 May (2:10 pm) Sturt 18.9 (117) def. Adelaide 10.9 (69) Thomas Farms Oval (crowd: 2,438) Report

Round 7

Round 7
Saturday 23 May (2:10 pm) North Adelaide 7.6 (48) def. by Norwood 18.9 (117) Revo Fitness Oval Report
Saturday 23 May (2:10 pm) Sturt 15.15 (105) def. Central District 4.7 (31) Thomas Farms Oval Report
Saturday 23 May (2:10 pm) South Adelaide 14.9 (93) def. West Adelaide 9.14 (68) Magain Stadium Report
Saturday 23 May (2:10 pm) Glenelg 10.14 (74) def. by Adelaide 12.9 (81) Stratarama Stadium Report
Saturday 23 May (2:10 pm) Woodville-West Torrens 20.9 (129) def. Port Adelaide 6.7 (43) Maughan Thiem Kia Oval Report

Round 8

Round 8
Saturday 30 May (2:10 pm) Central District 7.14 (56) def. West Adelaide 6.10 (46) X Convenience Oval Report
Sunday 31 May (2:10 pm) South Adelaide 11.8 (74) def. by Sturt 15.13 (103) Magain Stadium Report
Sunday 31 May (2:10 pm) Norwood 13.15 (93) def. Woodville-West Torrens 7.7 (49) Coopers Stadium Report
Sunday 31 May (2:10 pm) North Adelaide 5.11 (41) def. by Glenelg 13.8 (86) Revo Fitness Oval Report

Round 9

Round 9
Saturday 6 June (2:10 pm) Woodville-West Torrens 9.11 (65) def. Central District 8.11 (59) Maughan Thiem Kia Oval Report
Saturday 6 June (2:10 pm) West Adelaide 8.8 (56) def. by North Adelaide 8.13 (61) Hisense Stadium Report
Saturday 6 June (2:10 pm) South Adelaide 10.6 (66) def. by Adelaide 17.8 (110) Magain Stadium Report
Saturday 6 June (2:10 pm) Glenelg 17.9 (111) def. Port Adelaide 9.8 (62) Stratarama Stadium Report
Monday 8 June (2:10 pm) Sturt 12.7 (79) def. by Norwood 13.4 (82) Thomas Farms Oval Report

Round 10

Round 10
Saturday 13 June (2:10 pm) North Adelaide 12.8 (80) def. Adelaide 12.7 (79) Revo Fitness Oval Report
Saturday 13 June (2:10 pm) Woodville-West Torrens 8.11 (59) def. South Adelaide 3.4 (22) Maughan Thiem Kia Oval Report
Sunday 14 June (2:10 pm) Port Adelaide 11.11 (77) def. by West Adelaide 12.14 (86) Alberton Oval Report

Round 11

Round 11
Saturday 20 June (2:10 pm) Central District 9.10 (64) def. by Glenelg 10.11 (71) X Convenience Oval Report
Sunday 21 June (2:10 pm) Sturt 17.9 (111) def. Port Adelaide 10.9 (69) Thomas Farms Oval Report
Sunday 21 June (2:10 pm) Norwood 19.7 (121) def. Adelaide 7.13 (55) Coopers Stadium Report

Round 12

Round 12
Saturday 27 June (2:10 pm) Glenelg 11.11 (77) def. Sturt 10.6 (66) Stratarama Stadium Report
Saturday 27 June (2:10 pm) North Adelaide 8.7 (55) def. by Central District 10.16 (76) Revo Fitness Oval Report
Saturday 27 June (2:10 pm) West Adelaide 14.7 (91) def. Woodville-West Torrens 7.7 (49) Hisense Stadium Report
Saturday 27 June (3:10 pm) Port Adelaide 12.5 (77) def. by Adelaide 19.15 (129) Adelaide Oval Report
Sunday 28 June (2:10 pm) South Adelaide 7.12 (54) def. by Norwood 20.10 (130) Magain Stadium Report

Round 13

Round 13
Saturday 4 July (1:10 pm) Central District 8.8 (56) def. by Adelaide 16.10 (106 X Convenience Oval Report
Saturday 4 July (2:10 pm) Woodville-West Torrens 13.4 (82) def. North Adelaide 7.4 (46) Maughan Thiem Kia Oval Report
Saturday 4 July (2:10 pm) Sturt 10.14 (74) def. West Adelaide 10.10 (70) Thomas Farms Oval Report
Saturday 4 July (2:10 pm) Port Adelaide 6.6 (42) def. by South Adelaide 16.8 (104) Alberton Oval Report
Saturday 4 July (4:30 pm) Norwood 8.8 (56) def. by Glenelg 9.10 (64) Coopers Stadium Report

Round 14

Round 14
Saturday 11 July (2:10 pm) Woodville-West Torrens 5.4 (34) def. by Sturt 9.6 (60) Maughan Thiem Kia Oval Report
Saturday 11 July (2:10 pm) West Adelaide 7.9 (51) def. by Norwood 10.8 (68) Richmond Oval Report
Saturday 11 July (4:10 pm) Central District 12.14 (86) def. South Adelaide 2.8 (20) Barossa Park Report
Sunday 12 July (2:10 pm) Glenelg 8.13 (61) def. Adelaide 8.10 (58) Stratarama Stadium Report
Sunday 12 July (2:20 pm) North Adelaide 13.11 (89) def. Port Adelaide 4.8 (32) Revo Fitness Oval Report

Round 15

Round 15
Saturday 18 July (2:10 pm) West Adelaide 12.11 (83) def. by Adelaide 13.16 (94) Hisense Stadium Report
Saturday 18 July (7:10 pm) Port Adelaide 15.5 (95) def. Woodville-West Torrens 10.11 (71) Alberton Oval Report
Sunday 19 July (2:10 pm) South Adelaide 7.5 (47) def. by Glenelg 17.6 (108) Magain Stadium Report
Sunday 19 July (2:10 pm) Sturt 12.15 (87) def. North Adelaide 10.12 (72) Thomas Farms Oval Report
Sunday 19 July (2:40 pm) Norwood 14.13 (97) def. Central District 13.6 (84) Coopers Stadium Report

Round 16

Round 16
Saturday 1 August (2:10 pm) Central District 4.11 (35) def. by Sturt 13.7 (85) X Convenience Oval Report
Saturday 1 August (2:10 pm) West Adelaide 11.9 (75) def. North Adelaide 6.8 (44) Hisense Stadium Report
Saturday 1 August (2:10 pm) South Adelaide 16.7 (103) def. Adelaide 13.7 (85) Magain Stadium Report
Saturday 1 August (2:40 pm) Glenelg 15.17 (107) def. Woodville-West Torrens 6.6 (42) Stratarama Stadium Report
Sunday 2 August (1:10 pm) Port Adelaide 3.8 (26) def. by Norwood 14.12 (96) Alberton Oval Report

Round 17

Round 17
Saturday 8 August (12:40 pm) Norwood 21.10 (136) def. North Adelaide 9.6 (60) Coopers Stadium Report
Saturday 8 August (2:10 pm) Sturt 19.11 (125) def. South Adelaide 11.10 (76) Thomas Farms Oval Report
Saturday 8 August (2:30 pm) Glenelg 11.10 (76) def. Central District 10.12 (72) Stratarama Stadium Report
Sunday 9 August (1:10 pm) Woodville-West Torrens 11.11 (77) def. Adelaide 10.10 (70) Maughan Thiem Kia Oval Report
Sunday 9 August (2:10 pm) West Adelaide 19.14 (128) def. Port Adelaide 3.5 (23) Hisense Stadium Report

Round 18

Round 18
Friday 14 August (7:40 pm) Norwood 16.10 (106) def. Adelaide 7.10 (52) Coopers Stadium Report
Saturday 15 August (1:10 pm) Port Adelaide 11.8 (74) def. by Sturt 17.11 (113) Alberton Oval Report
Saturday 15 August (2:10 pm) North Adelaide 6.9 (45) def. by South Adelaide 14.12 (96) Revo Fitness Oval Report
Saturday 15 August (2:10 pm) Central District 10.6 (66) def. Woodville-West Torrens 9.9 (63) X Convenience Oval Report
Saturday 15 August (2:10 pm) West Adelaide 8.8 (56) def. Glenelg 5.7 (37) Hisense Stadium Report

Round 19

Round 19
Saturday 22 August (2:10 pm) Glenelg 15.10 (100) def. North Adelaide 8.11 (59) Stratarama Stadium Report
Saturday 22 August (2:10 pm) Central District 19.10 (124) def. Port Adelaide 9.5 (59) X Convenience Oval Report
Saturday 22 August (2:10 pm) Woodville-West Torrens 9.4 (58) def. by Norwood 17.8 (110) Maughan Thiem Kia Oval Report
Saturday 22 August (2:10 pm) West Adelaide 7.9 (51) def. by South Adelaide 11.6 (72) Richmond Oval Report
Saturday 22 August (2:10 pm) Sturt 16.9 (105) def. Adelaide 11.11 (77) Thomas Farms Oval Report

Ladder

Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Norwood 18 15 3 0 1668 968 63.28 30 Finals series
2 Glenelg 18 15 3 0 1420 1076 56.89 30
3 Sturt 18 13 5 0 1631 1200 57.61 26
4 Woodville-West Torrens 18 10 8 0 1319 1245 51.44 20
5 West Adelaide 18 8 9 1 1263 1276 49.74 17
6 South Adelaide 18 8 10 0 1270 1479 46.20 16
7 Adelaide (R) 18 7 11 0 1458 1541 48.62 14
8 Central District 18 5 12 1 1213 1354 47.25 11
9 North Adelaide 18 5 13 0 1101 1530 41.85 10
10 Port Adelaide (R) 18 3 15 0 1124 1798 38.47 6
Source: sanfl.com.au
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

(R) = Reserves for AFL Seniors

Finals series

Week one – Qualifying and elimination finals

Elimination final
Sunday 30 August (12:15 pm) Woodville-West Torrens v West Adelaide Adelaide Oval
Qualifying final
Sunday 30 August (3:15 pm) Glenelg v Sturt Adelaide Oval

Week two – Semi-finals

First Semi-final
Sunday 6 September (12:15 pm) Loser QF v Winner EF Adelaide Oval
Second Semi-final
Sunday 6 September (3:15 pm) Norwood v Winner QF Adelaide Oval

Week three – Preliminary final

Preliminary final
Sunday 13 September (3:15 pm) Loser SF2 v Winner SF1 Adelaide Oval

Week four – Grand Final

2026 SANFL Grand Final
Sunday 20 September (2:30 pm) Winner SF2 v Winner PF Adelaide Oval



Q1
Q2
Q3
Final



Jack Oatey Medal:
Television broadcast: Seven Network

Awards

TBC – TBC votes (TBC)
Lachlan Hosie – 62 goals (Glenelg)
  • Reserves Premiers
TBC
  • Under 18s Premiers
TBC
  • Under 16s Premiers
TBC

Sources:[4]

Representative matches

SANFL vs VFL

For the third successive season, an interstate representative match was arranged against the Victorian Football League (VFL). As was the case with the 2025 fixture, the match was timed to coincide with the AFL's Gather Round fixtures in Adelaide. The match was held as part of a double-header with the equivalent women's interstate match.[5]

2026 State Game
Saturday, 11 April (2:30pm ACST) SANFL def. by VFL Stratarama Stadium [6][7]
5.4 (34)
7.9 (51)
12.10 (82)
14.14 (98)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
3.3 (21)
7.8 (50)
11.11 (77)
15.13 (103)
Fos Williams Medal (SANFL) & Frank Johnson Medal (VFL): Tom Lewis (SANFL) & Riley Bonner (VFL)
Television broadcast: Seven Network & AFL.com.au[8]
Scully 3
McBean, Allan, Doyle 2
Hosie, Emmett, Beattie, Murley, Ryan 1
Goals Podhajski 4
Clarke, Hagan, Brew, Tarrant 2
Hately, Billings, Declase 1
Lewis, Ryan, Scharenberg, Scully, Doyle Best Bonner, Hately, Bell, Parks, Podhajski

South Australian team

2026 SANFL State Team vs. Victoria[9][10][11]
B: 4. Cooper Murley
(Norwood)
19. Will Coomblas
(Sturt)
23. Oscar Clavarino
(South Adelaide)
HB: 3. Jonty Scharenberg
(Glenelg)
24. Zac Becker
(Sturt)
16. Luca Whitelum
(Central District)
C: 1. Frank Szekely
(North Adelaide)
12. Tom Lewis
(Sturt)
22. Matt Allen
(Glenelg)
HF: 5. Sam Conforti
(Sturt)
27. Tom Scully
(West Adelaide)
17. Tom Emmett
(Sturt)
F: 20. Lachlan Hosie
(Glenelg)
10. Liam McBean (c)
(Glenelg)
6. Max Beattie
(Woodville-West Torrens)
Foll: 25. Amos Doyle
(Sturt)
13. Baynen Lowe
(Norwood)
14. Oliver Davis
(South Adelaide)
Int: 21. Finn Heard
(Norwood)
9. Kobe Ryan
(West Adelaide)
11. Jed McEntee
(Sturt)
18. Aaron Francis
(Norwood)
7. Martin Frederick
(Sturt)

Coach: Martin Mattner
(Sturt)
Emg: 8. Corey Lyons
(Glenelg)
26. Alex Van Wyk
(North Adelaide)
2. Ethan Grace
(Woodville-West Torrens)

WAFL vs SANFL

For the eighth successive season, an interstate representative match was fixtured between the SANFL and West Australian Football League (WAFL), with the two teams playing for the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup.[12][13]

2026 State Game
Saturday, 16 May (3:10pm AWST) WAFL def. SANFL Sullivan Logistics Stadium (crowd: 3,671) [14][15]
4.1 (25)
9.4 (58)
11.9 (75)
14.14 (98)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.2 (14)
3.3 (21)
4.6 (30)
9.8 (62)
Simpson Medal (WAFL) & Fos Williams Medal (SANFL): Callan England (WAFL) & Beau Thomas (SANFL)
Television broadcast: Seven Network[16]
Hinder 3
Hunter, Reidy 2
Bevan, Clarke, Davis, Jones, Mainwaring, Mayo, Sears 1
Goals A. Grace, Thomas 3
Emmett, Francis, Herbert 1
England, Bevan, Turner, Mayo, Ameduri, Hinder, Reidy Best Thomas, Lowe, E. Grace, A. Grace, Francis

South Australian team

2026 SANFL State Team vs. Western Australia[17]
B: 8. Joshua Hone
(Sturt)
21. Finn Heard
(Norwood)
25. Beau Thomas
(Central District)
HB: 12. Kade Herbert
(Woodville-West Torrens)
17. Tom Emmett
(Sturt)
6. Max Beattie
(Woodville-West Torrens)
C: 19. Jacob Kennerley
(Norwood)
10. Tom Lewis (c)
(Sturt)
7. Martin Frederick
(Sturt)
HF: 20. Jez McLennan
(Port Adelaide)
18. Aaron Francis
(Norwood)
16. Luca Whitlum
(Central District)
F: 4. Cooper Murley
(Norwood)
23. Thomas Donnelly
(Norwood)
2. Ethan Grace
(Woodville-West Torrens)
Foll: 27. Caleb May
(West Adelaide)
13. Baynen Lowe
(Norwood)
3. Ted Clohesy
(Woodville-West Torrens)
Int: 15. Aiden Grace
(Central District)
5. Sam Conforti
(Sturt)
14. Finn Emilie-Brennan
(South Adelaide)
24. Lukas Cooke
(Woodville-West Torrens)
9. Nik Rokahr
(Norwood)

Coach: Martin Mattner
(Sturt)
Emg: 26. Alex Van Wyk
(North Adelaide)
11. Jack Delean
(South Adelaide)
1. Patrick Parnell
(Glenelg)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Zac Milbank (10 December 2025). "2026 Hostplus SANFL League Fixture Released". sanfl.com.au.
  2. ↑ "SANFL Fixture Reveal: Blockbuster start to 2026 season". The Advertiser. 10 December 2025.
  3. ↑ "Around the state leagues: Dee's day out, Blue stars, axed Lion responds". afl.com.au. 24 May 2026.
  4. ↑ Zac Milbank (23 August 2026). "Lachie Hosie wins 2026 Ken Farmer Medal". sanfl.com.au.
  5. ↑ Jake Beddard (10 December 2025). "State leagues exhibition games set for AFL Gather Round 2026". The Sporting News. Archived from the original on 22 December 2025.
  6. ↑ Luke Marchioro (11 April 2026). "West End State Team falls to VFL". sanfl.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 April 2026.
  7. ↑ "VFL defends title against oldest foe". afl.com.au. 11 April 2026. Archived from the original on 18 April 2026.
  8. ↑ "Pinnuck and Tierney appointed Big V captains". afl.com.au. 9 April 2026. Archived from the original on 10 April 2026. The 2026 State Games will be available via AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App...The men's match will also be broadcast by the Seven Network via 7mate in South Australia and Victoria, and via 7plus nationally.
  9. ↑ "TEAMS: SANFL vs VFL State Game". afl.com.au. 9 April 2026. Archived from the original on 10 April 2026.
  10. ↑ Zac Milbank (25 February 2026). "SANFL reveals State Coaches for 2026". sanfl.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 April 2026.
  11. ↑ "West End State Team to confront VFL in Gather Round". sanfl.com.au. 9 April 2026. Archived from the original on 10 April 2026. Glenelg premiership hero Liam McBean will again lead the West End State team into battle against the VFL after being confirmed as the Croweaters' captain.
  12. ↑ "2026 Hostplus SANFL League Fixture Released". sanfl.com.au. 24 December 2025. Archived from the original on 1 February 2026. The West End State team will have its sights set on regaining the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup in the KIA State Game against the WAFL on the weekend of Saturday May 16 after it hosts the VFL at Stratarama Stadium on Saturday April 11 as part of the AFL Gather Round festivities.
  13. ↑ Jordan McArdle (17 April 2026). "Historic Kia State Game triple-header locked in". WA Football. Archived from the original on 20 April 2026.
  14. ↑ Zac Milbank (16 May 2026). "West End State Team defeated by WAFL in KIA State Game". sanfl.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 May 2026.
  15. ↑ Jordan McArdle (16 May 2026). "Kia WAFL State Team beat SANFL at home for first time in 11 years". wafootball.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 May 2026.
  16. ↑ Jordan McArdle (14 May 2026). "Kia WAFL State Team locked in for SANFL blockbuster". wafootball.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 May 2026. Western Australia will host South Australia from 3.10pm, with the game live and free on 7 and 7Plus, while tickets at just $10 from INTIX.
  17. ↑ "West End State Team named for 2026 KIA State Game". sanfl.com.au. 14 May 2026. Archived from the original on 27 May 2026.