Our five SANFL experts expect same two grand finalists as 2016, same bottom two as last year

A GRAND final rematch is on the cards in the SANFL and the bottom two will be the same as last year – if our experts’ pre-season predictions prove correct.

Our SANFL experts are predicting Sturt and Woodville-West Torrens to face off in the grand final this year – just as they did in this photo from 2016. Picture: Sarah Reed.

A 2016 grand final rematch is on the cards in the SANFL and the bottom two will be the same as last year.

Those are the predictions of our state-league experts ahead of the start of the new season, which kicks off with three games tomorrow on Good Friday.

All five SANFL reporters tipped reigning premier Sturt and 2016 runner-up Woodville-West Torrens to finish first or second this year, and West Adelaide and North Adelaide to wind up in the competition’s cellar.

Two believe the Eagles will prevail this time around, while three are backing a Double Blues three-peat.

The Bloods (three) are the most popular choice to take home the wooden spoon, ahead of the Roosters (two).

Three of the five writers think South Adelaide can bounce back into the finals under new coach Jarrad Wright, while two reckon first-year Glenelg mentor Mark Stone can steer the Tigers into the top five.

Four experts picked Norwood and Port Adelaide, which was last year’s runner-up, to make the top five but only one had 2017 semi-finalist Central District in there, following the departures of key trio Nick Holman, Chris Jansen and Josh Glenn.

None of the five expected Adelaide to reach the major round.

Our SANFL writers are tipping 2017 bottom two North Adelaide and West Adelaide to finish in those spots again this year. Picture: Bianca De Marchi.

Here are our reporters’ pre-season ladder predictions.

WARREN PARTLAND

1. Sturt

2. Woodville-West Torrens

3. Norwood

4. Port Adelaide

5. South Adelaide

6. Glenelg

7. Adelaide

8. Central District

9. West Adelaide

10. North Adelaide

MATT TURNER

1. Woodville-West Torrens

2. Sturt

3. South Adelaide

4. Port Adelaide

5. Glenelg

6. Central District

7. Norwood

8. Adelaide

9. West Adelaide

10. North Adelaide

ROB GREENWOOD

1. Woodville-West Torrens

2. Sturt

3. South Adelaide

4. Norwood

5. Central District

6. Glenelg

7. Port Adelaide

8. Adelaide

9. North Adelaide

10. West Adelaide

DANI ABBRACCIAVENTO

1. Sturt

2. Woodville-West Torrens

3. Norwood

4. Port Adelaide

5. South Adelaide

6. Glenelg

7. North Adelaide

8. Central District

9. Adelaide

10. West Adelaide

PATRICK KEAM

1. Sturt

2. Woodville-West Torrens

3. Norwood

4. Glenelg

5. Port Adelaide

6. South Adelaide

7. Adelaide

8. Central District

9. North Adelaide

10. West Adelaide