From the Sidelines with Spyro - Round 8 Review

The penultimate round of the season delivered season-saving wins, major upsets, and a stunning result that handed one team its first loss since 2021. After eight rounds of hard-hitting, and pulsating action, the playoff picture is finally clear, with two programs officially eliminated from contention. All that remains is to determine the seeding.

All that and more covered in this Round 8 edition of From the Sidelines with Spyro. 

Juniors: South City Chiefs 3-4 defeat Port Adelaide Spartans 0-7

Final Score: 36-0

The Chiefs entered Round 8 in control of their own destiny desperately needing to win. They did just that, taking care of the struggling Spartans with a shutout victory. The reigning champions will once again be taking part in playoff action, with hopes of achieving an incredible sixth title in a row still very much alive.

Unfortunately for the Spartans all focus shifts to the offseason, and how they can improve heading into 2026. They have just one round left to avoid an 0-8 finish, but it won’t be easy as they close out their season against a rampaging Eagles team.

Seniors: Port Adelaide Spartans 2-5 defeat South City Chiefs 0-7

Final Score: 66-14

It only took 2 wins for the Spartans to lock in a playoff spot, and they did so by dismantling the Chiefs. The Spartans will look to keep this momentum going into the final round of the regular season, with their eyes firmly on the opportunity to make it back-to-back trips to the Great Southern Bowl.

The Chiefs have struggled all year, but their fight and determination has never wavered. For a team making its return to the Senior football division they can hold their heads high as they have been fighting an uphill battle all year but never quit. They close out their season against the Hogs, it would be an almighty effort to chalk up their first win against them, but one thing is certain, they won’t give in.

Juniors: UniSA Eagles 7-0 defeat Adelaide University Hogs 4-3

Final Score: 38-16

It’s seventh heaven for the Eagles who remain perfect heading into the final week. It was an emphatic statement by them, who now rightfully take their spot as the number 1 seed punching their ticket straight to the Championship game. They have been the best team in the juniors by some distance, removing themselves from the pack early on. I said weeks ago that this felt like a team of destiny, and as they return to the Championship game they will be laser focused on ensuring the result is different from last season.

The Hogs kept pace for a while in the Juniors division, but it was the Round 3 shutout loss to this same Eagles team they changed everything. Playoff football is on the horizon for them, and they will look to regain their early season form against the Chiefs. It’s a mouthwatering encounter for the final game of the year, the Hogs at 4-3 taking on the defending champions at 3-4.

Seniors: UniSA Eagles defeat 6-1 Adelaide University Hogs 6-1

Final Score: 30-8

It’s the result that sent shockwaves across the league. The Hogs entered this contest sitting perfect at 6-0, destroying their opponent's week in and week out, they looked unstoppable. It felt like a forgone conclusion they were moving straight into the Great Southern Bowl. Then the Eagles rolled in an threw a spanner into their plans, handing the Hogs senior side their loss since the 2021 Great Southern Bowl. It is an astonishing stat, and a win that has this Eagles side full of confidence. Not only picking up a season altering win but keeping this high-powered offence to only 8 points whilst putting 30 up of their own, it was complimentary Football at its finest.

For the entire season these teams have been 1 & 2 and heading into the final game of the year the sentiment remains true. Both teams sit at 6-1, the Hogs take on the lowly Chiefs while the Eagles take on the Spartans coming off a win.

If both teams pick up wins and move to 7-1, then it all comes down to style points. How much they can score, and how well their defenses can play to concede the least number of points as possible. All eyes will be on the margin of victory if both teams are to win, that is what it will take for one of these programs to find their path directly to the Great Southern Bowl, and heading into the final game of the season, what more could Football fans ask for.