The 2014 SANFL premiership race is wide open in what promises to be an enthralling finals series beginning at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Adelaide was unable to continue its late tilt towards September after successive losses to Sturt and Norwood bundled the Crows out of finals calculations.

Port Magpies earned the week off by finishing minor premier despite a surprising final-round loss to bottom-placed Glenelg last week.

Norwood v Sturt
Qualifying Final – Saturday Aug 30
4.40pm at Adelaide Oval

A tantalising twilight contest looms in the qualifying final to kick off the 2014 SANFL finals series.

Both the Redlegs and Double Blues loom as genuine premiership contenders, particularly considering Port Magpies’ stumbles in recent times.

Norwood are warm favourites to continue its dominant dynasty with a third-straight flag in 2014, with the Redlegs’ last premiership hat-trick dating back to 1889.

Class oozes from the Redlegs’ list wherever you look, with the finals-hardened experience of its roster a certain advantage on the big stage at Adelaide Oval.

But coach Ben Warren will be sweating on the fitness of Magarey Medal contender Matthew Panos (hamstring) and vice-captain Jace Bode (knee) who suffered minor injuries in the Redlegs’ final outing of the year at The Parade.

Sturt has also enjoyed a barnstorming 2014 season and should not be written off on Saturday afternoon.

With twin towers Matthew Duldig and Michael Coad in near career-best form, the Double Blues certainly have the firepower up forward to challenge the red-hot Redlegs. The pair has kicked 22 goals between them in Sturt’s last three games.

The possible return of defender Kory Beard could bolster the Double Blues’ chances, while Zane Kirkwood, Angus Kurtze and ex-Crow Richard Tambling could hold the keys to victory if the trio can fire on Saturday.

The sides have split the honours in their two previous meetings this season, with the home side taking the points on both occasions. The team that settles first on the big stage will go a long way towards winning the contest.

South Adelaide v Woodville-West Torrens
Elimination Final – Saturday Aug 30
7.30pm at Adelaide Oval

After being one of the genuine flag fancies in the first half of the season, Woodville-West Torrens held onto fifth spot with a 63-point victory over the Bloods last week.

But a big cloud still surrounds the club’s form heading into Saturday night’s elimination final against South Adelaide.

The Eagles’ win over West in the final round ended a worrying run of four consecutive losses, with three of those defeats against non-finalists and the other at the hands of their opponent this week.

With ex-Panther Michael Wundke and Andrew Ainger up forward supplied by the experience of Luke Jarrad, Luke Powell, James Boyd and Scott Lewis, the Eagles always look a dangerous side on paper.

But can they put it into practice this week when it matters most?

The Panthers on the other hand have been one of the surprise packets of the season.

Goalkicking machine Brett Eddy has led the charge, and was unlucky to finish runner-up in the Ken Farmer Medal race after leading the award all season.

Joel Cross, Nick Liddle, Brent Macleod and ruckman Keegan Brooksby will be pivotal to South’s chances on Saturday night if the Panthers are to continue the charge towards the club’s first flag in 50 years.

With wins over top-placed Port Adelaide, Sturt and Woodville-West Torrens in the past month, the Panthers’ form line looks far more convincing than their opponents this weekend.

But will South Adelaide’s game hold up under finals pressure at Adelaide Oval?