The 2026 APEX Steel Women’s National Premier League South Australia season kicked off on the 6th of March, and both Grand Finalists announced themselves in emphatic fashion. From the opening round, West Adelaide and Salisbury Inter established themselves as the two teams to beat, ultimately finishing first and second on the table
For Salisbury Inter, finishing second meant a Qualifying Final against third-placed WT Birkalla and the beginning of a finals campaign that would ultimately see them earn another opportunity to claim championship glory. Salisbury Inter opened the scoring in the 43rd minute of their Qualifying Final against WT Birkalla, with star striker Marcella Brooks finding the back of the net during her first season with the club. WT Birkalla refused to go quietly, with Alanah Ursino restoring parity shortly before the hour mark. However, their comeback lasted less than a minute. Brooks struck again almost immediately, putting Salisbury Inter back in front and restoring their advantage. The two goals from Brooks proved decisive, with Inter holding on to secure a 2–1 victory and book a place in the Major Semi Final.
Waiting for them was the team that had finished top of the table West Adelaide. West Adelaide entered the second round of the finals with the advantage of a first-round bye, progressing directly to the Major Semi Final against Salisbury Inter. With a place in the Grand Final on the line, the clash at ServiceFM Stadium promised to be a hard-fought battle between two sides that had established themselves as the best teams in the competition throughout the regular season. West Adelaide were forced to find alternative avenues in attack without their leading goalscorer Niina Yamada, while Salisbury Inter looked to the experience and quality that had carried them through the regular season. The contest was ultimately decided by a single moment, in the 27th minute, an uncharacteristic error from West Adelaide goalkeeper Erin Murphy saw her play the ball directly into the path of WNPL star Maria Jose Rojas. Rojas showed the composure expected of a player of her calibre, lifting the ball over the oncoming defender and Murphy before watching it nestle underneath the crossbar, one goal was all Salisbury Inter needed. Despite West Adelaide's efforts to find an equaliser, Inter held firm to secure a 1–0 victory and, in the process, book their place in the 2026 APEX Steel WNPL Grand Final.
With Salisbury Inter safely through to the Grand Final, West Adelaide faced WT Birkalla in the Preliminary Final with everything on the line. There was no margin for error. For the losing side, a season of hard work would come to an immediate end. West Adelaide opened the scoring through Emily Hodgson, who netted her first goal of the season in just her fifth appearance in the APEX Steel WNPL. WT Birkalla responded after the break, with Isabel Hodgson finding the equaliser in the 54th minute to set up a tense final period. But when West Adelaide needed someone to step forward, their captain answered the call, Nicole Blackett produced a composed left-footed strike towards the far post to restore West Adelaide's lead.
From there, the Westies continued to pile on the pressure, creating a barrage of opportunities as they searched for the goal that would put the result beyond doubt, that pressure ultimately proved decisive. West Adelaide had done enough and earnt their place in the Grand Final, setting up a rematch of the Major Semi Final and another opportunity to overcome Salisbury Inter on the biggest stage.
Friday, 4 September, will see Salisbury Inter take on West Adelaide at ServiceFM Stadium in the 2026 APEX Steel WNPL Grand Final. While the two sides have already produced an enthralling finals campaign, the history between these clubs adds another layer of intrigue to the contest.
The WNPL SA Grand Final has produced some of South Australia's most memorable moments since the competition was established in 2016, and this year's decider will add another chapter to the history of both clubs. For Salisbury Inter, the opportunity is particularly significant the club has appeared in three previous WNPL SA Grand Finals and has won all three.
Salisbury Inter have built an impressive Grand Final record in recent years, winning all three of their previous appearances. Their first championship came in 2021 against West Adelaide, with Inter producing a remarkable late comeback to win 3–2 after trailing twice during the match. Two years later, Salisbury defeated Football SA NTC 7–6 on penalties after the Grand Final finished 2–2, before claiming their third championship in 2024 with a 2–0 victory over West Adelaide. That result was particularly impressive given West had defeated Inter by a combined 9–0 during the regular season.
Those three championships from three Grand Final appearances place Salisbury Inter alongside Adelaide City as one of only two clubs to have won three WNPL SA titles. More remarkably, Inter remain unbeaten in Grand Finals, giving them a perfect record on the biggest stage.
West Adelaide have also been one of the competition's most consistent sides, reaching five previous Grand Finals. Their first appearance came in 2017 against Adelaide City, followed by another meeting with City in 2019 and a Grand Final against Salisbury Inter in 2021. West finally claimed their first championship in 2022 by defeating Adelaide City, before returning to the decider in 2024, where they fell 2–0 to Salisbury.
The 2026 Grand Final will be the third time Salisbury Inter and West Adelaide have met for the WNPL SA championship, with Salisbury winning both previous encounters. For West Adelaide, Friday presents an opportunity to rewrite that history and claim a second championship, while Salisbury will be looking to maintain their perfect Grand Final record and add a fourth title to their growing legacy. When the two best teams of the 2026 season meet at ServiceFM Stadium, history will be on the line once again.
