Reigning premier McLaren Districts and Myponga-Sellicks couldn’t be separated as they played out a draw during round one action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) at McLaren Vale on Saturday. Myponga-Sellicks led by five points at quarter time, 13 points at halftime, and four points at the last change. McLaren Districts kicked four goals to three in the last quarter to level the scores 12.3 (75) to 11.9 (75). Lachlan Mathews kicked three goals for the Eagles, while Connor Sampson and Darren Shillabeer kicked three goals each for the Mudlarks. Best players for the Eagles were Lachlan Matthews, Lachlan Camm, Luke Mitton, Ashley Goodieson and Sam Venning. Ben Kennedy, Dylan Lang, Luke Whitford, Jayden Heinze and Cam Dahlitz were the best players for Myponga-Sellicks.

Encounter Bay started the season well with a solid 23-point victory over 2023 runner-up Willunga at Encounter Bay. The Bays led at every change to win 11.10 (76) to 7.11 (53). Ben Davis (4), Tyson Neale (3) and Kyron Pepper (3) were the leading goalkickers for the Bays, while Tyson Hoffmann kicked two goals for the Demons. Ryan Pearsons, Davis, Callum Tonkin, Kenn Campbell and Kyron Pepper were the best players for the Bays, while Scott Brown, Brad Haskett and Tyson Schmid were among the best players for Willunga.

Victor Harbor defeated Strathalbyn by 83 points to open their 2024 season in style at Strathalbyn on Saturday. After a tight first half, where the ‘Roos led by 15 points, ‘Victor’ put the game away with 13 goals to three in the second half to win 20.13 (133) to 7.10 (52). Sam Basham (5), Jackson Elmes (4) and Sam Overall (3) were the leading goalkickers for the ‘Roos, while Ben Simounds kicked four goals for the Roosters. Co-captain Jesse McKinnon was best-on-ground for ‘Victor’ and he was well supported by Zac Dowling, Dylan Kleinig, Ben Heaslip and Basham. Best for Strathalbyn included Tay Crawford-Sandison, Thomas Welk and Mitchell Godfrey.

Langhorne Creek had a big 133-point win against Goolwa/Port Elliot to start their season on Saturday. The Hawks led by 38 points at halftime, before kicking a further 15 goals without reply in the second half to win 25.17 (167) to 5.4 (34). 

N.B. No goalkickers or best players provided at the time of publication.

Mt Compass got their 100th year celebrations off to a great start with a 118-point win against Yankalilla. ‘Compass’ led by 25 points at quarter time, 51 points at halftime, and 60 points at the last change, before kicking nine goals to zero in the last term to win 21.13 (139) to 3.3 (21). Tom Pinyon kicked six goals for Mt Compass and he was ably supported by Ziggy Vitkunas who kicked five majors in a best-on-ground performance. Other good players for the Bulldogs were Lochie Nash, Brady O’Hanlon, Rilee Endersby and Cody Connor. The Tigers were best served by Tyler Athanasos, Samuel Crawford and Jacob Parsons.

Ladder (after round 1)

Mt Compass 2, Langhorne Creek 2, Victor Harbor 2, Encounter Bay 2, McLaren Districts 1, Myponga-Sellicks 1, Willunga 0, Strathalbyn 0, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0, Yankalilla 0.

Round 2 fixtures (home team named first)

Encounter Bay v Langhorne Creek

Victor Harbor v McLaren Districts

Mt Compass v Myponga-Sellicks

Strathalbyn v Willunga

Yankalilla v Goolwa/Port Elliot