Encounter Bay kept their top-three hopes alive with an important 15-point win at home over reigning premier McLaren Districts during round 17 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday. The Bays will travel to Myponga this Sayurday with the winner securing the double chance. On Saturday, McLaren Districts got off to a good start to take a 14-point lead to quarter time. The Bays hit back in the second quarter with four answered goals to lead by 15 points at halftime. The second half was an even affair with Encounter Bay winning 11.10 (76) to 9.7 (61). Tyler Baldock and Kieran Garrett kicked three goals each for the Bays, white Cody Ellison also kicked three majors for the Eagles. Best players for Encounter Bay included Hamish Tonkin, Elijah Horrocks, Garrett, Marcus Lippett, Jack Crispin and Tyson Neale. McLaren Districts was best served by Jarrad Bollenhagen, Lachlan Camm, Harrison Evans, Tom Fenoughty, Connor Fitt and Ellison.

Victor Harbor secured the minor premiership with a comprehensive 86-point win at Langhorne Creek. ‘Victor’ jumped out the blocks with a stunning 10.3 to 0.2 opening term, before going on to win 20.16 (136) to 6.14 (50). Sam Basham kicked seven goals for the ‘Roos to give him 85 majors for the season, while Mitch Cleggett kicked two goals for the Hawks. Best players for Victor Harbor were Ben Heaslip, Zac Dowling, Jackson Elmes, Dylan Kleinig, Jesse McKinnon and Basham. For Langhorne Creek, their best included Sam Mckenzie, Mitch Cleggett, William Bruce, Caleb Howell and Tom Derham.

Myponga-Sellicks stayed in third spot courtesy of an easy 124-point win against Goolwa-Port Elliot at Goolwa. The Mudlarks led by 74 points at halftime, before kicking a further 11 goals to four in the second half to win 22.20 (152) to 4.4 (28). Darren Shillabeer kicked eight goals for the Mudlarks (85 for the season), while Jake Spinks slotted six majors. Tom Fergusson kicked two goals for the Magpies. Ben Kennedy, Anthony Kempster, Shillabeer, Jake Spinks, Jayden Heinze and Kain Spinks were named best for Myponga-Sellicks, while best for the Magpies included Levi Baillie, Brock Donaldson, Ryan Carnelly, Fred Nissen and Ryan Pearce.

Strathalbyn won their sixth game for the season following a comfortable 67-point win at Yankalilla on Saturday. The Roosters won every quarter on route to a 18.12 (120) to 8.5 (53) triumph. Strathalbyn spearhead Ben Simounds kicked five goals, while Joel Kay kicked three goals for Yankalilla. Best players for ‘Strath’ included Cooper Machin, Simounds, Richard O'Grady, Ethan Fox, Brock Keding and Marc Elliott. Yankalilla was best served by Kay, Brad Fitzgerald, Mackenzie Ryan, Lachlan Whittlesea and Tyler Athanasos.

Willunga also notched their sixth win of the season after travelling to Mt Compass and coming away with a 35-point victory. The Demons won every quarter to post a 12.5 (77) to 5.12 (42) win. Ryan Sherry (3), Sean Beath (2) and Dylan Draper (2) were the multiple goalkickers for Willunga, while their best players included Braden Altus, Sam Tregenza, Tyson Hoffmann, Draper, Beath and Brett Miegel. Best players for the Bulldogs were Tom Vitkunas, Brent Creek, Adam Hunter, Klaus Simons, Tom Pinyon and Jayden Weetman.

Ladder (after round 17)

Victor Harbor 30, McLaren Districts 27, Myponga-Sellicks 27, Encounter Bay 26, Langhorne Creek 18, Willunga 12, Mt Compass 12, Strathalbyn 12, Yankalilla 6, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0.

Round 18 fixtures (home team named first)

Myponga-Sellicks v Encounter Bay

Willunga v Goolwa/Port Elliot

McLaren Districts v Langhorne Creek 

Strathalbyn v Mt Compass

Victor Harbor v Yankalilla