Encounter Bay moved up to third spot on the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) ladder following their 16-point win against Myponga-Sellicks during round nine action on Saturday. The Bays’ win was set up by a dominant first quarter as they took a 27-point lead at quarter time. They extended their lead out to 32 points by the last change, before the Mudlarks won the last quarter. The final scores were Encounter Bay 10.9 (69) to Myponga-Sellicks 7.11 (53). Tyson Neale and Kyron Pepper kicked two goals each for the Bays, while Darren Shillabeer was the standout forward on the field with six goals for the Mudlarks. Best players for Encounter Bay were Callum Tonkin, James Bradford, Cory Gamble, Jarran Crabb, Elijah Horrocks and Tyler Baldock. Myponga-Sellicks were best served by Ben Kennedy, Darren Shillabeer, Jack Cooper, Mitchell Wilkins, Justin Whitford and Scott Ogilvie.

Victor Harbor rolled to their ninth consecutive win after a comprehensive 126-point victory at Yankalilla on Saturday. Victor Harbor led by 40 points at halftime, before kicking 15 goals to one in the second half to win 24.16 (160) to 5.4 (34). Harry Vincent, Sam Basham, Bryce Gibbs and Jackson Elmes all kicked four goals for the ‘Roos, while Joel Kay kicked two goals for the Tigers. Best players for ‘Victor’ included Matthew Wiese, Jesse McKinnon, Reece Kleinig, Elmes, Zachary Dowling and Kane Cooper. Yankalilla were best served by Tyler Athanasos, Jack Fitzgerald, Bailey Gaskin, Jesse Fitzgerald, William Hogben and Toby Nolan.

Willunga won their second game in a row with a 154-point victory against Goolwa/Port Elliot. The Demons led by 50 points at quarter time, 79 points at halftime, and 125 points at the last change, before winning 32.15 (207) to 8.5 (53). Ryan Sherry had a day out for Willunga with 11 goals, Cam McDonald kicked seven majors, while Daniel Bass chipped in with four goals. Fred Nissen and Brock Donaldson kicked two goals each for the Magpies. Cam McDonald, Sherry,  Sam Renney, Cameron Hutchens, Braden Altus and Bass were named as Willunga’s best players. Fred Nissen, Ryan Carnelly, Kai Iwao, Patrick Grigg, Logan Payne and Dene McKinlay were best for the Magpies.

Strathalbyn kept their finals hopes alive with an 18-point win against Mt Compass. ‘Strath’ led by just three points at the last change, before kicking four goals to two in the last term to win 12.7 (79) to 9.7 (61). Ben Simounds (4), Jacob Wright (3) and Marc Elliott (2) were the leading goalkickers for the Roosters. Tom Pinyon (4), Adam Hunter (3) and Cody Connor (2) were the multiple goalkickers for the Bulldogs. Best players for Strathalbyn included Wright, Thomas Welk, Brock Keding, Charles Durack, Elliott and Simounds. Mt Compass was best served by Will Zimmermann, Leo Turner, Tom Vitkunas, Darcy Boots, Connor and Rilee Endersby.

McLaren Districts consolidated their spot in the top-three following a comfortable 38-point win against Langhorne Creek. The Eagles led at every change to win 18.7 (115) to 11.11 (77). Brett Ellis kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance for McLaren Districts and he was joined in the best players by Alex Moyle, Patrick McMahon, Luke Mitton, Cameron Jarrett and Ashley Goodieson. Jackson Dalitz kicked five goals for Langhorne Creek, while their best players were Angus Cole, Matt Dominish, Dalitz, Jarrod Kellock, Tom Derham and Matt Richards.

Ladder (after round 9)

Victor Harbor 18, McLaren Districts 15, Encounter Bay 14, Langhorne Creek 12, Myponga-Sellicks 11, Strathalbyn 8, Willunga 4, Mt Compass 4, Yankalilla 4, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0.

Round 10 fixtures (home team named first)

Willunga v Encounter Bay 

Langhorne Creek v Goolwa/Port Elliot

Myponga-Sellicks v McLaren Districts

Yankalilla v Mt Compass

Victor Harbor v Strathalbyn