Mount Compass consolidated their spot in the top-three with a thrilling six-point win against Willunga during round four action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) at Mount Compass on Saturday. Willunga started well to lead by 22 points at halftime. ‘Compass’ kicked three goals to two in the third term, but the margin was still a handy 19 points at the last change in favour of the Demons. With the home crowd behind them, the Bulldogs rattled home, kicking four goals to none, to prevail 11.10 (76) to 10.10 (70). Ziggy Vitkunas kicked three goals for Mount Compass, while Jed Redden and Ryan Sherry also kicked three goals for Willunga. Best players for Mount Compass included Adam Hunter, Ziggy Vitkunas, Tom Pinyon, Lochie Nash, and Brent Creek. Willunga were best served by Danny Juckers, Jed Redden, Sherry, Daniel Bass, and Alex Bowley.   

Encounter Bay won their first game for 2023 with a comfortable 67-point win against Goolwa/Port Elliot at Goolwa on Saturday. The Bays led at every change before winning 16.8 (104) to 5.7 (37). Bradley Kreuger and Mason Middleton kicked four goals each for the Bays. Middleton was named best on ground for Encounter Bay and he was well supported by Connor Hills, Krueger, Tyler Baldock, and James Brown. Daniel Fry, James Fry, Ryan Carnelly, Josh Slape, and Jacob Hughes were named best for the Magpies.

Langhorne Creek moved inside the top-five with a big 137-point win at Yankalilla. The Hawks led by 18 points at quarter time, 62 points at halftime, and 76 points at the last change, before kicking 10 unanswered goals in the final quarter to win 25.12 (162) to 3.7 (25). The Hawks had plenty of goal scoring options with vice-captain Caleb Howell kicking six goals, Mitchell Cleggett snared five majors, while best-on-ground Malakai Kartinyeri slotted four goals. Joining Kartinyeri in the best players for Langhorne Creek were Jarrod Kellock, Howell, Tom Derham, and Shannon Jones. Best players for the Tigers included James Hargreaves, Chris Clark, and Jesse Fitzgerald. 

Reigning premier McLaren Districts won their 24th consecutive game after defeating Strathalbyn by 49 points at McLaren Vale. It was a big day at the Eagles Nest with the club celebrating the 20-year anniversary of their 2003 ‘A’ grade premiership. On Saturday, McLaren Districts won every quarter on their way to a 19.12 (126) to 11.11 (77) win. The Eagles had nine different goalkickers with Joel Chahla (5), Lachlan Camm (4), and Leon Groves (3) leading the way. Ben Simounds kicked four goals for the Roosters and Fletcher Duffield and Jake Stafford kicked two majors. Best players for the Eagles were Codey Ellison, Billy Chahla, Sam Lawrie, Joel Chahla, and Max Gill. Best for the Roosters were Stafford, Marc Elliott, Cooper Machin, Mitchell Godfrey, and Austin McFarlane. 

Myponga-Sellicks won their third game of the season with a 28-point win against Victor Harbor under lights at Myponga on Saturday night. The Mudlarks led by 18 points at halftime, before kicking six goals to four in the second half to win 11.10 (76) to 6.12 (48). Ben Kennedy and Jayden Scott kicked three goals each for Myponga-Sellicks, while Harry Vincent kicked two goals for the ‘Roos. Sam Kennedy, Scott Ogilvie, Dylan Lang, Harrison Cock, and Justin Whitford were named best for the Mudlarks. Best for ‘Victor’ included Mitchell Brook, Jackson Elmes, Brayden Miller, Jesse McKinnon, and Tom Neville. 

Ladder after Round 4

McLaren Districts 8, Myponga-Sellicks 6, Mount Compass 6, Langhorne Creek 4, Victor Harbor 4, Willunga 4, Strathalbyn 4, Encounter Bay 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Yankalilla 0.

Round 5 Fixtures

Encounter Bay v Yankalilla

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Victor Harbor

McLaren Districts v Myponga-Sellicks

Strathalbyn v Mount Compass

Willunga v Langhorne Creek