Willunga won their fifth game in a row after defeating ladder-leader Victor Harbor by three points during round eight action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) at Victor Harbor yesterday. It’s the third game Willunga have won by three points or less this season. ‘Victor’ appeared like they would remain unbeaten as they held a handy 16-point lead at the last change. However, Willunga had other ideas as they kicked 3.4 to 0.3 in the final term to win 9.11 (65) to 8.14 (62). Dylan Draper kicked three goals for the Demons, while Daniel Stock kicked four goals for the ‘Roos. Best players for Willunga included Jake Shirvington, Tyson Schmid, Nathan Stark, Sam Renney, Brett Miegel and Cameron McDonald, while Victor Harbor was best served by Ben Heaslip, Kane Cooper, Matthew Wiese, Stock, Sam Overall and Lachlan Hartshorne.

McLaren Districts went top of the ladder after a crushing 240-point victory over Goolwa/Port Elliot. The Eagles led by 122 points at halftime, before kicking 18 unanswered goals in the second half to win 38.20 (248) to 1.2 (8). McLaren Districts had 14 different goalkickers with Josh Vandermeer having a day out with 12 goals (41 for the season), while Cameron Jarrett slotted eight majors. Kai Iwao was the sole goalkicker for the Magpies. Luke Mitton was named best for McLaren Districts and he was ably supported by Vandermeer, Codey Ellison, Darcy Brown, Ashley Goodieson and Kaine Hopkins. Best for Goolwa/Port Elliot included Carter Norman, Jye Bottroff, Tom Fergusson, Fred Nissen, Taama Iwao and Samuel O'Flaherty.

Encounter Bay won their fifth game in a row after a comfortable 41-point win at Mt Compass yesterday. The Bays’ win was set up by a dominant first quarter that saw them lead by 33 points at quarter time. The game was relatively even after that as Encounter Bay triumphed 13.9 (87) to 7.4 (46). Ryan Pearsons kicked five goals for the Bays and he was joined in the best players by Peter Spurling, Cory Gamble, Marcus Lippett, Andrew Fyfe and Callum Tonkin. Best players for the Bulldogs included Nathan Schulz, Harley Peters, Tomas Vitkunas, Brandon Mckenzie, Klaus Simons and Rilee Endersby (2 goals).

Reigning premiers Myponga-Sellicks consolidated their spot in the top-five after a 42-point win at Strathalbyn yesterday. The Mudlarks won every quarter on their way to an 18.7 (115) to 11.7 (73) victory. Hayden Sampson (6), Darren Shillabeer (4) and Mitch Wilkins (3) were the main goalkickers for Myponga-Sellicks, while Roosters skipper Jacob Wright kicked three goals. Hayden Sampson, Wilkins, Jake Spinks, Jaxon Sampson, Jakob Drury and Sebastian Jurado were named best players for the visitors, while ‘Strath’ was best served by Fletcher Duffield, Declan Gladigau, Declan Grant, Wright, Jordan Kenny and Jake Stafford.

Yankalilla won their third game of the season after a comfortable 49-point win over Langhorne Creek. The Tigers led by five points at halftime, before kicking nine goals to three in the second half to win 19.16 (130) to 12.9 (81). Thaddeus Puautjimi kicked six goals for Yankalilla, while Jarrod Kellock kicked four majors for Langhorne Creek. Yankalilla’s best players were Bailey Gaskin, Karlson Kantilla, Puautjimi, Ayden Duke, Jacob Parsons and Joel Field. Best for the Hawks included Matt Dominish, Henry Bruce, Harry Cates, Jedd Rothe and Daniel Cleggett.

Ladder (after round 8)

McLaren Districts 14, Victor Harbor 14, Willunga 14, Encounter Bay 12, Myponga-Sellicks 10, Mt Compass 6, Yankalilla 6, Langhorne Creek 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Strathalbyn 0.

Round 9 fixtures - home teams named first (Saturday 14/6/25)

Langhorne Creek v Goolwa/Port Elliot

Willunga v Strathalbyn

Encounter Bay v McLaren Districts

Mt Compass v Yankalilla

Myponga-Sellicks v Victor Harbor