Willunga moved into the top-five after a come-from-behind six-point win against Langhorne Creek during round five action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) at Willunga yesterday. Langhorne Creek led by 10 points at three-quarter time, before the Demons rattled home with six goals to three in the final term, to win 11.17 (83) to 11.11 (77). Daniel Bass kicked four goals for Willunga, and he was well supported by Danny Juckers who kicked three majors. Mitch Cleggett kicked three goals for the Hawks. Best players for Willunga included Juckers, Bass, Cam Hutchens, Sam Renney, and Jed Redden. For Langhorne Creek, Jarrod Kellock, Tom Derham, Shannon Jones, Malakai Kartinyeri, and Matt Dominish were named their best players. 

McLaren Districts remain undefeated after a tight six-point win against Myponga-Sellicks at McLaren Vale. The Mudlarks looked a chance of handing the Eagles their first loss since 2021 as they led by eight points at the last change, but the reigning premier had other ideas as they kicked the only two goals of the last quarter to win 8.11 (59) to 8.5 (53). Codey Ellison was the leading goalkicker on the field with three goals for the Eagles, while Ben Kennedy, Sam Kennedy, and Jayden Scott all kicked two goals for the Mudlarks. The Eagles’ best players were Joel Vandeleur, Kaine Hopkins, Billy Chahla, Todd McKay, and Jamie Smith. Best players for the Mudlarks included Sam Kennedy, Scott Ogilvie, Ryan Kelly, Harrison Cock, and Dylan Lang.

Encounter Bay won their second game of the year with a 49-point win at home against Yankalilla. The Bays won every quarter on their way to a 13.12 (90) to 6.5 (41) victory. Encounter Bay skipper Tyson Neale played a ‘blinder’ as he kicked seven goals in a best-on-ground performance. Other good players for the winners were Tyler Baldock, Fraser Tonkin, Ambrose Willoughby, and Elijah Horrocks. Jack Fitzgerald kicked two goals for ‘Yank’, while their best players were James Hargreaves, Angus Weir, Joel Kay, Brad Coulson, and Joe Tyllis.

Victor Harbor won their third game of the season after defeating Goolwa/Port Elliot by 45 points in a high-scoring game at Goolwa. The Magpies started well to lead by 24 points at quarter time, after kicking seven goals straight in the first stanza. The ‘Roos got their game going in the second term, kicking seven goals to two, to take a slender six-point lead at halftime. ‘Victor’ pulled away in the second half, kicking nine goals to four, to win 18.19 (127) to 13.4 (82). Michael Ross kicked seven goals in a best-on-ground performance for Victor Harbor, and he was well supported by Zac Dowling, Sam Overall, Matthew Wiese, and Jesse McKinnon. Dale Cuthbert kicked four goals for the Magpies and Finn Hayden kicked three. Best players for the Magpies included Brett Heintze, Ryan Carnelly, Reece Slape, Jacob Hughes, and Luke Stanton. 

Mount Compass continued their good start to the season with a 47-point win at Strathalbyn. It was a four-quarter display from the Bulldogs as they won every term on the way to a 17.13 (115) to 10.8 (68) triumph. Mount Compass had nine goalkickers including Tom Pinyon (4) and Ziggy Vitkunas (3). Jacob Wright kicked three goals for the Roosters. Brandon McKenzie was named best for the Bulldogs and he was well supported by Adam Hunter, Pinyon, Klaus Simons, and Matthew King. Best for Strathalbyn included Ben Simounds, Daniel Pegler, Richard O’Grady, Joel Hodgson, and Thomas Welk.

Ladder after Round 5

McLaren Districts 10, Mount Compass 8, Myponga-Sellicks 6, Victor Harbor 6, Willunga 6, Langhorne Creek 4, Encounter Bay 4, Strathalbyn 4, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Yankalilla 0.

Round 6 Fixtures

Mount Compass v Langhorne Creek

Myponga-Sellicks v Encounter Bay

Strathalbyn v Goolwa/Port Elliot

Victor Harbor v McLaren Districts

Yankalilla v Willunga