McLaren moved back inside the top five following their tight 12-point win against Yankalilla during round six action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday. Yankalilla has suffered some big losses recently while McLaren had lost their past three games by a combined total of only 28 points. It was a much-improved performance from Yankalilla but ultimately McLaren won their third match of the season 13.11 (89) to 11.11 (77). Jordan Mutton kicked six goals for the Eagles and James Grimley chipped in with three majors. Jack Fitzgerald, Lindsay Thomas and Patrick Fittock all kicked two goals for Yankalilla. Brett Ellis continued his excellent season to be named best for McLaren. He was ably supported by Mutton, Tom Fenoughty, Tom Harms and Joel Vandeleur. Joel Kay, Chris Clark, Joseph Tyllis, Thomas and Jack Fitzgerald were named in the best players for the Tigers.

Willunga continued on their merry way as they won their sixth game in a row with a comfortable 92-point win at Encounter Bay. The final scores were Willunga 20.11 (131) to Encounter Bay 6.3 (39). The Demons sit atop the GSFL ladder with a whopping percentage of 398.20! On Saturday, the Demons had 12 different goalkickers including Tyson Hoffmann (3), Jake Standfield (3), Cam Hutchens (2), Myles Warmington (2), Sean Beath (2) and Daniel Bass (2). New recruit Brian Fenton was named best for the Demons and he was joined in the best players by Warmington, Hutchens, Billy Cook and Harrison Mills. Hamish Tonkin, Cohen Pettitt and Ben Gibbs were best for the Bays.

It was a high scoring affair at Langhorne Creek on Saturday as the Hawks defeated Victor Harbor by 71 points to consolidate third spot on the GSFL ladder. 44 goals were scored with Victor Harbor’s Sam Basham slotting eight majors and Mitch Cleggett from Langhorne Creek kicking seven goals. The final scores were Langhorne Creek 28.6 (174) to 16.7 (103). The reigning premier had many good players including Ben Arbon, Jake Dominish, Curtis Perrey, Matt Dominish and Troy Blackwell. Victor Harbor was best served by Billy Wade, Dylan Kleinig and Leslie Weetra. 

Goolwa/Port Elliot travelled to Myponga and had their first win of 2021 as they defeated the Mudlarks 14.11 (95) to 8.8 (56) by 39 points. Magpies playing-coach Todd Miles kicked four goals while Jesse Bates and Trent Griffen kicked two goals each. Jayden Scott, Sam Kennedy and James Hutchinson each kicked two goals for Myponga/Sellicks. Aisea Raikiwasa continued his excellent month of football to be named best for the Magpies. He was ably supported by James Fry, Dale Cuthbert, Brad Prior and Jesse Bates. Kane Andrewartha, Harrison Cock and Tyler Daniell were among the Mudlarks’ best.

Mount Compass joined Willunga as the only undefeated sides after round six as they fought off a tenacious Strathalbyn outfit at Strath on Saturday. Mount Compass won 16.10 (106) to 11.15 (81) and now will turn their focus to a blockbuster contest against Willunga this Saturday. The Mount Compass forward line was once again a threat on Saturday with Tom Pinyon and Ziggy Vitkunas each kicking five goals for the Bulldogs, while Matt Skrypek chipped in with three majors. Austin McFarlane also kicked three goals for Strathalbyn. Vitkunas was best for Compass along with Michael Corbett, Lewis Johnston, Skrypek and Brandon McKenzie. Lachlan Butler, Richard O’Grady and Ryan Clarke were best for the Roosters.

Ladder after Round 6

Willunga 12, Mount Compass 12, Langhorne Creek 10, McLaren 6, Strathalbyn 6, Encounter Bay 6, Yankalilla 4, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Victor Harbor 2, Myponga/Sellicks 0.

Round 7 Fixtures (Home team named first)

Goolwa/Port Elliot v McLaren

Mount Compass v Willunga

Myponga/Sellicks v Langhorne Creek

Victor Harbor v Strathalbyn

Yankalilla v Encounter Bay