McLaren Districts opened their 2025 Great Southern Football League (GSFL) campaign with a 24-point win against reigning premiers Myponga-Sellicks during round 1 action at Myponga yesterday. The game was close for the first three quarters with McLaren Districts holding a slender three-point lead at the last change. The Eagles finished the game strongly, kicking five goals to two in the last quarter, to win 11.14 (80) to 8.8 (56). Josh Vandermeer (3), Matthew Merrett (2) and Daniel Marr (2) were the multiple goalkickers for McLaren Districts, while Darren Shillabeer and Jaxon Sampson kicked two goals each for the Mudlarks. Best players for McLaren Districts were Marr, Connor Fitt, Brett Ellis, Vandermeer, Ashley Goodieson and Izaak Stokes. Hayden Sampson, Luke Whitford, Jack Cooper, Jaxon Sampson, Mitchell Wilkins and Liam Partridge were named best for Myponga-Sellicks.

Willunga overcame a 19-point deficit at three-quarter time to win a thriller against Encounter Bay by three points at Willunga yesterday. After kicking five goals to one in the ‘premiership quarter’, the Bays appeared to have the game well in their grasp at the last change. Willunga had other ideas, as they stormed home to kick six goals to two in the final term to win narrowly. Daniel Bass and Nick Scanlan kicked three goals apiece for the Demons, while Tyson Neale was a standout up forward for the Bays with five majors. Best players for Willunga included Sam Renney, Liam Nye, Bass, Zachary Dumesny, Braden Altus and Tyson Hoffmann, while best players for the Bays were Jayden White, Andrew Fyfe, Peter Spurling, Neale, Mitchell Davis and James Brown.

Yankalilla made an impressive start to their 2025 season with a 24-point win at Strathalbyn. Yankalilla jumped the Roosters in the first term to lead by 24 points at the first change, before Strathalbyn came right back into the contest in the second term, kicking six goals to two, to trail by just five points at halftime. The Tigers steadied in the second half to kick seven goals to four and win 14.11 (95) to 10.11 (71). Thaddeus Puautjimi (3), Tyler Athanasos (2) and Kim Kantilla (2) were the leading goalkickers for Yankalilla, while Jack Gilbert kicked four goals for Strathalbyn. Cameron Ker, Kim Kantilla, Jesse Fitzgerald, William Hogben, Ryan Fisher and Karlson Kantilla were named best players for Yankalilla. The Roosters were best served by Declan Gladigau, Thomas Welk, Jack Gilbert, Liam Hutchinson and Liam Newton.

2024 runners up Victor Harbor had a percentage-boosting start to their season following a 107-point win at home against Goolwa/Port Elliot. ‘Victor’ led by 56 points at halftime, before kicking a further nine goals to one in the second half to win 19.15 (129) to 3.4 (22). Daniel Stock kicked seven goals for Victor Harbor, while Ben Heaslip and Sam Basham chimed in with three majors apiece. Kai Iwao kicked two majors for the Magpies. Best players for Victor Harbor included Heaslip, Zachary Dowling, Dylan Kleinig, Reece Kleinig, Xavier Mayes and Stock. The Magpies were best served by Jye Bottroff, Logan Payne, Samuel O'Flaherty, Iwao, Jett Reid and James Fry.

Mt Compass got their season off to an excellent start with a comfortable 49-point victory at home over Langhorne Creek. ‘Compass’ led at every change before winning 15.16 (106) to 8.9 (57). Tom Pinyon starred up forward for the Bulldogs with six goals, while Caleb Howell kicked four goals for Langhorne Creek. Best for Mt Compass included Tom Vitkunas, Darcy Boots, Pinyon, Klaus Simons, Rilee Endersby and Lochie Nash. Best for the Hawks were Henry Bruce, Matt Dominish, Jack Hall, Jarrod Kellock, Mitchell Cleggett and Howell.

Ladder (after round 1)

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

Round 2 fixtures - home teams named first

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Strathalbyn

McLaren Districts v Mt Compass

Myponga-Sellicks v Willunga

Langhorne Creek v Victor Harbor

Encounter Bay v Yankalilla