Victor Harbor won their first game of the season with a 58-point win at Encounter Bay during round two action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday. ‘Victor’ led at every change before winning 17.9 (111) to 8.5 (53). The ‘Roos had nine different goalkickers with Sam Basham and Michael Ross kicking three each. Kyron Pepper also kicked three goals for Encounter Bay. Best players for Victor Harbor were Michael Ross, Jackson Elmes, Ryan Fletcher, Rhys Mutch, and Sam Overall. The Bays were best served by Connor Hills, Callum Tonkin, Jack Crispin, Marcus Lippett, and Fraser Tonkin. 

Mount Compass also won their first game of 2023 following a 40-point win against Goolwa/Port Elliot. The game was tight in the first half with ‘Compass’ leading by 14 points at halftime. The third term would prove decisive as the Bulldogs kicked six goals to two, before winning 16.8 (104) to 9.10 (64). Tom Pinyon kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance for Mount Compass, while Jordan Boots kicked five. Jacob Hughes and Brett Heintze kicked three goals each for the Magpies. Joining Pinyon in the best players for Mount Compass were Matthew King, Boots, Ziggy Vitkunas, and Nathan Hicks. The Magpies’ best included Jye Bottroff, Jordan Turner, Josh Slape, James Fry and Heintze.

McLaren Districts won their 22nd consecutive game with a tough 18-point win against Willunga in the Grand Final rematch at McLaren Vale. The Eagles got off to a fast start to lead by 22 points at the first change. Willunga hit back in the second term, kicking four goals to zero, to lead by two points at halftime. McLaren Districts steadied in the second half, kicking seven goals to four, to win 11.13 (79) to 9.7 (61). Ashley Goodieson, Brett Ellis, Daniel Marr, Sam Lawrie, and William Gomer were named in the best players for the Eagles. Best for Willunga included Danny Juckers, Tom Messenger, Lachlan Scott, Alex Bowley, and Tom Redden. Kiefver Zohar kicked three goals for McLaren Districts, while Daniel Lee also kicked three goals for Willunga. 

Myponga-Sellicks are on the board in 2023 following a comprehensive 67-point win at Yankalilla. The Mudlarks won every quarter to run out 19.9 (123) to 8.8 (56) winners. Myponga-Sellicks had 10 different goalkickers with Ben Kennedy (5) and Jake Spinks (4) leading the way. Angus Weir kicked two goals for Yankalilla. Best players for the Mudlarks included Harrison Cock, Jake Spinks, Kennedy, Justin Whitford, and Daniel Trevena. Sam Crawford, Mitchell Schwerdt, Denver Ker, Chris Clark, and Joe Tyllis were named best players for Yankalilla.

In the ANZAC Day clash yesterday, Strathalbyn defeated local rival Langhorne Creek to move to the top of the GSFL ladder. The first quarter was tight as the Roosters held a slender two-point lead at the first break. Strathalbyn turned up the heat in the second term, kicking four goals to one, to take a handy 17-point lead to halftime. A further 10 goals to five in the second half saw ‘Strath’ win 16.9 (105) to 8.9 (57). Riley Clamp was a standout up forward for Strathalbyn with seven goals in a best-on-ground display. Other good players for the Roosters included Marc Elliott, Jacob Wright, Daniel Pegler, Cooper Machin, and Mitchell Godfrey. Caleb Howell kicked three goals for Langhorne Creek and the Hawks’ best players were Scott Tonkin, Matt Dominish, Howell, Mitchell Cleggett, and Jedd Rothe.

Ladder after Round 2

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

Round 3 Fixtures

Langhorne Creek v McLaren Districts

Myponga-Sellicks v Goolwa/Port Elliot

Victor Harbor v Strathalbyn

Willunga v Encounter Bay

Yankalilla v Mount Compass