McLaren took a big scalp yesterday in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) as they knocked off the previously undefeated Mount Compass by 33 points at McLaren Vale. The home side started well as they kicked the first two goals of the game before Mount Compass hit back in a tight opening term, as the Eagles led by four points at quarter time. After kicking 3.7 in the opening term, McLaren again had plenty of shots at goal in the second term as they kicked an inaccurate 4.8 to lead 7.15 (57) to 6.6 (42) at halftime. Mount Compass were missing prolific full-forward Tom Pinyon but elusive half-forward Ziggy Vitkunas was keeping his side in the game with four goals in the first half. Thomas Harms was on fire up forward for McLaren with five goals of his own. The Eagles kept their foot on the Bulldogs throat as they kicked a further six goals to two in the second half to win 13.16 (94) to 8.13 (61). Harms finished with five goals while Joel Chahla kicked three majors for McLaren. Vitkunas played a lone hand up forward for Mount Compass with five goals. Todd McKay, Chahla, Alex Moyle, Sam Bentley and Daniel Marr were best for McLaren. For Mount Compass, Vitkunas, Peter Hoban, Nick Mott, Nick Brokenshire and Michael Corbett were named as their best players.

Willunga moved back to the top of the ladder, but it wasn’t easy, as they hosted bottom side Myponga/Sellicks at Willunga. The Demons won a tight and scrappy affair 8.10 (58) to 7.6 (48). Willunga led by 15 points at halftime but its lead could’ve been far greater as they kicked 3.9 (27) to Myponga/Sellicks 2.0 (12). The Mudlarks played some of their best footy for 2021 as they kicked four goals to three in the third term and turned for home just nine points in arrears. The visitors had plenty of chances in the final term but it was their turn to be inaccurate as they kicked 1.5 while the Demons added 2.0 to win by 10 points. Cam Hutchens kicked two goals for Willunga while Jayden Scott led the way for Myponga/Sellicks with three majors. Brian Fenton, Myles Warmington, Job Colwell, Billy Cook and Jake Standfield were best for Willunga while Daniel Trevena, Jack Sires, Scott Ogilvie, Sam Kennedy and Jake Spinks were best for a brave Mudlarks outfit.

Strathalbyn had a very important come-from-behind win over Goolwa/Port Elliot to keep their spot in the top five after eight rounds. It was a low scoring first half with Goolwa/Port Elliot holding a slender six-point lead at halftime. Three goals apiece in the third term saw the Magpies turn for home with a seven-point lead and the home crowd dared to dream of an upset over the more fancied Roosters. The dream turned into a nightmare in the final term as the Roosters roared home with five goals to one to win 11.11 (77) to 8.11 (59). Riley Clamp was the hero again for Strathalbyn with four last-quarter goals in a best on ground performance while Brad Prior kicked three for the Magpies. Joining Clamp in the best players for Strathalbyn were Richard O’Grady, Jacob Wright, Xavier Redden and Lachlan Butler. Best for the Magpies were Daniel Fry, Dale Cuthbert, James Fry, Mckale O’Flaherty and Jesse Bates.

Langhorne Creek moved to second spot on the GSFL ladder with a convincing 67-point in the grand final rematch at Encounter Bay. The reigning premier Hawks kept the Bays goalless in the first half as they took a handy 38-point lead to halftime. The Bays made some inroads into the lead in the third quarter as they outscored the Hawks to trail by 30 points at the last change. The ‘Creeks’ put the foot down in the last quarter as they kicked seven goals to one to win 15.9 (99) to 4.8 (32). Caleb Howell kicked five goals for Langhorne Creek and he was ably assisted by Lachlan McGregor, Mitchell Cleggett and Coby Helyar who all kicked three goals. Tyson Neale was the only multiple goal kicker for the Bays with two. Ben Arbon, Jarrad Kellock, Howell, Tom Derham and Curtis Perrey were best for Langhorne Creek. Lachlan Williams, Cohen Pettitt and Callum Tonkin were among the best players for Encounter Bay.

Yankalilla won their fourth game of the season following a grinding nine-point win against Victor Harbor at Yankalilla yesterday. Victor Harbor made a fast start and held a handy 23-point lead at quarter time. The hosts woke up in the second term, kicking five goals to two, and reducing the margin to just four points at the long break. The Tigers hit the front in the third term to lead by nine points at three quarter time. Yankalilla dominated the last term but could only manage a wasteful 1.9 to Victor’s 2.3 but it was enough for Yankalilla to win 11.18 (84) to 11.9 (75). Harry Morgan was a star for ‘Yank’ with five goals in a best on ground display. Brok Schubert matched Morgan’s output with five goals of his own for the Kangaroos. Joining Morgan in the best players for the winners was Joel Kay, Lachlan Whittlesea, Finn Betterman and Matthew Wilson. Best for a brave Victor team were Billy Wade, Dylan Kleinig, Schubert, Noah Williams and Heath Treloar. 

Ladder after Round 8

Willunga 14, Langhorne Creek 14, Mount Compass 14, McLaren 10, Strathalbyn 10, Encounter Bay 8, Yankalilla 6, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Victor Harbor 2, Myponga/Sellicks 0.

Round 9 Fixtures (Home team named first)

Langhorne Creek v Willunga

Mount Compass v Yankalilla

Myponga/Sellicks v Encounter Bay

Strathalbyn v McLaren

Victor Harbor v Goolwa/Port Elliot