Reigning premier McLaren Districts inflicted ladder-leader Victor Harbor’s first loss of the season following their 48-point win at McLaren Vale during round 12 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) yesterday. The Eagles won every quarter on their way to a 15.17 (107) to 9.5 (59) victory. Cameron Jarrett kicked four goals for McLaren Districts, while Sam Basham kicked three majors for Victor Harbor. Daniel Marr was named best-on-ground for the triumphant Eagles and he was well supported by Sam Lawrie, Lachlan Mathews, Matthew Merrett, Jamie Smith and Luke Mitton. Best players for Victor Harbor included Jesse McKinnon, Matthew Wiese, Harry Vincent, Kane Cooper, Heath Treloar and  Tarquin Brown.  

Yankalilla won their third game of the season after defeating Goolwa/Port Elliot by 54 points at Goolwa yesterday. The Tigers led at every change to win 14.9 (93) to 5.9 (39). Joel Kay was the standout forward on the day with five goals for ‘Yank’. Best players for Yankalilla included Jack Fitzgerald, William Hogben, Liam Gerber, Kay, Bailey Gaskin and Karlson Kantilla. The Magpies were best served by Ryan Carnelly, Dene McKinlay, Kai Iwao, Ken Angus, Fred Nissen and Brock Donaldson.

Myponga-Sellicks kept their top-three hopes alive following their 41-point win at home against Mt Compass. It was a low-scoring first half with just four goals scored as ‘Compass’ led by one point at halftime. The Mudlarks took over in the third quarter, kicking six goals to two, to take a handy 25-point lead into the final term. A further five goals to three in the last quarter saw Myponga-Sellicks win 13.12 (90) to 7.7 (49). Darren Shillabeer kicked four goals for the Mudlarks, giving him 63 goals for the season, while Tom Pinyon kicked three goals for the Bulldogs. Mitchell Wilkins, Connor Sampson, Levi Proude, John Butcher, Ben Kennedy and Ryan Kelly were named best players for the Mudlarks, while the Bulldogs were best served by Lochie Nash, Tom Vitkunas, Ziggy Vitkunas, Cody Connor, Dylan Waye and Jayden Weetman.

Willunga won their third game of the season after a come-from-behind two-point win against Strathalbyn yesterday. The Roosters led by 10 points at the last change, before Willunga kicked three goals to one in the last quarter to win 11.11 (77) to 10.15 (75). Jake Shirvington, Ryan Sherry and Brad Haskett all kicked two goals for the Demons, while Ben Simounds kicked four majors for ‘Strath’. Braden Altus, Shirvington, Harrison Mills, Tom Messenger, Job Colwell and Seb Hoeck were named best for the Demons. Best for the Roosters included Brock Keding, Mark Tucker, Marc Elliott, Richard O'Grady, Daniel Pegler and Ashton Hoffman.

Encounter Bay moved up to third spot on the ladder following their 11-point win at Langhorne Creek. The home side led by eight points at halftime, before the Bays kicked six goals to three in the second half to win 13.9 (87) to 11.10 (76). Elijah Horrocks kicked four goals in a best-on-ground display for Encounter Bay and he was well supported by Ryan Pearsons, Ben Davis, Callum Tonkin, Andrew Fyfe and Marcus Lippett. Best players for the Hawks included Josh Towk, Matt Dominish, Henry Bruce, Mitch Cleggett (4 goals), Tom Derham and Angus Cole.

Ladder (after round 12)

Victor Harbor 22, McLaren Districts 19, Encounter Bay 18, Myponga-Sellicks 17, Langhorne Creek 16, Mt Compass 8, Strathalbyn 8, Willunga 6, Yankalilla 6, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0.

Round 13 fixtures (20/7/24 - home team named first)

Mt Compass v Encounter Bay

Yankalilla v Langhorne Creek

Victor Harbor v Goolwa/Port Elliot

Strathalbyn v McLaren Districts

Willunga v Myponga-Sellicks