McLaren Eagles enhanced their tag as premiership favourites after defeating reigning premier Willunga by 27 points during round 12 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) at McLaren Vale yesterday. The Eagles have been flawless this season and they continued their undefeated run with a 14.11 (95) to 10.8 (68) victory against the Demons. McLaren had plenty of good players including Joel Vandeleur, Brett Ellis, Ashley Goodieson, Matthew Merrett (4 goals), Daniel Marr and Riley Brown. Best for Willunga included Brad Haskett, Brett Miegel, Billy Cook, Cam Hutchens and Braden Altus, while Daniel Bass kicked three goals. 

Victor Harbor kept the pressure on for a spot in the top-five with an important 18-point win at Encounter Bay. The win for the ‘Roos sees three teams on 14 points in equal fourth spot on the ladder. The final score yesterday was Victor Harbor 13.10 (88) to Encounter Bay 10.10 (70). Jackson Elmes continued his excellent season for ‘Victor’ with five goals in a best-on-ground performance. He was ably supported by Lachlan Borrillo, Jesse McKinnon, Harry Vincent and Nick Dowling. Jake Tarca kicked five goals for the Bays with their best players including Callum Tonkin, Tyson Neale, Marcus Lippett, Jack Crispin and Cohen Pettitt. 

Strathalbyn maintained fifth spot on the ladder, and in the process put a dent in arch-rival Langhorne Creek’s finals hopes with a comfortable 38-point win at ‘Strath’. The final score was Strathalbyn 14.7 (91) to Langhorne Creek 7.11 (53). Best players for the Roosters were Xavier Redden, Marc Elliott, Lachlan Butler, Ben Simounds (4 goals) and Richard O’Grady. Caleb Howell and Mitch Cleggett kicked two goals each for Langhorne Creek, while their best players included Troy Blackwell, Scott Tonkin, Howell, Darcy Clifford and Brodie O’Dea.

Myponga/Sellicks consolidated their spot in the top-three with a 39-point win at Yankalilla. The home side put up a good fight to only trail by 23 points at the last change, before the Mudlarks kicked four goals to two in the final term to win 15.14 (104) to 10.5 (65). Matthew Flintham and Jayden Scott kicked three goals each for the ‘Muddies’,  while Matt James slotted five majors for the Tigers. Best players for Myponga/Sellicks were Tom Carroll, Ben Kennedy, Harrison Cock, Elliot Chalmers and Sam Kennedy. Yankalilla were best served by Angus Weir, Joel Kay, Jack Fitzgerald, Matt James and Will Hogben.

Mount Compass won their fourth game of the season with a comfortable 60-point win over Goolwa/Port Elliot. The Bulldogs led at every change before winning 12.13 (85) to 3.7 (25). Corey Grove kicked three goals in a best-on-ground display for ‘Compass’ and he was well supported by Ziggy Vitkunas (3 goals), Klaus Simons, Bailey Hann, Tom Vitkunas and Tom Pinyon. Best for the Magpies were Daniel Fry, Rory Hausser, Jesse Bates, Logan Payne and Ryan Carnelly.

Ladder after Round 12

McLaren 24, Myponga/Sellicks 18, Willunga 16, Encounter Bay 14, Strathalbyn 14, Victor Harbor 14, Langhorne Creek 10, Mount Compass 8, Yankalilla 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0.

Round 13 Fixtures (Saturday 9 July)

Myponga/Sellicks v Encounter Bay

Willunga v Yankalilla

Goolwa/Port Elliot v McLaren

Langhorne Creek v Mount Compass

Victor Harbor v Strathalbyn