Great Southern Football League - Round 18 preview

It’s been one of the closest seasons in recent memory in the GSFL with just five points separating top of the ladder Willunga and fifth placed McLaren with just one round to go.

The match of the round sees reigning premier Langhorne Creek travel to Victor Harbor with the prize of a double chance on the line. To underline how tight the competition is in 2019, Victor would’ve entered the round on top had they won last week (lost to Willunga by a point) and if they fail to knock off the Hawks they could slip as slow as fifth! Sam Basham has been in excellent goal kicking form for Victor Harbor with 28 goals in his last five games and 67 for the season. Langhorne Creek have plenty of avenues to goal with three players kicking 25+ goals for the season including Jarrod Kellock with 40 majors. When the teams met back in round nine it was an absolute cracker with the Kangaroos prevailing by nine points. A real toss of the coin to pick a winner. I’ll go with the home team. My tip...Victor Harbor.

Mount Compass could pinch top spot with a win against Yankalilla at home tomorrow. They’ll need some help from Strathalbyn to beat Willunga though to make it possible. The Bulldogs sit second on the ladder and can draw level with Willunga if results go their way and with a superior percentage they’d take the minor premiership. Tom Pinyon has had an amazing season and brought up the magical ‘ton’ of goals last week when he bagged 11 majors. Expect more of the same tomorrow. My tip...Mount Compass.

Willunga need to beat Strathalbyn to sew up the minor premiership and the week’s rest ahead of the second semi-final. It won’t be an easy trip for the Demons with the Roosters still an outside chance of making the finals. It’s out of Strath’s hands though as they’ll be relying on Encounter Bay upsetting McLaren and they’ll need a major swing in percentage as well to have any hope. My tip...Willunga.

Last years runner-up McLaren can make sure of their spot in next Sunday’s Elimination Final at Langhorne Creek with victory at home against Encounter Bay. McLaren have been in excellent recent form having won four of their past five games. Encounter Bay have been inconsistent in 2019 and will miss the finals after finishing fifth last season. McLaren have too much to play for so I think they’ll win. My tip...McLaren.

Pride is on the line as Myponga-Sellicks host Goolwa-Port Elliot in the last game for these sides in 2019. The Mudlarks are yet  to taste victory so they’ll be desperate to knock off the Magpies and sing their song for the first time in 364 days. Goolwa-Port Elliot have had a couple of wins this season and I think they’ll get their third victory. My tip...Goolwa-Port Elliot.

Ladder (after 17 rounds)

Willunga 27 points, Mount Compass 25, Victor Harbor 24, Langhorne Creek 24, McLaren 22, Strathalbyn 20, Encounter Bay 14, Yankalilla 10, Goolwa-Port Elliot 4, Myponga-Sellicks 0