Footy is back!!! After a shortened 2020 season due to COVID-19, the Great Southern Football League Open Women (GSFLW) got their season underway on Saturday. The GSFLW competition will feature eight teams in a 14-round season.

Goolwa/Port Elliot and Yankalilla travelled to Kangaroo Island to play at Penneshaw Oval in the KI Cup with the Magpies coming out on top, winning by 21 points,  Goolwa/Port Elliot led by five points at the first change before extending their lead out to 13 points at half time. They maintained their 13-point lead at three quarter time before kicking the only goal of the last quarter to win 7.7 (49) to 4.4 (28). Megan Hoad (3), Isabella Ramsey (2) and Stevie Robinson (2) were the goal kickers for the Magpies while Tess Fraser, Asha Bell, Rachel Searle, Megan Hoad and Ramsey were named in the victors best players. For Yankalilla, Daisy Baxter, Natasha Hunt, Helen Maidment, Jemma Ellis and Tegan Cross were named in their best.

In the 2020 Grand Final rematch, Willunga turned the tables on reigning premier McLaren with a tight three-point win at McLaren Vale. It was a tight and low-scoring affair with Willunga leading by three points at quarter time, three points at half time and four points at the last change before winning 2.7 (19) to 2.4 (16). Kristen Rothwell, Katrice Turner, Shae Archbold, Carli Perryman and Cleo Guilfoyle were named as the Demons best players. Sally Fuller, Jessica Veasey, Jenna Bowles, Katrina Munzberg and Alexandra Bentley were best for McLaren.

Mount Compass opened their 2021 campaign with a convincing 107-point victory against Encounter Bay at McLaren Vale. Mount Compass led by 31 points at halftime before really turning it on with a 12 goal to zero second half to win 16.11 (107) to 0.0 (0). Kiahni Russell kicked five goals for the Bulldogs and she was well supported by Demi Sharp, Heidi Smith and Brooke Boileau who all kicked two goals. Sharp, Taylor McKinnon, Boileau and Russell were named in the best players for Mount Compass. For Encounter Bay, Tess Huxtable, Sherrie Hurrell, Kate Sanders, Teagan Stewart and Amelia Beckett battled hard all day for the Bays.

Strathalbyn also started 2021 with a bang following a comprehensive 130-point win against Victor Harbor at Milang. The Roosters led by 32 points at the first change, 71 points at half time, 100 points at three quarter time before winning 19.16 (130) to Victor Harbor 0.0 (0). Emily Cozamanis (5), Indigo Miller (4), Matilda King (2), Georgie Pater (2), Morgan Tucker (2) and Emogen Johnson (2) were the multiple goal kickers for Strathalbyn. Johnson, Tucker, Emily Eglitis, Cozamanis and Pater were named in the best players for the victorious Roosters.

Ladder after Round 1

Strathalbyn 2, Mount Compass 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Willunga 2, McLaren 0, Yankalilla 0, Victor Harbor 0, Encounter Bay 0.

Round 2 Fixtures

McLaren v Goolwa/Port Elliot (10.10am @ Strathalbyn)

Victor Harbor v Willunga (10.10am @ Yankalilla)

Strathalbyn v Encounter Bay (12.30pm @ Strathalbyn)

Yankalilla v Mount Compass (1.40pm @ Yankalilla)