Langhorne Creek stormed into the top-five after stunning reigning premier Willunga during round 17 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday. The Hawks started the season with just one win in the first six rounds and it looked odds-on that they would miss finals action. Fast forward three months and the Hawks are one win away from playing in the major round. On Saturday, Langhorne Creek led throughout to win 15.14 (104) to 5.12 (42). Caleb Howell and Coby Helyar were the two best players on the ground, with each player kicking five goals. Other good players for the ‘Creeks’ were Josh Towk, Darcy Clifford, Troy Blackwell and Matt Dominish. Daniel Bass kicked two goals for Willunga, while their best players were Cam Hutchens, Brett Miegel, Harrison Mills, Billy Cook and Hugo Hoeck. 

Encounter Bay confirmed their spot in the GSFL finals following their comfortable 67-point win against Goolwa/Port Elliot. The Bays led at every change before winning 16.16 (112) to 7.3 (45). Tyson Neale had a day out with seven goals, while Nick Marshall slotted five majors. Trent Griffen and Logan Payne kicked two goals each for the Magpies. Lachlan Williams, Neale, Marcus Lippett, Hamish Tonkin and Fraser Tonkin were named best players for the Bays. The Magpies’ best included Ryan Carnelly, Daniel Fry and Cody Griffiths.

McLaren Eagles are one win away from an undefeated minor round campaign after defeating Mount Compass by 66 points at McLaren Vale. The Eagles led by 19 points at halftime, before kicking 10 goals to three in the second half to win 17.11 (113) to 7.5 (47). James Grimley (5), Jordan Mutton (4) and Matthew Merrett (3) were the multiple goalkickers for McLaren. Sam Lawrie, Daniel Marr, Lachlan Matthews, Kiefver Zohar, Grimley and Brett Ellis were best for the Eagles. Best players for ‘Compass’ included Adam Hunter, Leo Turner and Klaus Simons.

Myponga/Sellicks confirmed the double chance after defeating Victor Harbor by 35 points. The loss for ‘Victor’ has put a serious dent in their finals hopes. The first half was tight with the ‘Roos leading by two points at the long break. The second half was all Myponga/Sellicks as they kicked eight goals to three to win 13.15 (93) to 9.4 (58). Ben Kennedy kicked four goals for the Mudlarks, while Jaymes Hewett also kicked four goals for Victor Harbor. Best players for the Mudlarks were Jake Spinks, Ryan Kelly, Thomas Carroll, Connor Sampson, Luke Whitford and Anthony Kempster. The ‘Roos were best served by Jack Lang, Dylan Kleinig, Hewett, Lachlan Borrillo and Ben Yeomans.

Strathalbyn still have a finals heartbeat after defeating Yankalilla by 103 points. The Roosters are in sixth spot on the ladder and sit just over three percent behind local rival Langhorne Creek leading into round 18. The Roosters were never threatened as they won 20.13 (133) to 4.6 (30). Ben Simounds was a major target up forward for ‘Strath’ with nine goals, giving him 59 for the season. Best players for the Roosters were Marc Elliott, Simounds, Jacob Wright, Aarom Noske, Mark Tucker and Austin McFarlane. 

Ladder after Round 17

McLaren 34, Willunga 24, Myponga/Sellicks 24, Encounter Bay 20, Langhorne Creek 18, Strathalbyn 18, Victor Harbor 18, Mount Compass 10, Yankalilla 4, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0.

Round 18 Fixtures (Saturday 20 August)

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Langhorne Creek

Mount Compass v Yankalilla

Strathalbyn v Myponga/Sellicks

Victor Harbor v Willunga

Encounter Bay v McLaren