Langhorne Creek consolidated their spot in the top-five after a thrilling six-point win against Willunga during round five action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) at Willunga yesterday. Willunga, hunting down their first win for 2024, led by 11 points at the last change, before the Hawks kicked six goals to three in the final term to win 13.8 (86) to 11.14 (80). Caleb Howell and Matt Uebergang kicked three goals each for Langhorne Creek, while Braden Altus also kicked three goals for the Demons. Best players for Langhorne Creek were Tom Derham, Matt Dominish, Howell, Jake Yard, Jarrod Kellock and Henry Bruce. Willunga was best served by Daniel Bass, Tom Messenger, Cameron Hutchens, Altus, Izaac Logan and Tyson Schmid.

Reigning premier McLaren Districts won their third game of the season after a comfortable 54-point win at Yankalilla yesterday. Yankalilla started well to take a 14-point lead at quarter time, before the Eagles hit back to lead by 13 points at the main break. A further 10 goals to four in the second half saw the Eagles win 15.16 (106) to 8.4 (52). McLaren Districts had 10 different goalkickers with Codey Ellison slotting four majors. Scott Biddle was named best for Yankalilla and kicked five goals. Other good players for the Tigers included Bailey Gaskin, Brad Fitzgerald, Ayden Duke and Jack Fitzgerald, while McLaren Districts’ best were Billy Chahla, Jarrad Bollenhagen, Jackson Daniels, Joel Vandeleur, Alex Moyle and Connor Fitt.

Victor Harbor are still undefeated and on top of the ladder after a comprehensive 109-point win at Mt Compass. The ‘Roos led at every change before winning 22.11 (143) to 4.10 (34). Sam Basham kicked 11 goals for ‘Victor’, giving him 21 in the past two weeks, while Jackson Elmes (6) and Bryce Gibbs (3) were the other multiple goalkickers. Ben Heaslip, Elmes, Basham, Jesse McKinnon, Mitchell Brook and Matthew Wiese were named best for Victor Harbor. Dylan Camac, Will Zimmermann and Tom Vitkunas were among the Bulldogs best players.

Encounter Bay won their fourth game of the season with a 157-point win at home against Goolwa/Port Elliot. The Bays led by 43 points at halftime, and kicked a further 19 goals to one in the second half to win 26.19 (175) to 3.0 (18). Kyron Pepper, Kyle Lyndon, Eli Horrocks, Kieran Garrett and Ben Davis all kicked four goals for Encounter Bay. James Bradford, Callum Tonkin, Lyndon, Horrocks, Ryan Pearsons and Jack Crispin were named best for the Bays, while the Magpies were best served by Kaiden Wilton, Jiye Hoad and Harry Nissen.

Myponga-Sellicks are also undefeated and sitting in second spot on the GSFL ladder after defeating Strathalbyn by 122 points. The Mudlarks won 24.17 (161) to 5.9 (39). The Mudlarks had 10 different goalkickers with John Butcher and Darren Shillabeer kicking six goals each. Mitch Godfrey kicked two goals for the Roosters. Best players for the Mudlarks included Kain Spinks, Connor Sampson, Jack Cooper, Anthony Kempster, Butcher and Ben Kennedy. ‘Strath’ were best served by Tay Crawford-Sandison, Marc Elliott, Brock Keding, Ethan Fox and Max Fergusson.

Ladder (after round 5)

Victor Harbor 10, Myponga-Sellicks 9, Langhorne Creek 8, Encounter Bay 8, McLaren Districts 7, Mt Compass 4, Yankalilla 2, Strathalbyn 2, Willunga 0, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0.

Round 6 fixtures (home team named first)

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Strathalbyn

Langhorne Creek v Myponga-Sellicks

Mt Compass v McLaren Districts

Victor Harbor v Willunga

Yankalilla v Encounter Bay