McLaren Eagles remained undefeated after a convincing 65-point win against Myponga/Sellicks on Saturday during round 10 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL). The top-of-the-ladder clash at McLaren Vale was highly anticipated and with scores level at quarter time, it looked like it was going to deliver. From quarter time on however, it was all the Eagles as they kicked 17 goals to five to run out winners 20.2 (122) to 8.9 (57). James Grimley kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance for the Eagles and he was joined on the best players list by Brett Ellis, Kiefver Zohar, Todd McKay and Daniel Marr. Matthew Flintham kicked three goals for the Mudlarks, while their best players were Kain Spinks, Ben Kennedy, Flintham, Jake Spinks and Levi Proude.

Willunga moved up to second spot on the ladder with a tight eight-point victory over a gallant Mount Compass. The final scores were Willunga 11.10 (76) to Mount Compass 9.14 (68). Brad Haskett kicked four goals for Willunga, while Ziggy Vitkunas kicked three majors for ‘Compass’. Brett Miegel, Haskett, Danny Irvine, Harrison Mills and Scott Brown were named best for the Demons. For Mount Compass, Ziggy Vitkunas, Tom Vitkunas, Tom Pinyon, Corey Grove and Sam Haniford were named their best players.

Victor Harbor kept pressure on the top-five with a nail-biting six point win at Langhorne Creek. The game appeared all over at halftime as ‘Victor’ led by 41 points. The Hawks came right back into the game with six goals to one in the third term to trail by just 13 points at the last change. In the end, it was a bridge too far for the Hawks as Victor Harbor held on to win 12.8 (80) to 11.8 (74). Jackson Elmes kicked three goals in a best-on-ground display for the ‘Roos and he was well supported by Ben Yeomans, Rhys Bartram, Jesse McKinnon and Harry Vincent. Coby Helyar and Josh Towk each kicked two goals for Langhorne Creek, while their best players were Darcy Clifford, Helyar, Matt Tonkin, Caleb Howell and Matt Dominish. 

Strathalbyn kept their spot in the top-five, and got a handy percentage boost, after defeating Goolwa/Port Elliot by 72 points at Goolwa. The home side started well to take a slender three point lead into quarter time, but it was all Strathalbyn after that as they kicked 16 goals to four to win 20.14 (134) to 9.8 (62). Ben Simounds kicked seven goals for the Roosters to give him 34 majors for the season so far. Riley Clamp chimed in with five goals for the Roosters, while Jesse Bates kicked two goals for the Magpies. Best players for ‘Strath’ were Tom Redden, Mitchell Godfrey, Richard O’Grady, Simounds and Clamp. Fred Nissen, Bates and Willhem Norde were among the best players for Goolwa/Port Elliot. 

Encounter Bay won their seventh game of the season following a big 123-point win against Yankalilla at Encounter Bay. The Bays led by 34 points at quarter time, 59 points at halftime and 114 points at the last change before winning 24.10 (154) to 5.1 (31). Tyson Neale kicked seven goals in a best-on-ground performance for the Bays, while teammate Nick Marshall also kicked seven goals. Other good players for the home side were James Brown, Callum Tonkin and Brad Kreuger. Best players for Yankalilla included Ayden Duke, who also kicked two goals, Maison Linke and Jack Fitzgerald. 

Ladder after Round 10

McLaren 20, Willunga 16, Myponga/Sellicks 14, Encounter Bay 14, Strathalbyn 10, Victor Harbor 10, Langhorne Creek 8, Mount Compass 6, Yankalilla 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0.

Round 11 Fixtures (Saturday 25 June)

Victor Harbor v Goolwa/Port Elliot

Strathalbyn v Willunga 

Langhorne Creek v Encounter Bay

McLaren v Yankalilla 

Myponga/Sellicks v Mount Compass