Reigning premier McLaren Districts wrapped up the minor premiership after a convincing 107-point win against Yankalilla during round 18 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday. The Eagles led by 40 points at halftime, before kicking 10 unanswered goals in the second half to win 18.13 (121) to 2.2 (14). The Eagles had 10 different goalkickers including Lachlan Camm and Jamie Smith who kicked three goals each. Tim Dellatorre and Mitchell Schwerdt kicked the two goals each for the Tigers. Best players for McLaren Districts included Sam Lawrie, Todd McKay, Max Gill, Tarak Redigolo and Brett Ellis. Yankalilla were best served by Angus Weir, Jack Fitzgerald and Chris Clark. 

Encounter Bay finished their season on a high after defeating Strathalbyn by 36 points in a high-scoring contest. The Bays trailed by 15 points at halftime, but kicked 15 goals to seven in the second half to win 21.12 (138) to 15.12 (102). The Bays had 10 different goalkickers including Kyron Pepper (5) and skipper Tyson Neale (4). Ben Simounds kicked six goals for the Roosters to take out the GSFL goalkicking with 71 majors for the season. Best players for Encounter Bay included Callum Tonkin, Pepper, Fraser Tonkin, Tyler Baldock and Ben Davis. Best for ‘Strath’ were Lachlan Butler, Simounds, Marc Elliott, Will Stafford and Fletcher Duffield. 

Willunga will go into Sunday’s elimination final against Mount Compass full of confidence after a huge 203-point win against Goolwa/Port Elliot in the final round. The Demons led by 34 points at quarter time, 99 points at halftime, and 157 points at the last change, before winning 36.21 (237) to 5.4 (34). Danny Juckers kicked 11 goals for the Demons in a best-on-ground display, while Jed Redden kicked eight majors. James Fry kicked two goals for the Magpies. Joining Juckers in the best players for Willunga were Sam Renney, Jack Redden, Cam Hutchens and Jed Redden. Best for the Magpies were Jesse Bates, Rory Hausser and Billy Payne. 

Victor Harbor tuned up for finals action with a comfortable 51-point win at home against Langhorne Creek. Accurate kicking from Langhorne Creek kept them in the contest in the first half as they led 9.0 (54) to 7.9 (51) at the main break. ‘Victor’ came out firing in the third term, kicking 11 goals to one, to take a commanding 59-point lead at the last change, before winning 21.14 (140) to 14.5 (89). Daniel Stock kicked seven goals for the ‘Roos and Sam Basham kicked four. Darcy Clifford also kicked four goals for the Hawks. Best players for Victor Harbor were skipper Jesse McKinnon, Matthew Wiese, Zac Dowling, Stock and Sam Overall. Jarrod Kellock, James Dawson, Troy Blackwell, Clifford and Coby Helyar were named best for Langhorne Creek. 

Myponga-Sellicks won their 14th game of 2023 following their 14-point victory against fellow finals participant Mount Compass on Saturday. The Mudlarks led at every change before running out winners 9.11 (65) to 8.3 (51). Harrison Cock and Sam Kennedy kicked two goals each for the Mudlarks, while Tom Pinyon kicked three goals for Mount Compass. Best players for the Mudlarks included Ben Kennedy, Levi Proude, Bradley Clarke, Cock and Sam Kennedy. Best for the Bulldogs were Rilee Endersby, Adam Hunter, Tom Vitkunas, Pinyon and Klaus Simons.

Ladder after Round 18

McLaren Districts 30, Myponga-Sellicks 28, Victor Harbor 26, Willunga 22, Mount Compass 22, Langhorne Creek 18, Strathalbyn 16, Encounter Bay 12, Goolwa/Port Elliot 4, Yankalilla 2.

Week 1 Finals Fixtures

Myponga-Sellicks v Victor Harbor (Qualifying Final @ McLaren Vale - Saturday 2/9/23)

Willunga v Mount Compass (Elimination Final @ Myponga - Sunday 3/9/23)