McLaren Eagles finished the minor round undefeated after defeating Encounter Bay by 135 points during round 18 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) yesterday. The Eagles won all 18 matches, by an average of 79 points, and are warm favourites to take out their first ‘A’ grade title since 2003. McLaren dominated all day to win 25.9 (159) to 3.6 (24). The Eagles had 13 different goalkickers including Brett Ellis (5), James Grimley (4) and Jordan Mutton (3). Blake Bailey, James Brown and Nick Marshall kicked the Bays’ three goals. Skipper Ellis was named best for the Eagles and he was well supported by Lachlan Matthews, Codey Ellison, Sam Lawrie and Jamie Smith. Best for the Bays were Andrew Fyfe, Cory Gamble, Patrick McInerney, Lachlan Williams and Tyson Neale. 

Langhorne Creek stormed into the finals after a huge 137-point win against Goolwa/Port Elliot at Goolwa yesterday. It was the sixth win from their past eight matches for the Hawks, and they are in ominous form entering the major round. The ‘Creeks’ had a handy 45-point lead at halftime, before kicking a further 18 goals to four in the second half, to win 27.15 (177) to 6.4 (40). Langhorne Creek had 11 different goalkickers including Ben Arbon (5), Coby Helyar (5), Caleb Howell (4) and Brodie O’Dea (3), while Trent Griffen kicked two goals for the Magpies. Best players for the Hawks included David Warren, Troy Blackwell, O’Dea, Howell and Matt Tonkin. Goolwa/Port Elliot were best served by Jaid Cooper, Dene McKinlay, Rory Hausser, Daniel Fry and Leo Harrison.

Reigning premier Willunga warmed up for their premiership defence with a resounding 62-point victory against Victor Harbor. The first three quarters were pretty even with the Demons leading by a handy 21 points at the last change. The last quarter was all Willunga as they kicked eight goals to one to win 18.11 (119) to 8.9 (57). Brad Haskett starred up forward for Willunga with six goals, while Sam Basham kicked five goals for Victor Harbor. Cam Hutchens was named best on ground for Willunga and he was ably supported by Darcy Scott, Harrison Mills, Danny Juckers and Haskett. Best for ‘Victor’ included Jesse McKinnon, Rhys Bartram, Dylan Kleinig, James Mulhern and Basham. 

Mount Compass finished their season on a high with a 63-point win at home against Yankalilla. The Bulldogs trailed by five points at quarter time, before kicking12 goals to two for the rest of the match to win 16.15 (111) to 7.6 (48). Tom Dix and Adam Hunter kicked three goals each for the Bulldogs, while Maison Linke, Matt James and Ayden Duke kicked two goals each for the Tigers. Dix, Shane Heatley, Hunter, Klaus Simons and Brandon McKenzie were named best players for ‘Compass’. Best for Yankalilla included Matthew Wilson, Sam Crawford, Angus Weir, Jesse Fitzgerald and Duke. 

Strathalbyn and Myponga/Sellicks played out the first draw of the season in a high standard match at ‘Strath’ yesterday, with both sides finishing on 15.9 (99). The game was tight all day with the Mudlarks taking a 10-point lead into the last term. The Roosters played a great last quarter, kicking six goals to four, to tie the game up. Ben Simounds, Riley Clamp and Marc Elliott kicked four goals each for Strathalbyn. Jayden Scott was the best forward for the Mudlarks with five goals. Best players for Strathalbyn were Elliott, Tom Redden, Xavier Redden, Simounds and Lachlan Butler. Thomas Carroll, Scott Ogilvie, Ryan Kelly, Ben Kennedy and Anthony Kempster were best for Myponga/Sellicks.

Ladder after Round 18

McLaren 36, Willunga 26, Myponga/Sellicks 25, Langhorne Creek 20, Encounter Bay 20, Strathalbyn 19, Victor Harbor 18, Mount Compass 12, Yankalilla 4, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0. 

Qualifying Final

Willunga v Myponga/Sellicks (Saturday 27/8 @ Mount Compass)

Elimination Final

Langhorne Creek v Encounter Bay (Sunday 28/8 @ McLaren Vale)