McLaren have inflicted reigning premier Langhorne Creek’s first loss of 2020 after defeating the Hawks by 54 points at Langhorne Creek during round six action of the Great Southern Football League (GSFL). McLaren lost their first match of the season last week but they bounced back magnificently to defeat the reigning premier 13.9 (87) to 4.9 (33). McLaren started well to lead by 19 points at quarter time before an even second term saw McLaren still in front by 17 points at halftime. Langhorne Creek would’ve been confident of working their way back into the game in the second half but the Eagles completely snuffed out any chance of a comeback as they kicked eight goals to two to run away with the win. James Grimley, Jordan Mutton and Max Wakefield all kicked three goals for the victorious McLaren outfit. Steve Kahl, Kaine Hopkins, Alex Moyle, Brett Ellis and Kiefver Zohar were named best for the Eagles while Tom Derham, Troy Blackwell, Shannon Jones, Jedd Rothe and James Sellar were best for the Hawks.

Mount Compass won their fifth game on the trot with a 36-point victory at Yankalilla. Mount Compass got off to a fast start to lead by 26 points at quarter time. A further three goals to none in the second term saw the Bulldogs take an unassailable 41-point lead into the long break. To their credit, Yankalilla won the second half by kicking five goals to four as the final score ended in Mount Compass’ favour 13.9 (87) to 7.9 (51). Patrick Marshall and Shane Heatley each kicked three goals for Compass while Jed Durdin also kicked three majors for the Tigers. Bigman Peter Hoban turned in a best on ground performance for Mount Compass and he was well supported by Sam Haniford, Tomas Vitkunas, Klaus Simons and Brent Creek. Luke Durdin, Lindsay Thomas and Campbell Bellaney were among the best players for the Tigers.

Myponga-Sellicks won their second game for season 2020 with a hard fought 4.11 (35) to 3.5 (23) win over Goolwa/Port Elliot at Myponga. The home side had the better of the first term to lead by seven points at quarter time before Goolwa/Port Elliot kicked two goals to none in the second quarter to take a seven point lead of their own into halftime. Myponga-Sellicks had most of the play in the second half as they kicked 2.8 while keeping the Magpies to a solitary behind to seal a gritty 12-point win. Brad Clarke, Scott Ogilvie, Anthony Kempster, Ben Hamilton and Daniel Trevena were best for the Mudlarks while for the Magpies, Daniel Fry was named their best player for the third time this season and he was supported by Ethan Cinc, Scott Kilgallon, Damien Nangle and Cody Griffiths.

Encounter Bay consolidated their spot in the top five with a come-from-behind 24-point victory at Strathalbyn. Encounter Bay started well to lead by 21 points at halftime and they seemingly had the game well in hand. Strathalbyn had other ideas as they came out firing in the ‘premiership quarter’ to kick six goals to one for the term and head for home with a slender nine point lead. Encounter Bay hit back in the last term to dominate with the quarter being a complete mirror image of the third quarter as the Bays kicked six goals to one themselves to win 14.11 (95) to 10.11 (71). Gary Karpany kicked four goals for the winners while Ben Simounds kicked three majors for the Roosters. Tyson Neale, Jack Crispin, Nick Marshall, Callum Tonkin and Karpany were the best players for Encounter Bay with Tom McNamara, Mark Tucker, Xavier Redden, Jacob Wright and Joel Hodgson best for Strathalbyn.

Willunga survived a scare from bottom side Victor Harbor to keep their spot in the top five with just two rounds left before the major round. After a tight first half saw Willunga lead by just three points, Victor kicked two goals to one in the third term to take an 11-point lead at the last change and the home side and its supporters were eyeing off a maiden win for 2020. Willunga dug deep in the last quarter to kick four goals to one and win by six points, 11.4 (70) to 9.10 (64). Daniel Lee kicked three goals for the Demons while Sam Basham was a star up forward for Victor as he kicked six goals, giving him 20 for the season so far. Daniel Bass, Braden Altus, Sean Beath, Mitch Portlock and Brett Miegel shone for Willunga. With his six goals, Sam Basham was best for the ‘Roos and he was supported by Mitch McRostie, Brok Schubert, Nathan McCarthy and Jacob Eats.

Ladder (after Round 7)

Langhorne Creek 12, McLaren 12, Mount Compass 11, Encounter Bay 9, Willunga 8, Yankalilla 6, Strathalbyn 6, Myponga-Sellicks 4, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Victor Harbor 0.

Round 8 fixtures (home team named first)

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Encounter Bay

Langhorne Creek v Yankalilla

McLaren v Mount Compass

Victor Harbor v Strathalbyn

Willunga v Myponga-Sellicks