McLaren started the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) season in devastating fashion with a crushing 114-point win at home over Victor Harbor. It was a dominant performance from the Eagles as they led by 27 points at quarter time, 57 at half time, 63 points at the last change before a nine goal to one final term saw the final score blowout to 23.12 (150) to 5.6 (36). It was a powerful allround performance from McLaren who had 11 different goalkickers, led by James Grimley who slotted seven majors. Chris Bradwell and Steve Kahl chimed in with three goals each. Kahl was best on ground for the winners and he was well supported by former Meningie player Todd McKay, Grimley, Brett Ellis and Stuart Green. It was a tough day for Victor with Tyson Levy the only shining light up forward with three goals. Brok Schubert, Rhys Bartram, Lachlan Arnold, Dylan Kleinig and Levy were named best for the Roos.

Lindsay Thomas began his stint as playing-coach at Yankalilla with a 31-point home win over Myponga-Sellicks. The Tigers have recruited well in the off-season, securing not only Thomas but former South Adelaide pair Bradley Crabb and Nick Liddle. Yankalilla were never seriously threatened by Myponga-Sellicks as the home side raced to a 43-point lead at three-quarter time. The Mudlarks put some respectability on the scoreboard in the final term by kicking four goals to two as Yankalilla won 10.11 (71) to 5.10 (40). Ryan Fisher kicked three goals for the Tigers while Tyler Harman kicked two for Myponga-Sellicks. Ashley Bond, Joel Kay, Ben Shute, Xavier Gotch and Crabb were named best players for the Tigers while Sam Kennedy, Dylan Lang, Liam Partridge, Bradley Clarke and Brett Baillie were best for the Mudlarks.

Strathalbyn and Goolwa/Port Elliot had a tight tussle at Goolwa Oval on Saturday with the visitors coming out on top by 19 points, 14.8 (92) to 11.7 (73). After a tight opening half saw Strathalbyn lead by just two points at the long break, the Roosters stretched their lead to 13 points by the last change before kicking four goals to three in the final term to win by 19 points. Gun Strathalbyn forward Ben Simounds kicked four goals in a best on ground display while Marc Elliott also kicked four for the Roosters. New recruit and former Crows player Brodie Martin was also named in the best players along with Ryan Clarke, Liam Stirling and Aaron Noske. For the gallant Magpies, Tom Ferguson kicked three goals with new playing-coach Todd Miles, Brad Prior, Daniel Fry, Ferguson and Oscar Barnett named in the best players.

2019 runners-up Willunga had a convincing 55-point victory at Mount Compass to launch their 2020 campaign. The Demons led by 25 points at halftime before taking control of the game completely in the second half to win 14.10 (94) to 5.9 (39). Daniel Lee led the way for the winners with three goals. Nick Scanlan was best on ground for Willunga and he was ably supported by Bradley Haskett, Sean Beath, Braden Altus and Danny Irvine. It was a tough day for the home side with no multiple goalkickers. Sam Haniford, Will Zimmermann, Peter Hoban, Brent Creek and Tim Green battled hard for the Bulldogs.

Reigning premier Langhorne Creek began their quest for a third successive flag with a tough 24-point win at Encounter Bay. The Hawks led by just four points at quarter time and by 11 points at the long break before a decisive four goals to one third term set up the 12.9 (81) to 8.9 (57) victory. Goal-sneak Lachy McGregor snagged four majors while Coby Helyar kicked three and Caleb Howell two. Tom Neville, Tyson Neale and Nick Marshall kicked two goals each for Encounter Bay. Helyar, Howell, Curtis Perrey, David Warren and Ben Arbon were named best players for the Hawks while for the Bays Tyler Baldock, James Bradford, Callum Tonkin, Tom Bonnes and Neville were amongst their best players.

Round 2 fixtures (Home team named first)

Mount Compass v Encounter Bay

Myponga-Sellicks v McLaren

Strathalbyn v Yankalilla

Victor Harbor v Langhorne Creek

Willunga v Goolwa/Port Elliot