Mount Compass defeated Willunga by 18 points at Mount Compass on Saturday during round seven action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) to move top of the ladder and in the process, ended the unbeaten run of the Demons. It was a much anticipated clash between the two undefeated sides in the GSFL and it didn’t disappoint. Both sides were inaccurate in the first term with Willunga leading by 13 points at the first break. ‘Compass’ hit back in the second quarter to go to the halftime break with a slender two-point lead, before Willunga again took the lead at the last change by five points. Willunga’s lead could easily have been greater but for an inaccurate 3.8 for the quarter. Mount Compass showed their class in the final term as they kicked five goals to one to win 15.10 (100) to 10.22 (82). Tom Pinyon was best on ground for the Bulldogs with seven goals, giving him 39 for the season so far. Ziggy Vitkunas also chimed in with four goals for Mount Compass. Cam Hutchens kicked three goals for the Demons. Other good players for Mount Compass included Matthew Skrypek, Peter Hoban, Nick Mott and Shane Heatley. Best for Willunga were Braden Altus, James Collier, Hutchens, Lachlan Scott and Cameron McDonald. 

An after-the-siren goal to Riley Clamp saw Strathalbyn win a thriller against Victor Harbor by five points. ‘Strath’ were in control at the three quarter time break as they held a 21-point lead with a quarter left. The Kangaroos came home hard, kicking four of the first five goals of the last term, until Clamp stepped in to seal the win for the Roosters, 11.12 (78) to 10.13 (73). Clamp and Ryan Clarke each kicked three goals for Strathalbyn while Billy Wade and Sam Basham kicked two goals each for Victor. Richard O’Grady, Clamp, Xavier Redden, Mark Tucker and Lachlan Butler were best for the Roosters. For Victor Harbor, Rhys Bartram, Heath Treloar and Billy Wade were among their best players.

Langhorne Creek consolidated third spot on the GSFL ladder with a comfortable 83-point win against Myponga-Sellicks at Myponga. The reigning premier led by 30 points at halftime before kicking a further 11 goals to three in the second half to win 19.15 (129) to 7.4 (46). David Warren kicked four goals for the ‘Creeks’ while Caleb Howell kicked three majors. Sam Kennedy kicked three for the Mudlarks. Ben Arbon, Howell, Warren, Matt Dominish and Darcy Clifford were best for Langhorne Creek. Sam Kennedy, Jake Spinks and Jordan Kennedy were among the Mudlarks’ best players.

McLaren travelled down to Goolwa on Saturday and came away with an impressive 62-point win. The first quarter was tight with the highly fancied McLaren outfit leading by just four points at the first break. The game was completely opened up in the second term as the visiting Eagles slammed on seven goals to zero to lead by a handy 48 points at halftime. A further seven goals to four in the second half saw McLaren win 17.6 (108) to 6.10 (46). Jordon Mutton kicked eight goals for the Eagles, giving him 20 from his past three games. Brett Ellis kicked four goals for McLaren in a best on ground performance. Sam Priest kicked two majors for the Magpies. Joining Ellis in the best players for McLaren were Alex Moyle, Sam Lawrie, Mutton and Stephen Branson. Goolwa/Port Elliot were best served by Rory Hausser, Ben Cummings and Daniel Fry.

Encounter Bay moved into fifth position with a comfortable 49-point win at Yankalilla. The Bays were never threatened as they won 12.17 (89) to 6.4 (40). Encounter Bay skipper Tyson Neale and Nick Marshall each kicked three goals for the winners while Patrick Fittock also kicked three for the Tigers. Cohen Pettitt, Neale, Callum Tonkin, Hamish Tonkin and Fraser Tonkin were named in the best players for Encounter Bay. Sam Crawford, Jesse Fitzgerald, Finn Betterman, Joseph Tyllis and Joel Kay were best for Yankalilla. 

Ladder after Round 7

Mount Compass 14, Willunga 12, Langhorne Creek 12, McLaren 8, Encounter Bay 8, Strathalbyn 8, Yankalilla 4, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Victor Harbor 2, Myponga/Sellicks 0.

Round 8 Fixtures (Home team named first)

Encounter Bay v Langhorne Creek

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Strathalbyn

McLaren v Mount Compass

Willunga v Myponga/Sellicks

Yankalilla v Victor Harbor