Myponga-Sellicks consolidated their spot in the top-three after an upset 18-point victory over Victor Harbor during round 16 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) at Victor Harbor on Saturday. ‘Victor’ led by three points at halftime, before the Mudlarks kicked five goals to two in the third quarter to turn for home with a handy 16-point lead. It was an even last quarter as Myponga-Sellicks won 12.12 (84) 9.12 (66). Jake Spinks was the leading goalkicker on the field with four majors for the Mudlarks, while Jackson Elmes kicked three goals for the ‘Roos. Best players for the Mudlarks included Ben Kennedy, Mitch Wilkins, Levi Proude, Jake Spinks, Anthony Kempster and Sam Kennedy. Victor Harbor’s best were Elmes, Ben Heaslip, Harry Vincent, Mitchell Brook, Zac Dowling and Jaymes Hewett.

Willunga won their fifth game of 2024 after a come-from-behind 14-point win at Yankalilla. ‘Yank’ led by 27 points at halftime and were looking good to notch their fourth win of the season. Willunga came to life in the second half, kicking 10 goals to three to win 12.8 (80) to 10.6 (66). Tyson Schmid, Harrison Mills, Jaxon Hams and Sean Beath kicked two goals each for Willunga, while Joel Kay kicked four goals for Yankalilla. The Demons’ best were Beath, Job Colwell, Sam Tregenza, Daniel Bass, Hams and Seb Hoeck. Yankalilla was best served by Will Hogben, Kay, Liam Gerber, Mackenzie Ryan, Lachlan Whittlesea and Oliver Carpenter.

Reigning premier McLaren Districts tuned up for finals with a convincing 129-point victory over Goolwa/Port Elliot. The Eagles led by 22 points at quarter time, 62 points at halftime and 97 points at the last change, before winning 24.22 (166) to 6.1 (37). McLaren Districts had 10 different goalkickers with Cameron Jarrett leading the way with five majors. Kai Iwao kicked two goals for the Magpies. Daniel Marr was best-on-ground for McLaren Districts and he was well supported by Harrison Evans, Henry Mathews, Brett Ellis, Sam Lawrie and Connor Fitt. Best players for Goolwa/Port Elliot included Ryan Carnelly, Dene McKinlay, Ken Angus, Logan Payne, Ryan Pearce and Sam O'Flaherty.

Mt Compass won their sixth game of the season after an upset 37-point win against Langhorne Creek on Saturday. The Bulldogs won every quarter on their way to a 13.9 (87) to 7.8 (50) triumph.  Ziggy Vitkunas was a star up forward for the Bulldogs with six goals, while vice-captain Lochie Nash kicked three majors. Caleb Howell and Darcy Clifford kicked two goals for Langhorne Creek. Tom Vitkunas, Brandon McKenzie, Ziggy Vitkunas, Adam Hunter, Nash and Cody Connor were named best players for Mt Compass, while for Langhorne Creek, Tom Derham, Mitch Cleggett, Howell, Daniel Cleggett, Peter Reichelt and Heath McDougall were their best.

Encounter Bay kept their top-three hopes alive with a tight 9.9 (63) to 9.7 (61) victory at Strathalbyn on Saturday. Griffin Clark was named best for the Bays and he was ably supported by Kyron Pepper (3 goals), Cory Gamble, Tyson Neale (2 goals), Hamish Tonkin and Tyler Baldock. Ben Simounds was the standout forward for the Roosters with five goals (54 for the season), while their best players were Brock Keding, Tay Crawford-Sandison, Thomas Welk, Simounds, Cooper Machin and Marc Elliott.

Ladder (after round 16)

Victor Harbor 28, McLaren Districts 27, Myponga-Sellicks 25, Encounter Bay 24, Langhorne Creek 18, Mt Compass 12, Willunga 10, Strathalbyn 10, Yankalilla 6, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0.

Round 17 fixtures (home team named first)

Yankalilla v Strathalbyn

Encounter Bay v McLaren Districts

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Myponga-Sellicks

Langhorne Creek v Victor Harbor

Mt Compass v Willunga