Reigning premier Langhorne Creek has flexed its considerable muscle to thrash Strathalbyn by 113 points and move to the top of the ladder in round three action of the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday at Langhorne Creek. After a tight opening quarter saw the home side lead by just eight points, the Hawks exploded in the second quarter kicking 11 goals to one to take an unassailable 68-point lead into halftime. A further 11 goals to four in the second half saw the final score of 27.15 (177) to 9.10 (64). Langhorne Creek had 11 different goalkickers with playing-coach James Sellar kicking six and Lachie McGregor slotting five majors. Ben Simounds was the standout forward for the Roosters kicking five goals. Dave Warren continued his excellent season with a best on ground performance and he was well supported by Sellar, Curtis Perrey, Caleb Howell and Jarrod Kellock. For Strathalbyn, Daniel Peglar, Zac Edwards, Mark Tucker, Simounds and Richard O’Grady were named as best players.

McLaren remain undefeated after a thrilling four-point victory at Willunga. Five points was the largest margin at any break when McLaren were in front at quarter time. The game ebbed and flowed as Willunga turned for home with a slender four-point lead. McLaren kicked 3.3 to 2.1 in the final term to win 12.12 (84) to 12.8 (80). Max Wakefield and James Grimley kicked three goals each for the Eagles while Danie Lee was a constant threat up forward for the Demons with five majors. Ashley Goodieson, Brett Ellis, Kiefver Zohar (in his 200th game), Brendan Gill and Kaine Hopkins were named best for the Eagles. Marcus Burdett, Lee, Braden Altus, Reid Colwell and Brett Miegel were best for Willunga.

Playing-coach Lindsay Thomas has helped fire Yankalilla to their second win of the season with an 83-point win over Goolwa/Port Elliot at Yankalilla. The former Kangaroos and Power player kicked nine goals as the Tigers won 18.10 (118) to 5.5 (35). After a tight opening quarter saw Yankalilla lead by 10 points, it was all Tigers from then on as they kicked 15 goals to three for the rest of the game. Xavier Gotch, Jack Fitzgerald, Joel Kay, Thomas and Chris Clark were named best for Yankalilla. Daniel Fry kicked two goals for the Magpies and was named as their best player along with playing-coach Todd Miles, Caleb Pope, Rhett Perry and Mckale O’Flaherty.

Mount Compass notched their first win of 2020 with a 36-point win at home over Myponga-Sellicks. It was a tight game for the first three quarters as the home side led by just 12 points at the last change. The Bulldogs came out full of running in the final quarter to kick five goals to one and win 14.9 (93) to 8.9 (57). Braden Ritter kicked four goals for the winners while Sam Kennedy continued his good start to 2020 with three goals. Tim Green, Joss Davis and Peter Hoban were named amongst the Bulldogs best players. Dylan Lang was named best for the Mudlarks with help from Sam Kennedy and Brett Baillie.

Encounter Bay also had their first win of 2020 defeating bottom side Victor Harbor at home by 48 points. The Bays led by 19 points at quarter time, 35 points at halftime and 43 points at the last change before kicking four goals to three in the last quarter to win 13.14 (92) to 6.8 (44). Elijah Horrocks (4), Gary Karpany (4) and Tyson Neale (3) were the multiple goalkickers for Encounter Bay. Tyler Baldock was named best player for the Bays and he was well supported by Neale, Tom Bonnes, Karpany and Horrocks. Zac Dowling, Billy Wade and Dylan Kleinig were best for the Roos.

Ladder after Round 3

Langhorne Creek 6, McLaren 6, Yankalilla 4, Willunga 4, Strathalbyn 4, Encounter Bay 3, Mount Compass 3, Myponga-Sellicks 0, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0, Victor Harbor 0.

Round 4 fixtures (Home team named first)

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Langhorne Creek

McLaren v Yankalilla

Myponga-Sellicks v Encounter Bay

Strathalbyn v Willunga

Victor Harbor v Mount Compass