Reigning premier McLaren Districts got their premiership defence off to the perfect start with a tough 19-point win at Mount Compass on Saturday, during round one action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL). The Eagles skipped out to a commanding 29-point lead at halftime, and it looked like a big win was on the cards. To Mount Compass’ credit, they outscored the reigning premiers in the second half, kicking five goals to three, but it wasn’t enough as the visitors triumphed 10.9 (69) to 7.8 (50). Lachlan Camm, Max Gill, and Kiefver Zohar all kicked two goals for McLaren Districts. Ziggy Vitkunas was the Bulldogs leading goal kicker with three goals. Best players for the reigning premier were Sam Lawrie, Kaine Hopkins, Ashley Goodieson, Gill, and Todd McKay. Ziggy Vitkunas was named best for Mount Compass and he was well supported by Nathan Hicks, Adam Hunter, Tom Pinyon, and Jordan Hooper.

Langhorne Creek started the 2023 season well with a 37-point win over Encounter Bay on Saturday. The game was tight in the first half, with the Hawks leading by a solitary point at halftime. The ‘Creeks’ flexed their muscles in the second half, as they kicked 11 goals to five, to win 17.7 (109) to 11.6 (72). Mitch Cleggett and Caleb Howell kicked four goals each for the Hawks, while Tyson Neale slotted three majors for the Bays. Best players for Langhorne Creek included Darcy Clifford, Tom Derham, Howell, Jarrod Kellock, and Malakai Kartinyeri. Best for Encounter Bay were Tyler Baldock, Marcus Lippett, Tom Pearsons, Hamish Tonkin, and Fraser Tonkin. 

Goolwa/Port Elliot defeated Yankalilla by 14 points in their opening round clash at Goolwa. Yankalilla led by three points at halftime, before the Magpies kicked five goals to two in the second half to win 7.10 (52) to 4.14 (38). Finn Hayden and Tom Fergusson were the only multiple goal kickers with two goals each for Goolwa/Port Elliot. Ryan Carnelly, James Fry, Jacob Hughes, Brett Heintze, and Jye Bottroff were best for the Magpies. For Yankalilla, Joel Kay, Luke Bartlett, Scott Biddle, Brad Fitzgerald, and Sam Crawford were named as their best players.

Strathalbyn had a tough 10-point win against Myponga-Sellicks to open the 2023 season at Myponga. The Roosters led at every change to win 9.9 (63) to 7.11 (53). Riley Clamp and Lachlan Fox kicked two goals each for ‘Strath’, while Jayden Scott led the way for the Mudlarks with three goals. Best players for Strathalbyn included Adam Clark, Brock Keding, Jake Stafford, Richard O’Grady, and Cooper Machin. Myponga-Sellicks were best served by Harrison Cock, Jake Spinks, Scott, Kain Spinks, and Ben Kennedy. 

2022 runner-up Willunga defeated Victor Harbor by 35 points under lights at Victor on Saturday night. The home side burst out of the blocks in the first term to lead by 21 points at quarter time, but from then on it was all Willunga. The Demons kicked 12 goals to four over the last three quarters to win 13.13 (91) to 8.8 (56). Ryan Sherry was the dominant forward on the ground with six goals for the Demons, while Sean Beath kicked three. Sam Basham (3) and Harry Vincent (2) were the multiple goal kickers for the ‘Roos. Best players for Willunga were Brett Miegel, Daniel Lee, Sherry, Danny Juckers, and Tom Messenger. Jesse McKinnon, Michael Ross, Ryan Fletcher, Rhys Bartram, and Zac Dowling were best for Victor Harbor. 

Ladder after Round 1

Willunga 2, Langhorne Creek 2, McLaren Districts 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Strathalbyn 2, Myponga-Sellicks 0, Yankalilla 0, Mount Compass 0, Encounter Bay 0, Victor Harbor 0. 

Round 2 Fixtures

Encounter Bay v Victor Harbor

McLaren Districts v Willunga

Mount Compass v Goolwa/Port Elliot

Yankalilla v Myponga-Sellicks

Strathalbyn v Langhorne Creek (Tuesday 25/4 @ 6.30pm)