Victor Harbor moved inside the top-three with a 34-point victory against Mount Compass during round eight action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) yesterday. Scores were level at quarter time, before ‘Victor’ kicked five goals to one in the second quarter to take a handy 25-point lead at halftime. The ‘Roos kicked eight goals to seven in the second half to win 17.7 (109) to 12.3 (75). Victor Harbor skipper Jesse McKinnon was best-on-ground and he was well supported by Heath Treloar, Jackson Elmes, Dylan Kleinig and Tom Neville. Michael Ross kicked four goals for the ‘Roos, while Rhys Mutch and Sam Overall kicked three goals each. Adam Hunter, Lochie Nash, Tomas Vitkunas, Matthew King and William Zimmermann were named best players for Mount Compass. Tom Pinyon continued his good season with five goals for the Bulldogs.

Myponga-Sellicks consolidated their spot in the top-three with a 26-point win against 2022 runners-up Willunga at Myponga yesterday. It was a third straight win for the Mudlarks as they triumphed 11.13 (79) to 7.11 (53). The Mudlarks’ Harrison Cock continued his excellent season with a best-on-ground display, with other good players for the winners being Sam Kennedy, Ben Kennedy, Jake Spinks and Luke Whitford. Jayden Scott was Myponga-Sellicks’ leading goalkicker with three majors, giving him 28 goals for the season. Best players for the Demons included Brett Miegel, Sam Renney, Nick Scanlan, Brad Haskett and Sam Tregenza. Daniel Lee was the only multiple goalkicker for Willunga with three goals. 

Strathalbyn won their fourth game of 2023 with a 40-point win against bottom side Yankalilla. The game was still in the balance at three quarter time as the Roosters led by 19 points. ‘Strath’ finished strongly, kicking five goals in the last term, to win 16.14 (110) to 11.4 (70). Ben Simounds was a star up forward for the Roosters with seven goals, giving him 27 for the season. Strathalbyn skipper Marc Elliott and Mitchell Godfrey kicked three goals each, as did James Hargreaves for the Tigers. Veteran Mark Tucker was named best for the Roosters and he was well supported by Simounds, Cooper Machin, Jacob Wright and Jack Gilbert. Best players for Yankalilla included Hargreaves, Mitchell Schwerdt, Angus Weir, Jacob Parsons and Hugo Johnston. 

Langhorne Creek also won their fourth game of the season after a tight tussle with Goolwa/Port Elliot saw the Hawks come out on top 10.17 (77) to 9.13 (67). Goolwa/Port Elliot got off to an excellent start as they led by 22 points at quarter time. Langhorne Creek hit back in the next two quarters to take a slender two-point lead at the final change. The Hawks proved too strong in the end, kicking four goals to two in the last quarter, to win by 10 points. Caleb Howell kicked three majors for the Hawks, while Justin Watson also kicked three goals for the Magpies. Tom Derham, Jarrod Kellock, Howell, Mitchell Cleggett and Jack Hall were named best for the Hawks, while Brett Heintze, Daniel Fry, Jacob Hughes, Jordan Turner and Lucas Hughes were best for the Magpies.

McLaren Districts won their 28th straight game with a comfortable 40-point win at home against Encounter Bay. The win was set up by a dominant first quarter that saw the Eagles kick 5.7 (37) to no score to lead by 37 points at the first change. The rest of the game was pretty even as the reigning premier won 12.10 (82) to 5.12 (42). McLaren Districts skipper Brett Ellis was best on ground, while other good players for the Eagles were Todd McKay, Alex Moyle, Daniel Marr and Jamie Smith. Matthew Merrett was the leading goalkicker on the field with three goals for the Eagles. Best players for the Bays included Tyler Baldock, Jack Crispin, Mason Middleton, Callum Tonkin and Ambrose Willoughby. 

Ladder after Round 8

McLaren Districts 16, Myponga-Sellicks 12, Victor Harbor 10, Mount Compass 10, Willunga 10, Langhorne Creek 8, Strathalbyn 8, Encounter Bay 4, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Yankalilla 0.

Round 9 Fixtures

Encounter Bay v Strathalbyn

Willunga v Goolwa/Port Elliot

Langhorne Creek v Victor Harbor

Mount Compass v Myponga-Sellicks 

Yankalilla v McLaren Districts