Victor Harbor showed off their premiership credentials with an excellent 52-point win against reigning premier McLaren Districts during round 15 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) at McLaren Vale yesterday. It was the fifth consecutive win for ‘Victor’, and puts them in a great position to secure the all-important double chance with finals just four weeks away. Yesterday, the ‘Roos started well to lead by 23 points at quarter time, and after an even second term, their lead was still 23 points at halftime. The third term would prove crucial as Victor Harbor kicked five unanswered goals to take a commanding 52-point lead at the last change, before they went on to win 16.14 (110) to 8.10 (58). Jackson Elmes (4), Daniel Stock (4) and Michael Ross (3) were the multiple goalkickers for 'Victor', while Codey Ellison kicked three majors for the Eagles. Best players for the ‘Roos included Zac Dowling, Jesse McKinnon, Elmes, Rhys Mutch and Ryan Fletcher. The Eagles were best served by Tom Fenoughty, Jackson Daniels, Elijah Ware, Justin Bollenhagen and Stuart Green. 

Langhorne Creek kept their finals hopes alive with an important seven-point win against Mount Compass at Langhorne Creek. ‘Compass’ started the game well, kicking the first three goals of the match to lead by 19 points at quarter time. The home side hit back in the second quarter, kicking three goals themselves to lead by a solitary point at halftime. The Hawks kicked four goals to three in the second half to win 7.11 (53) to 6.10 (46). Darcy Clifford, Malakai Kartinyeri and Jackson Dalitz all kicked two goals for Langhorne Creek, while Tom Pinyon slotted three majors. Troy Blackwell continued his good season to be named best for the Hawks and he was well supported by Coby Helyar, Jarrod Kellock, Jack Keynes and Clifford. Best for Mount Compass were Tom Vitkunas, Klaus Simons, Ziggy Vitkunas, Nathan Hicks and Leo Turner. 

Myponga-Sellicks won their 11th game of the season after a come-from-behind 11-point win at Encounter Bay. At three-quarter time, one of the upsets of the season was on the cards as the Bays led by 16 points. The Mudlarks got the ‘wake-up call’ just in time as they kicked four unanswered goals in the final term to triumph 9.8 (62) to 6.15 (51). Jayden Scott kicked three majors for the Mudlarks, while Ben Davis kicked two for Encounter Bay. Best players for Myponga-Sellicks included Harrison Cock, Connor Sampson, Jake Spinks, Ben Kennedy and Tom Carroll. Fraser Tonkin, Tyler Baldock, Callum Tonkin, Alex Horrocks and Maxi Collins were named best for Encounter Bay. 

Willunga had a percentage-boosting 161-point win against Yankalilla to keep their double chance hopes alive. The Demons led by 94 points at halftime, before kicking a further 11 goals to one in the second half to win 26.15 (171) to 1.4 (10). Willunga had an impressive 11 goalkickers including Jed Redden (7), Danny Juckers (6) and Daniel Lee (4) leading the way. Jack Fitzgerald kicked the only goal for the Tigers. Best players for Willunga included Juckers, Cam Hutchens, Harrison Mills, Jed Redden and Sam Renney. Yankalilla’s best included Jesse Fitzgerald, Chris Clark and Angus Weir.

Ben Simounds kicked a season-high 13 goals for the Roosters as Strathalbyn comprehensively accounted for Goolwa/Port Elliot to the tune of 193 points at Goolwa. Simounds has dined out on the Magpies in 2023 with a whopping 23 goals in their two encounters in 2023. Yesterday, ‘Strath’ kicked a whopping 33.18 (216) to 3.5 (23). Riley Clamp (5) and Marc Elliott (4) also hit the scoreboard for the Roosters while other good players for the Roosters included Thomas Welk, Cooper Machin and Jacob Wright. The Magpies were best served by Jordan Turner, Jye Bottroff and Daniel Fry. 

Ladder after Round 15

McLaren Districts 24, Myponga-Sellicks 22, Victor Harbor 22, Willunga 20, Mount Compass 18, Langhorne Creek 16, Strathalbyn 12, Encounter Bay 10, Goolwa/Port Elliot 4, Yankalilla 2.

Round 16 Fixtures (Saturday 12 August)

Mount Compass v Encounter Bay 

Myponga-Sellicks v Langhorne Creek

Goolwa/Port Elliot v McLaren Districts

Strathalbyn v Willunga 

Victor Harbor v Yankalilla