Strathalbyn upset reigning premier Willunga by 19 points to maintain their spot in the top five during round 11 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) yesterday. Strathalbyn got off to a good start as they took a 17-point lead to quarter time before Willunga hit back in the second term, kicking three goals to zero, to lead by a point at the long break. A goalless third quarter saw Strathalbyn take a three-point lead at the last change and they finished strongly in the last quarter with four goals to two to win 10.15 (75) to 8.8 (56). Ben Simounds was a standout up forward for the Roosters with four goals, while Ryan Sherry kicked three goals for the Demons. Xavier Redden, Simounds, Tom Redden, Richard O’Grady and Mitchell Godfrey were named best for ‘Strath’. For Willunga, Billy Cook, Job Colwell and Cam Hutchens were among their best players.

Langhorne Creek kept their finals hopes alive with an excellent 54-point win at home against Encounter Bay. The Hawks are now just one win outside the top-five ahead of a huge clash against Strathalbyn next Saturday. It was a real ‘four quarter performance’ from the Hawks as they won 15.13 (103) to 7.7 (49). Langhorne Creek had nine different goalkickers with Caleb Howell slotting three majors. Jake Tarca (3) and Nick Marshall (2) were the multiple goalkickers for the Bays. Matt Dominish, David Warren, Jack Keynes, Ben Arbon and Troy Blackwell were named best players for the Hawks. Marcus Lippett, Hamish Tonkin and Cory Gamble were among the best players for the Bays.

Victor Harbor won their sixth game of 2022 with a workmanlike 32-point win against bottom side Goolwa/Port Elliot. The ‘Roos led by 26 points at quarter time and the first term would prove decisive, as the rest of the game was relatively even with ‘Victor’ winning 14.10 (94) to 9.8 (62). Co-Captain Sam Basham was excellent up forward for the ‘Roos with six goals, while Kaiden Wilton and Dale Cuthbert kicked two goals each for the Magpies. Best players for Victor Harbor were Jesse McKinnon, Basham, Lachlan Borrillo, Harry Vincent and Jackson Elmes. Goolwa/Port Elliot were best served by Ryan Carnelly, Daniel Fry, Brain Gill, Logan Payne and Oscar McCann.

Myponga/Sellicks consolidated their spot in the top-three with a tough 29-point win against Mount Compass at Myponga. The game was tight in the first half as the Mudlarks took a slender four-point lead to halftime. They pulled away from the Bulldogs in the second half with four goals to one to win 7.11 (53) to 3.6 (24). Matthew Flintham kicked three goals for the Mudlarks, while Tom Pinyon kicked two goals for Mount Compass. Scott Ogilvie continued his good season with a best-on-ground display for Myponga/Sellicks and he was well supported by Luke Whitford, Tom Carroll, Flintham and Elliot Chalmers. Best for Mount Compass included Tom Vitkunas, Klaus Simons and Corey Grove. 

The McLaren Eagles continued on their merry way in 2022 with their 11th consecutive victory, this time by 122 points over Yankalilla at McLaren Vale. The Eagles started on fire with an eight goal to one first quarter to take a 44 point lead to the first change. A further 11 goals to zero after quarter time saw the Eagles win 19.15 (129) to 1.1 (7). Skipper Brett Ellis (4), Matthew Merrett (4) and Lachlan Camm (2) were the multiple goalkickers for McLaren. Matt James kicked the Tigers’ only goal. Daniel Marr, Ellis, Merrett, Jackson Daniels and Leon Groves were named best for the Eagles while for the Tigers, Joel Kay, Adam Hunt and Will Hogben were among their best. 

Ladder after Round 11

McLaren 22, Myponga/Sellicks 16, Willunga 16, Encounter Bay 14, Strathalbyn 12, Victor Harbor 12, Langhorne Creek 10, Mount Compass 6, Yankalilla 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0.

Round 12 Fixtures (Saturday 2 July)

Encounter Bay v Victor Harbor

Mount Compass v Goolwa/Port Elliot

McLaren v Willunga 

Yankalilla v Myponga/Sellicks

Strathalbyn v Langhorne Creek