Strathalbyn won a thrilling contest at home against Yankalilla in round two action of the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday. Strathalbyn led by 32 points at three quarter time before a late run from the Tigers in the last quarter, where they kicked 5.2 to 0.1, saw Strathalbyn cling on to a one-point victory. The final scores were Strathalbyn 13.7 (85) to Yankalilla 12.12 (84). The Roosters had eight different goalkickers with gun recruit Brodie Martin kicking three. Jed Durdin was a star up forward for the Tigers kicking five majors. Zac Edwards, Martin and Liam Stirling were best for the winners while for Yankalilla, Nick Liddle, Chris Clark and Xavier Gotch were named among their best players. Strathalbyn remain as one of four undefeated teams after the opening two rounds. Yankalilla sits in fifth place with a 1-1 record.

Mount Compass have fought back to claim an exciting draw in their match against Encounter Bay. The Bays led by 13 points at the last change in a low scoring encounter on a blustery afternoon at Mount Compass but the home side would not be denied as they kicked the only two goals of the final term to leave the scores locked at the final siren. The final scores were Mount Compass 6.10 (46) to Encounter Bay 7.4 (46). Nick Marshall was the leading forward on the ground as he snagged three goals for the Bays while Ziggy Vitkunas kicked two for the Bulldogs. Tyson Neale was best for Encounter Bay and he was supported by Cory Gamble, Hamish Tonkin, Braedon Renshaw and Nick Marshall. For Compass Peter Hoban, Sam Haniford, Adam Hunter, Braden Ritter and Brandon McKenzie were their best players.

McLaren remain on top of the GSFL ladder after a tough 16-point win at Myponga against Myponga-Sellicks. It was a tight affair all day and at the last change, the home side had a five-point lead. McLaren upped the ante in the final term to hold the Mudlarks scoreless while kicking three goals themselves to win 8.9 (57) to 6.5 (41). Brendan Gill for McLaren and Sam Kennedy for Myponga-Sellicks were the only multiple goalkickers for the day with three goals each. Stuart Green, Alex Boyle and Sam Bentley were best for the Eagles while Brett Baillie, Tyler Harman and Kennedy battled hard for a brave Mudlarks outfit.

Reigning premier Langhorne Creek had a percentage-boosting win over Victor Harbor to the tune of 140 points at Victor. It’s been a very difficult start to 2020 for the Roos with two 100+ point losses to start the shortened season. On Saturday Langhorne Creek led by 33 points at quarter time, 61 points at halftime, 84 points at three quarter time before a 10 goal to one final term saw the final scores as Langhorne Creek 28.15 (183) to Victor Harbor 7.1 (43). The Hawks shared the goals around with 12 different goalkickers with Mitch Cleggett kicking eight in a best on ground performance. Coby Helyar (5), Jarrod Kellock (3), David Warren (2), Matt Tonkin (2) and Nick Sproull (2) were the other multiple goalkickers. Sam Basham was a standout for the Roos kicking four goals.

2019 runner-up Willunga moved up to third spot on the GSFL ladder following a convincing 54-point victory over Goolwa/Port Elliot at Willunga. The Demons were never threatened in winning 13.18 (96) to 6.6 (42). Willunga shared the goals around with Todd Martin, Billy Cook, Jake Standfield and Sean Beath all kicking two goals. Magpies playing coach Todd Miles also kicked two goals. Cam Hutchens, Lachlan Scott and Marcus Burdett were among the best players for the winners while for Goolwa/Port Elliot, Daniel Fry continued his good start to the season to be named the Magpies best along with James Fry and Brock Godwin-Knott.

Ladder after Round 2

McLaren 4, Langhorne Creek 4, Willunga 4, Strathalbyn 4, Yankalilla 2, Encounter Bay 1, Mount Compass 1, Myponga-Sellicks 0, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0, Victor Harbor 0.

Round 3 fixtures (home team named first)

Encounter Bay v Victor Harbor

Langhorne Creek v Strathalbyn

Mount Compass v Myponga-Sellicks

Willunga v McLaren

Yankalilla v Goolwa/Port Elliot