Strathalbyn won a thrilling contest against Willunga to move into third spot on the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) ladder after round four. It was a big day at Strathalbyn with the 1960, 2000 and 2010 premiership teams being honoured in the magnificent Roosters clubrooms. A tight opening quarter saw Willunga lead by a point at the first change before the home side stamped their authority on the contest with a five goal to two second term to lead by 19 points at halftime. Willunga turned the game around in the ‘premiership quarter’ to go into the final term with a slender two-point lead but it could’ve had a bigger margin but for kicking an inaccurate 5.6 for the quarter. The Roosters steadied in the last term to kick four goals to two and win 13.11 (89) to 11.14 (80). Richard O’Grady kicked four goals for the Roosters in a best on ground performance while Todd Martin and Sean Beath slotted three majors for the Demons.

McLaren kept their unblemished 2020 record intact with a solid 27-point win at home against Yankalilla. After a tight opening half saw McLaren lead by just five points, the home side pulled away after halftime to win 12.12 (84) to 9.3 (57). Daniel Marr kicked four goals in a best on ground performance for the Eagles. John Morris and Jed Durdin each kicked two goals for the Tigers with Luke Durdin being named as Yankalilla’s best.

Langhorne Creek continue to firm as premiership favourites following a comfortable 74-point win at Goolwa/Port Elliot. The Hawks were never in danger as they led by 20 points at quarter time, 35 at halftime, 38 points at three quarter time before an eight goal to two final term saw the final score balloon out to 16.12 (108) to 5.4 (34). For the Hawks, Coby Helyar kicked his second ‘bag’ of five goals for the season and Ben McLeod kicked three. Matthew Dominish was named best for Langhorne Creek for the second time this season. Brock Godwin-Knott played a lone hand up forward for the Magpies kicking four goals.

Mount Compass moved into the top five with a convincing 19.17 (131) to 7.7 (49) victory over bottom side Victor Harbor at Victor. Compass were never troubled as they turned a 38-point lead at halftime into a 82-point win at the final siren. In his first game since moving from Noarlunga, Nick Mott kicked six goals with Sam Scudds and Adam Hunter kicking three for the Bulldogs. Sam Basham was a shining light for Victor with his second haul of four goals for the season.

Encounter Bay also moved inside the top five after defeating Myponga-Sellicks by 43 points at Myponga on Saturday. The Bays played an excellent first half to lead by 55 points at the long break. The Mudlarks kept on battling and actually won the second half, kicking seven goals to five with the final score being Encounter Bay 16.11 (107) to Myponga-Sellicks 9.10 (64). Nick Marshall, Tyson Neale and Elijah Horrocks each kicked three goals for the Bays while Bradley Clarke was the only multiple goalkicker for the Mudlarks with two majors.

Ladder (after Round 4)

Langhorne Creek 8, McLaren 8, Strathalbyn 6, Encounter Bay 5, Mount Compass 5, Willunga 4, Yankalilla 4, Willunga 4, Myponga-Sellicks 0, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0, Victor Harbor 0.

Round 5 fixtures (home team named first)

Langhorne Creek v Willunga

McLaren v Strathalbyn

Mount Compass v Goolwa/Port Elliot 

Victor Harbor v Myponga-Sellicks

Yankalilla v Encounter Bay