Strathalbyn won a three-point thriller against Encounter Bay to open the 2021 Great Southern Football League (GSFL) season at Strathalbyn Oval on Saturday. It was a tight game from the start with the home side leading by three points at quarter time and by four points at halftime. Encounter Bay played a good third term as they kicked four goals to two and turned for home with an eight-point lead. The Roosters were now under pressure but buoyed on by their home crowd, Strath kicked four goals to two in the final quarter to win 10.7 (67) to 9.10 (64). Jacob Wright kicked four goals in a best on ground performance for the Roosters with Marc Elliott (2) and Lachlan Butler (2) the other multiple goal kickers. Zac Edwards, Mark Tucker, Elliott and Xavier Redden joined Wright in the best players for the Roosters. Tyson Neale kicked three goals and was named best for the Bays. He was well supported by Lachlan Williams, Daniel Toole, Fraser Tonkin and Ben Davis.

McLaren travelled to Myponga to take on the Mudlarks and came away with a 35-point victory. McLaren got off to a fast start to lead 4.5 (29) to 0.0 (0) at quarter time. The game was pretty even after that with each team kicking four goals in the last three quarters with McLaren winning 8.14 (62) to 4.3 (27). Jordan Mutton kicked three goals for the visitors while Sam Kennedy also kicked three majors for Myponga/Sellicks. Brett Ellis, Sam Lawrie, Thomas Harms, Matthew Hill and Thomas Fenoughty were named in the best players for McLaren. For Myponga/Sellicks, Harrison Cock, Daniel Trevena and Luke Whitford were among the best players.

Mount Compass showed they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2021 following a comprehensive 87-point win at home against Goolwa/Port Elliot. After a tight opening half which saw Mount Compass lead by 17 points, the Bulldogs completely took over in the second half as they kicked 15.6 to 4.2 to win 22.11 (143) to 8.8 (56). Mount Compass had 10 different goal kickers including the returning Tom Pinyon who slotted seven majors. Nick Mott (5) and Ziggy Vitkunas (3) were the other multiple goal kickers for the Bulldogs. Zac Bates kicked three goals for the Magpies. Former Port Noarlunga player Matthew Skrypek was named best for Mount Compass and he was joined in the best players by Mott, Peter Hoban, new recruit Lewis Johnston and Pinyon. Daniel Fry, Brayden Miller and Sam Ezard were among the Magpies best.

Three-time reigning premier Langhorne Creek got their premiership defence off to a perfect start with a 54-point win at home against Yankalilla. The game was tight up until halftime with Yankalilla taking it right up to the reigning premier to only trail by three points at the main break. The Hawks came out firing after halftime to extend their lead to 20 points at three quarter time. The margin could have been greater but for the home sides inaccurate kicking of 3.7 for the term. It was all Langhorne Creek in the final term as they poured on six goals to one to win 16.17 (113) to 9.5 (59). The Hawks shared the goals around with 10 different goal kickers including James Sellar (3), Caleb Howell (3), Jarrod Kellock (2) and Jackson Dalitz (2). Adam Braendler and Lindsay Thomas each kicked two goals for the Tigers. David Warren, Howell, Matt Dominish, Sellar and Kellock were best for the Hawks while for the Tigers, Brad Thompson, Finn Betterman and Braendler were Yankalilla’s best.

Willunga started their 2021 season with a bang as they comprehensively defeated Victor Harbor to the tune of 167 points at Victor. The Demons led by 35 points at quarter time, 68 points at halftime, 127 points at the final change before winning 26.21 (177) to 1.4 (10). Sean Beath had a day out as he kicked 11 majors to be named best on ground. Scott Hunt (4), Myles Warmington (3), Cam Hutchens (2) and Tyson Hoffmann (2) were the Demons other multiple goal kickers. Marcus Burdett, Sam Renney, Hunt, Brian Fenton and Darcy Scott were also named in the best for Willunga while Ben Basham, Mitchell Brook, Zac Dowling and Dylan Kleinig were Victor’s best. 

Ladder after Round 1 

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

Round 2 Fixtures (Home team named first)

Encounter Bay v Mount Compass

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Langhorne Creek

McLaren v Victor Harbor

Willunga v Strathalbyn

Yankalilla v Myponga/Sellicks