Yankalilla won their first game of season 2022 with a tight six-point victory against Goolwa/Port Elliot at Goolwa during round six action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) yesterday. Both sides were searching for their first victories of 2022 and it was Yankalilla who got off to the best start to lead by 16 points at quarter time. Goolwa/Port Elliot closed the margin to just five points at halftime before taking a slender two-point lead into the last quarter. Yankalilla managed to kick the only goal of the last term to eventually win 8.18 (66) to 9.6 (60). Denver Ker (3), Angus Weir (3) and Ethan Moore (2) kicked all of the Tigers’ goals, while Tom Fergusson, Dene McKinlay and Jordan Wilson-King each kicked two goals for the Magpies. Best for Yankalilla were Luke Arandt, Jack Fitzgerald, Weir, Moore and Dylan Collis. For Goolwa/Port Elliot, Daniel Fry, Kosta Dekoning, Wilson-King, Dale Cuthbert and Jesse Bates were named their best.

Victor Harbor consolidated their spot in the top-five with a convincing 61-point win against Mount Compass. The ‘Roos won every quarter on their way to a 17.10 (112) to 7.9 (51) victory. Jackson Elmes kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance for ‘Victor’ and he was well supported by Zac Dowling, Jesse McKinnon, Jack Lang and Mitchell Brook. Adam Hunter was the only multiple goalkicker for Mount Compass with three majors. The Bulldogs’ best players were Tom Vitkunas, Corey Grove, Sam Haniford, Hunter and Bailey Hann.

McLaren remained undefeated after six rounds following their comprehensive 94-point win against Langhorne Creek. The Eagles have been dominant through the first third of the season, with their average winning margin a whopping 109 points per game! McLaren led by just 10 points at quarter time but they completely took over after quarter time, kicking 18 goals to four, to win 22.15 (147) to 7.11 (53). The Eagles had 10 different goalkickers with Matthew Merrett kicking five goals to take his season tally to 24. James Grimley and Lachlan Mathews chimed in with three goals each for McLaren. Best players for McLaren were Sam Lawrie, Todd McKay, Brett Ellis, Henry Mathews and Lachlan Mathews. Josh Towk, Matt Dominish and Troy Blackwell were among the best players for the ‘Creeks’.

Encounter Bay consolidated their spot in the top-three after a tough 13-point win at Strathalbyn. The Bays led by 15 points at quarter time, six points at halftime and 19 points at the last change before winning 12.8 (80) to 10.7 (67). Nick Marshall kicked three goals for the Bays and Cooper Machin also kicked three goals for the Roosters. Cory Gamble, Marcus Lippett, Tyler Baldock, Andrew Fyfe and Callum Tonkin were best for the Bays while for ‘Strath’, Adam Clark, Xavier Redden, Cooper Machin, Reid Mahains and Lachlan Butler were their best players.

Willunga moved to second place on the ladder following their gritty 12-point win over the much-improved Myponga/Sellicks. Willunga trailed by four points at quarter time before a four goals to one second term saw the reigning premier lead by a handy 15 points at halftime. It was a tough slog in the second half with Willunga kicking an inaccurate 2.11 to the Mudlarks’ 4.2 before Willunga eventually triumphed 8.18 (66) to 8.4 (52). Jake Standfield kicked two goals for Willunga, while Hassan Ahmat-Watkins slotted three majors for Myponga/Sellicks. Harrison Mills, Myles Warmington, Danny Juckers, Brad Haskett (in his 250th ‘A’ grade game) and Billy Cook were named best for the Demons. For Myponga/Sellicks, Nathan Hedger, Bradley Clarke, Scott Ogilvie, Anthony Kempster and Daniel Trevena were their best players. 

Ladder after Round 6

McLaren 12, Willunga 10, Encounter Bay 10, Victor Harbor 8, Myponga/Sellicks 8, Mount Compass 4, Strathalbyn 4, Langhorne Creek 2, Yankalilla 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0.

Round 7 Fixtures (home team named first)

Yankalilla v Langhorne Creek

Myponga/Sellicks v Goolwa/Port Elliot

Encounter Bay v Willunga

McLaren v Victor Harbor

Strathalbyn v Mount Compass