The top-five is set with one round to go in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) following round 17 action yesterday. In the match of the day at Mount Compass, the visiting McLaren Eagles came away with an excellent 32-point victory, their second win of the season against the Bulldogs. Mount Compass got off to a great start as they kicked seven first-quarter goals to lead by 31 points at the first break. The game was flipped on its head in the second term as McLaren slammed on nine goals to two to take the lead by 11 points at halftime. The Eagles continued on after the break with a further seven goals in the third term to take a very handy 32-point lead to the final change. Two goals each in the final quarter saw McLaren win 20.6 (126) to 14.10 (94). James Mathews kicked six goals for the Eagles and James Grimley kicked four majors. Peter Hoban (5), Tom Pinyon (3) and Corey Grove (3) led the way for Mount Compass. Best players for McLaren were Daniel Marr, Brett Ellis, Sam Lawrie, James Mathews and Matthew Merrett. Hoban was named best for the Bulldogs and he was well supported by Matthew Skrypek, Joss Davis, Tomas Vitkunas and James Scudds.

Reigning premier Langhorne Creek maintained top spot with a round to go with their 13th win of the season, a 43-point triumph against Encounter Bay. The Hawks led by 11 points at quarter time, 24 points at halftime and 19 points at the last change before kicking four goals to zero in the last quarter to win 16.12 (108) to 9.11 (65). Langhorne Creek had nine different goalkickers with James Sellar and Mitch Cleggett kicking three goals each. Gary Karpany was a standout for the Bays with six of their nine goals. Tom Derham, Matt Dominish, Ben Arbon, Jarrod Kellock and Coby Helyar were named best for the Creeks, while for Encounter Bay, Callum Tonkin, Karpany, Elijah Horrocks, Cohen Pettitt and Jayden Christophers were their best.

Willunga kept the pressure on Langhorne Creek for top spot with a 78-point win at Myponga/Sellicks yesterday. It sets up a blockbuster final round game between the Demons and the Hawks next Saturday for the minor premiership. Willunga won every quarter as they kicked 17.14 (116) to 6.2 (38). The Demons shared the goals around with 10 different goalkickers including Braden Altus (4), Scott Hunt (3) and Jake Standfield (3). Jayden Scott and Cameron Vinall each kicked two goals for the Mudlarks. Altus continued his good recent form to be named best on ground for Willunga and he was joined in the best by Brett Miegel, Craig Nelson, Sam Renney and Job Colwell. Nathan Hedger, Scott Ogilvie and Ryan Kelly were among the best for Myponga/Sellicks. 

Strathalbyn won their third game in a row and confirmed their spot in the finals following their comprehensive 85-point win against Goolwa/Port Elliot. The Roosters win was set up by a rampant first quarter as they kicked nine goals to three to lead by 38 points at the first break. A further 11 goals to three from then on saw ‘Strath’ win 20.13 (133) to 6.12 (48). Riley Clamp kicked seven goals for the Roosters in a best on ground performance while Marc Elliott kicked three majors. Other good players for Strathalbyn included Tom Redden, Xavier Redden, Marc Elliott and Mark Tucker. Goolwa/Port Elliot were best served by Ben Cummings, Brad Prior and Rory Hausser. 

Victor Harbor won just their second game for the season and in the process handed Yankalilla their seventh straight defeat as the Kangaroos won 14.5 (89) to 9.5 (59). The win was set up by a six goal to one opening term with the rest of the match being very even. Brok Schubert had a day out with seven goals for Victor, while Finn Betterman, Denver Ker and Joseph Tyllis each kicked two goals for the Tigers. Ruckman Seb Guilhaus, Schubert, James Boyd, Rhys Mutch and Rhys Bartram were named best players for the Kangaroos. Best for Yankalilla included Billy Hogben, Chris Clark, Matthew Wilson, Jack Fitzgerwald and Betterman.

Ladder after Round 17

Langhorne Creek 27, Willunga 25, Mount Compass 24, McLaren 20, Strathalbyn 20, Encounter Bay 16, Goolwa/Port Elliot 6, Yankalilla 6, Victor Harbor 4, Myponga/Sellicks 2.

Round 18 Fixtures (August 21 - home team named first)

Encounter Bay v Myponga/Sellicks

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Victor Harbor

McLaren v Strathalbyn

Willunga v Langhorne Creek

Yankalilla v Mount Compass