Victor Harbor got their season off to the perfect start with an upset 12-point win against Langhorne Creek at Victor Harbor during round one action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) yesterday. The win was set up by a rampaging first quarter from ‘Victor’, as they kicked seven goals to zero to lead by 43 points at the first change. Langhorne Creek outscored the home side in the last three quarters but the damage had been done as the ‘Roos won 12.8 (80) to 10.8 (68). Sam Basham and Jackson Elmes kicked four goals each for Victor Harbor, while Mitch Cleggett and Jake Dominish kicked three goals each for the Hawks. Jesse McKinnon, Elmes, Zac Dowling, Ben Yeomans and Heath Treloar were the best players for Victor Harbor, while best for the Hawks were Darcy Clifford, Matt Dominish and Curtis Perrey. 

Reigning premier Willunga got their premiership defence off to a good start with a tight 10-point win over Mount Compass. The Demons got off to a fast start to lead by 26 points at the first change and held the home side at bay to eventually win 14.13 (97) to 13.9 (87). James Lawton and Liam Nye each kicked three goals for the Demons. Jordan Boots (4), Ziggy Vitkunas (4) and Tom Pinyon (3) were the leading goal kickers for the Bulldogs. Best for Willunga were Cam Hutchens, Nye, Brett Miegel, Daniel Bass and Lawton. Adam Hunter, Pinyon, Boots, Tom Dix and Shane Heatley were named best for ‘Compass’.

Strathalbyn had a big 106-point win at home against Goolwa/Port Elliot with Ben Simounds the standout for the Roosters. Simounds kicked 10 goals in a best-on-ground performance. The Roosters dominated all day to win 21.16 (142) to 5.5 (35). Joining Simounds in the best players for Strathalbyn were Riley Clamp, Adam Clark, Jacob Wright and Tom Redden. Jordan Wilson-King, Kosta Dekoning, Luke Wilson, Myles Krakouer and Logan Payne were best for the Magpies with Wilson kicking three goals. 

Encounter Bay started 2022 with a bang as they comfortably accounted for Yankalilla to the tune of 77 points at ‘Yank’ yesterday. The Bays led by 39 points at halftime and kicked a further 10 goals to four in the second half to win 19.19 (133) to 8.8 (56). Jake Tarca kicked eight goals for Encounter Bay in a best-on-ground performance and he was well supported by Cohen Pettitt, Ben Davis, James Brown and Nick Marshall. Best for the Tigers were Jack Fitzgerald, Angus Weir and Will Hogben. 

McLaren Eagles made the trip down to Myponga and came away with a comfortable 39-point win over the Mudlarks. The game was still in the balance at the last change as the Eagles led by 18 points, but four goals to one in the last quarter saw McLaren win 12.7 (79) to 6.4 (40). Jordan Mutton (3), Jackson Daniels (2) and James Grimley (2) were the multiple goal kickers for McLaren. Hassan Ahmat-Wilkins kicked two goals for Myponga/Sellicks. Best for McLaren were Lachlan Matthews, Tyson Brown, Matthew Merrett, Daniels and Mutton while for Myponga/Sellicks, Sam Kennedy, Elliot Chalmers, Anthony Kempster, Ryan Kelly and Ben Kennedy were their best. 

Ladder after Round 1

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

Round 2 Fixtures

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Victor Harbor

Willunga v Strathalbyn

Encounter Bay v Langhorne Creek

Yankalilla v McLaren

Mount Compass v Myponga/Sellicks