Victor Harbor kept the pressure on for a top-three spot after defeating Strathalbyn by 34 points during round 12 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday. The win was set up by a blistering first term by the ‘Roos where they kicked seven unanswered goals to lead by 41 points at quarter time. Strathalbyn outscored ‘Victor’ for the rest of the match but the damage had been done as the ‘Roos won 18.11 (119) to 13.7 (85). Jackson Elmes, Daniel Stock and Michael Ross all kicked four goals for Victor Harbor, while Jake Stafford and Jacob Wright kicked three goals apiece for the Roosters. Best players for ‘Victor’ included Matthew Wiese, Sam Overall, Elmes, Rhys Mutch and Reece Kleinig. Strathalbyn was best served by Marc Elliott, Adam Clark, Stafford, Cooper Machin and Wright.

After their first loss since 2021 last week, McLaren Districts were back in the winners circle after beating Langhorne Creek by 18 points. The game was tight at halftime with the Eagles leading by just three points. The reigning premier kicked nine goals to seven in the second half to eventually win 12.14 (86) to 10.8 (68). Joel Chahla and Codey Ellison kicked three goals each for the Eagles, while Malakai Kartinyeri also kicked three goals for the Hawks. Tom Fenoughty, Ellison, Todd McKay, Billy Chahla and Joel Vandeleur were named best for McLaren Districts. The Hawks were best served by Tom Derham, Lachlan Bates, Darcy Clifford, Jack Keynes and Matt Dominish. 

Mount Compass won their seventh game of the season after defeating Yankalilla by 25 points at Mount Compass. The Bulldogs led by 13 points at quarter time, 26 points at halftime and 31 points at the last change, before winning 10.13 (73) to 6.12 (48). Tom Pinyon continued his excellent season for ‘Compass’ with four goals (42 for the season), while Jordan Boots kicked two majors. Best players for the Bulldogs were Will Zimmermann, Jayden Weetman, Klaus Simons, Tom Vitkunas and Pinyon. Best players for the Tigers included Angus Weir, James Hargreaves, Sam Crawford, Joel Kay and Liam Gerber.

Willunga consolidated their spot in the top-three after defeating a plucky Encounter Bay by 20 points on Saturday. The final scores were Willunga 15.7 (97) to Encounter Bay 11.11 (77). Danny Juckers kicked six goals in best-on-ground performance for the Demons, while Ben Davis and Tyson Neale kicked three goals each for the Bays. Joining Juckers in the best players for Willunga were Sam Renney, Sam Tregenza, Cam Hutchens and Scott Brown. Davis was named best for the Bays and he was well supported by Callum Tonkin, Tyler Baldock, Neale and Connor Hills.

Myponga-Sellicks won their third game in a row following their comfortable 40-point victory against Goolwa/Port Elliot at Goolwa. The Mudlarks led at every change before running out winners 15.8 (98) to 8.10 (58). Jake Spinks (4), Connor Sampson (2), Sam Kennedy (2) and Harrison Cock (2) were the multiple goalkickers for Myponga-Sellicks. Logan Payne, Bailey Payne and Daniel Fry kicked two goals each for the Magpies. Kain Spinks, Dylan Lang, Bradley Clarke, Connor Sampson and Cooper Gilbert were named best players for the Mudlarks. Best players for the Magpies were Daniel Fry, Jye Bottroff, Brett Heintze, Ryan Carnelly and Fred Nissen.

Ladder after Round 12

McLaren Districts 22, Myponga-Sellicks 18, Willunga 18, Victor Harbor 16, Mount Compass 14, Strathalbyn 10, Langhorne Creek 10, Encounter Bay 6, Goolwa/Port Elliot 4, Yankalilla 2.

Round 13 Fixtures (Saturday 22 July)

Encounter Bay v Goolwa/Port Elliot 

Langhorne Creek v Yankalilla

Strathalbyn v McLaren Districts

Willunga v Mount Compass

Victor Harbor v Myponga-Sellicks