Willunga moved a step closer to securing the double chance following their grinding 13-point win against McLaren during round 12 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday. The win keeps the Demons in third spot on the GSFL ladder, three points clear of the Eagles. The game was tight all day with Willunga leading by nine points at quarter time, five points at halftime and 13 points at the last change. Neither side kicked a goal in a tough last term as Willunga saluted 9.16 (70) to 8.9 (57). Bigman Daniel Bass kicked three goals for Willunga while James Grimley slotted four majors for McLaren. Sam Renney, Bass, Tyson Hoffmann, Marcus Burdett and Cam Hutchens were named as best players for Willunga. Todd McKay, Grimley, Sam Lawrie, Kaine Hopkins and Brett Ellis were best for McLaren. 

Mount Compass maintained top spot on the ladder with a 37-point win against Myponga/Sellicks at Myponga. A tight first half saw Mount Compass lead by just eight points at the long break and the Mudlarks were sensing a second straight victory. ‘Compass’ put an end to these hopes with a seven goal to two second half as they won 10.9 (69) to 4.8 (32). Tom Pinyon (3), Nick Mott (2) and Corey Grove (2) were the multiple goal kickers for the Bulldogs. Mott continued his excellent second season at the kennel with a best on ground performance and he was well supported by ruckman Peter Hoban, Matthew Skrypek, Sam Haniford and Ziggy Vitkunas. The ever-consistent Sam Kennedy was best for the Mudlarks along with Scott Ogilvie, Jake Spinks, Ryan Kelly and Kain Spinks.

Encounter Bay won their sixth game of the 2021 season and in the process moved within a win of the top five. The Bays travelled the short distance up the road to Victor Harbor and came away with a convincing 60-point win. The Bays led by just five points at halftime and an upset was on the cards. This prospect didn’t last long however as the visitors kicked away with 9.4 to 0.3 in the second half to win 12.13 (85) to 3.7 (25). Nick Marshall and Tyson Neale each kicked three goals for Encounter Bay while Jaymes Hewett kicked two goals for the ‘Roos. Encounter Bay’s best were Ben Davis, Hugo Marshall Smit, Neale, Callum Tonkin and James Bradford. Ruckman Seb Guilhaus was best for Victor Harbor along with Zac Dowling, Brok Schubert, Oliver Dowling and Hewett.

Reigning premier Langhorne Creek kept the pressure on Mount Compass for top spot with a convincing 61-point win over local rival Strathalbyn at Langhorne Creek. The first half was a tight affair with the Hawks taking a six-point lead into halftime. After the long break it was all Langhorne Creek as they kicked 11.10 to 3.3 to win 16.17 (113) to 8.4 (52). Mitchell Cleggett and Jarrod Kellock each kicked five goals for the ‘Creeks’ while Caleb Howell kicked two majors. Marc Elliott (3) and Ryan Clarke (2) were the multiple goal kickers for the Roosters. Kellock, Tom Derham, Curtis Perrey, Cleggett and Matt Dominish were best for Langhorne Creek. For Strathalbyn, Mark Tucker, Zac Edwards, Tom Redden, Xavier Redden and Marc Elliott were named their best players.

Goolwa/Port Elliot won their third game of 2021 with a 31-point win at Goolwa against Yankalilla. The Magpies led by 20 points at quarter time and had extended their margin out to 32 points by halftime. The second half was even with Goolwa/Port Elliot winning 13.9 (87) to 7.14 (56). Zac Bates kicked five goals for the Magpies in a best on ground performance. Other good players for the winners were Sam Priest, Dene McKinlay, Brad Prior and Jesse Bates. Joseph Tyllis kicked two goals for Yankalilla while their best players included Brad Thompson, Jesse Fitzgerald and Jack Fitzgerald.

The competition takes a break this weekend for the SA Country Football Championships to be held at Victor Harbor and Encounter Bay this Saturday (10/7) and Sunday (11/7).

Ladder after Round 12

Mount Compass 22, Langhorne Creek 21, Willunga 19, McLaren 16, Strathalbyn 14, Encounter Bay 12, Goolwa/Port Elliot 6, Yankalilla 6, Myponga/Sellicks 2, Victor Harbor 2.

Round 13 Fixtures (July 17 - home team named first)

Encounter Bay v Goolwa/Port Elliot 

McLaren v Langhorne Creek

Mount Compass v Victor Harbor

Strathalbyn v Myponga/Sellicks

Yankalilla v Willunga