Willunga secured the double chance and are still a in with a shot at the minor premiership following their impressive 22-point home win against Mount Compass during round 16 action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday. The win for Willunga put them just two points from top spot and five points clear of fourth-placed McLaren. Tyson Hoffmann and Jake Standfield each kicked three goals for the Demons while Ziggy Vitkunas also kicked three majors for Mount Compass. Harrison Mills, Braden Altus, Standfield, Cameron McDonald and Sam Renney were named in the best players for Willunga. Matthew Skrypek, Peter Hoban, Tom Corbett, Michael Corbett and Ziggy Vitkunas were best for the Bulldogs.

Encounter Bay kept their finals hopes alive following their convincing 47-point win over Yankalilla. The Bays got off to a flying start to lead by 35 points at quarter time. They extended their lead out to 61 points at the last change before Yankalilla put some credibility back on the scoreboard with a four goal to two final term before Encounter Bay won 13.17 (95) to 7.6 (48). Skipper Tyson Neale kicked five goals for the Bays while Denver Ker and Matthew Wilson kicked two goals each for the Tigers. Ruckman Callum Tonkin was best on ground for the Bays and he was well supported by Neale, Andrew Fyfe, Hamish Tonkin and Cohen Pettitt. Yankalilla were best served by Ben Gogel, Nicholas Bond, Kaleigh Fitzgerald, Wilson and Joseph Tyllis.

Strathalbyn took another big step towards finals action following their comprehensive 122-point win against Victor Harbor. The win keeps the Roosters a game and percentage ahead of sixth-placed Encounter Bay. Strathalbyn put on a powerful display with Riley Clamp, Brodie Martin and Marc Elliott all kicking six goals while Jacob Wright kicked four majors in a best on ground display as the Roosters won 29.12 (186) to 10.4 (64). Zac Dowling, Brok Schubert and James Mulhern all kicked two goals for Victor. Joining Jacob Wright in the best players for Strathalbyn were Marc Elliott, Brodie Martin, Cooper Machin and Riley Clamp. Best for the Kangaroos was Seb Guilhaus, Schubert, Zac Stichel, Cohan Bartlett and James Boyd.

Three-time reigning premier Langhorne Creek stayed top of the ladder with a comfortable 104-point victory against Myponga/Sellicks. The Hawks powerful forward line was on fire as they kicked 24.15 (159) to Myponga/Sellicks 8.7 (55). It was the fifth time in 2021 that Langhorne Creek had scored 150 points or more. Jarrad Kellock (6), Coby Helyar (5), Matt Dominish (4), James Sellar (3) and Lachie McGregor (2) were the multiple goalkickers for the ‘Creeks’. Jake Spinks with three majors was the Mudlarks only multiple goal kicker. Best players for Langhorne Creek were Kellock, Coby Helyar, Ben Arbon, Shannon Jones and Tom Derham. Ben Kennedy, Luke Whitford and Jack Sires were among the best players for the Mudlarks.

McLaren all but confirmed their finals berth with a hard fought 18-point win against Goolwa/Port Elliot at McLaren Vale. The win for the Eagles sees them sit in fourth spot with two rounds to go. James Grimley and Stephen Branson each kicked three goals for McLaren, while Sam Dunn and Zac Bates also kicked three goals each for the Magpies. Sam Bentley was named best for McLaren and he was well supported by Matthew Merrett, Alex Moyle, James Grimley and Joel Vandeleur. Goolwa/Port Elliot were best served by Dunn, Charlie Steele, Brad Prior, Daniel Fry and Ben Cummings.

Ladder after Round 16

Langhorne Creek 25, Mount Compass 24, Willunga 23, McLaren 18, Strathalbyn 18, Encounter Bay 16, Goolwa/Port Elliot 6, Yankalilla 6, Myponga/Sellicks 2, Victor Harbor 2.

Round 17 Fixtures (August 14 - home team named first)

Langhorne Creek v Encounter Bay

Mount Compass v McLaren

Myponga/Sellicks v Willunga

Strathalbyn v Goolwa/Port Elliot

Victor Harbor v Yankalilla