Yankalilla has moved up to fourth spot on the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) ladder after a thrilling two-point win at home against Encounter Bay in round five action. There was no more than a five-point margin at any of the breaks before Yankalilla prevailed 9.11 (65) to 9,9 (63). It was a fitting way for the Tigers to celebrate the 200th game for their captain Matt Wilson. Playing-coach Lindsay Thomas kicked three goals for Yankalilla while Elijah Horrocks also kicked three goals for Encounter Bay. Joel Kay, Chris Clark, Nick Liddle, Xavier Gotch and Ethan Moore were best for Yankalilla. Braedon Renshaw, Horrocks, Fraser Tonkin, Callum Tonkin and Cory Gamble were named best for the Bays.

Mount Compass won their third game in a row to move to third spot on the ladder following a convincing 21.8 (134) to 7.7 (49) win over Goolwa/Port Elliot. The opening term was a tight affair with Compass taking a five-point lead at the first break. From that point on it was all the Bulldogs as they kicked 16 goals to three on their home deck to win by 85 points. Mount Compass had 11 different goalkickers with Noarlunga recruit Nick Mott kicking five. Mott has kicked 11 majors in his first two games for the Bulldogs. Brock Godwin-Knott was the only multiple goalkicker for the Magpies with three majors. Peter Hoban was best on ground for the home side and he was ably supported by Sam Haniford, Adam Hunter, Scott Pittaway and Mott. Ethan Cinc, Godwin-Knott, Trent Griffen, James Fry and Daniel Fry were named best for the Magpies.

Myponga-Sellicks have won their first game for 2020 after a tight 11-pont win at Victor Harbor. The Mudlarks led by 10 points at quarter time, 11 at halftime, 17 at three quarter time before winning 8.7 (55) to 6.8 (44). It’s been a tough season so far for both clubs with Victor yet to taste success. Sam Kennedy kicked two goals in a best on ground performance for Myponga-Sellicks. Tyler Harman and Brodie Williams also kicked two for the Mudlarks. Sam Basham kicked four goals for Victor and now has 13 goals for the season.

Langhorne Creek remained undefeated after a 30-point win in the grand final rematch against Willunga at Langhorne Creek. It was a tight and low scoring affair with Willunga leading by a point at quarter time. WIllunga only managed a solitary goal after quarter time as the reigning premier took a stranglehold on the match. The Hawks led by 17 points at halftime, 19 points at the last change before winning 9.4 (58) to 4.4 (28). Jarrod Kellock and Coby Helyar kicked two goals each for the Hawks while Matthew Dominish was named best player for the second week in a row. Kane Milford, Brett Miegel and Billy Cook were amongst the best players for the Demons.

McLaren are also undefeated after five rounds with a convincing, albeit inaccurate, 71-point victory at home over Strathalbyn. The Eagles dominated from the start, kicking six goals to two in the opening term to take a 28-point lead into quarter time. Strathalbyn held their own in the second quarter, thanks in part to McLaren kicking 2.6, and the margin was still 28 points at the long break. McLaren flexed their muscles in the third term to kick 7.5 to 0.1 and take an unassailable 74-point lead into the final term before winning 17.23 (125) to 8.6 (54). Jordan Mutton (5), Max Wakefield (4) and Brett Ellis (4) were the multiple goalkickers for the Eagles while Ben Simounds and Austin McFarlane each kicked two goals for the Roosters.

Ladder (after Round 5)

Langhorne Creek 10, McLaren 10, Mount Compass 7, Yankalilla 6, Strathalbyn 6, Encounter Bay 5, Willunga 4, Myponga-Sellicks 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 0, Victor Harbor 0.

Round 6 fixtures (home team named first)

Encounter Bay v McLaren

Goolwa/Port Elliot v Victor Harbor

Myponga-Sellicks v Langhorne Creek

Strathalbyn v Mount Compass

Willunga v Yankalilla