Myponga-Sellicks wins Great Southern Football League grand final 68-67 over Victor Harbor

An SA country footy club pulled off one of the upsets of the year over the weekend to win its grand final by a point and snap a 40-year premiership drought. Watch the celebrations.

A local SA footy club pulled off one of the upsets of the season to win its grand final and break a 40-year premiership drought on Saturday.

Great Southern Football League club Myponga-Sellicks came from 27-9 down at quarter time to defeat top spot Victor Harbor 10.8 (68) to 9.13 (67) in the dying minutes to win its first premiership since 1984.

Victor Harbor, led by Bryce Gibbs, Ben Heaslip and league medallist Jesse McKinnon, entered the game as the major favourite but the fourth spot Mudlarks would not be denied as playing-coach Darren Shillabeer and former AFL player Ben Kennedy helped the side to a famous victory.

Young gun Jake Spinks was the hero for the underdogs during the final minutes of a neck-and-neck fourth quarter, slotting home a set shot from inside 50 to put his team up by a point and send fans into a frenzy at the final siren.

The Mudlarks celebrate their drought-breaking GSFL premiership. Picture: Dos Photography

Shillabeer, a star forward who joined as playing-coach this season after a successful tenure with Barossa District and booted his 100th goal of the year in the second quarter, said the win was still sinking in.

“It’s hard to describe the feeling,” Shillabeer said.

“It was definitely one of the best games I’ve ever been part of.

“There were so many people who stepped up and had moments, whether it was Ben Kennedy tackling Heaslip to prevent a score late on or Jake’s mark and goal.

Playing-coach Darren Shillabeer celebrates after the final siren. Picture: Dos Photography

“The celebrations were great and just seeing the smiles or tears on the faces of everyone who has been involved at the club really brought home how much it means.”

The Mudlarks had been around the mark in 2022 and 2023, going down in two consecutive preliminary finals to Willunga and looked set to fall just short again this season after dropping to fourth and losing the double chance for finals despite playing a more attacking brand.

Against the odds, Shillabeer then managed to guide his side to an impressive finals run with wins over Langhorne Creek, Encounter Bay, McLaren and the red-hot Roos.

West End Medallist (best on ground) Ben Kennedy is congratulated by Tony Modra. Picture: Dos Photography

“It’s funny looking back at it because I think finishing fourth is probably one of the best things that happened to us this year because we became really galvanised and produced our best footy,” he said.

“We had 12 wins and one loss in the back half of the year too so we knew our best was good enough and we were confident ahead of the grand final after a couple good results.”

Assistant coach Justin Richardson arrived in his role five years ago and has played an instrumental role in the club’s success.

Myponga Sellicks sings the club song after its famous win. Picture: Dos Photography

He said the premiership was a credit to everyone who contributed through the 40-year drought.

“It’s so hard to put what it means to us into words.

“The win represents the work that so many people have done over 40 years, not just the last few.

“Each of the 21 players contributed on Saturday and seeing them along with all the people who have been here forever and a day in tears and celebrating meant a lot.

“We have also put a heavy focus on juniors and our senior colts have now gone back-to-back as well so I think the club is now set to experience more of those moments into the future.”