Southport are through to the 2024 VFL Grand Final after defeating Footscray by ten points at the Misson Whitten Oval on Saturday Afternoon.
In the most bizarre conditions, which included hail in the third quarter, the Sharks did enough to defeat a quality Bulldog outfit 9.7 (61) to 7.9 (51).
With a strong breeze favoring one end of the ground, it became a game of who could capitalize on the scoreboard when they had the wind, and who could defend better when they didn’t have it.
Southport started with the breeze in the opening quarter. The Sharks had a lot of Inside 50s early, but they couldn’t convert their opportunities into majors.
After 22 minutes and five behinds, Southport finally kicked a goal thanks to a Campbell Lake soccer kick, which ended up being the only major of the first quarter.
Trailing by ten points at the first change, it was the Bulldogs turn to kick with the breeze in the second term.
The Dogs started the quarter well with a goal in the first two minutes. Remarkably though, Keegan Gray slotted a clutch set shot for the Sharks against the breeze a couple of minutes later.
Footscray reduced the margin back to two points halfway through the quarter before the Sharks kicked another goal against the breeze just before half time.
Whilst it was hailing early in the third quarter, Jay Lockhart kicked a snap goal to extend the Sharks lead to 12 points.
A couple of minutes later just as the hail stopped, the Bulldogs scored their first goal into the breeze before the Sharks broke the game open with four goals in a row to lead by 29 points at three quarter time.
Footscray who had the aid of the breeze in the final term, kicked three goals in four minutes midway through the quarter to trail by ten points, which made for a very tense finish.
The Sharks stood firm though and did not let the Dogs kick another goal for the match to secure their spot in this year’s VFL Grand Final against Werribee.
After the game, Southport Coach Steve Daniel said, “I’m so proud of the group. They have been fantastic all year and today was no different.”
“The conditions were so tough, but the boys hung in there and now we find ourselves in the Grand Final which is very exciting.”
“We can’t wait for next week. Werribee finished on top of the ladder for a reason, they are an excellent side but we look forward to the challenge.”
The VFL Grand Final will be played at Ikon Park at 3:10pm on Sunday 22 September. Click here for more information.
Footscray v Southport – Saturday 15 September, Misson Whitten Oval, 2pm
FOOTSCRAY 0.1 3.5 4.6 7.9 (51)
SOUTHPORT 1.5 4.5 9.5 9.7 (61)
GOALS: Hugh Dixon 2, Jay Lockhart 2, Wylie Buzza, Keegan Gray, Campbell Lake, Jack Sexton, Boyd Woodcock
BEST PLAYERS: Brayden Crossley, Jacob Dawson, Jesse Joyce, Boyd Woodcock, Mike Manteit, Jay Lockhart
Click here for VFL Preliminary Final – Footscray v Southport Match Highlights, Mini Match, Replay and Stats
Click here for 2024 VFL Ladder.
Click here for 2024 VFL Fixture and Results.
Photo Credit: Jaguar Media
