The Southport Sharks have lost to last year’s Grand Finalists the Werribee Tigers by three points in a thrilling Easter Saturday contest at Fankhauser Reserve.
Both teams were looking to get to the competition bye undefeated, but it was Werribee who walked away with the Easter chocolates winning 8.11 (62) to 8.11 (59).
Werribee, who had the breeze in the first quarter, got off to a fast start kicking the first three goals of the game.
Wylie Buzza, who is a former Werribee player, then snapped the Sharks first goal of the game.
The Tigers followed up with two set shot goals from the same spot outside 50 to lead by 24 points at quarter time.
It didn’t take the Sharks long to chase down the Tigers lead in the second quarter with the breeze.
Southport kicked five goals to zero in the second quarter to lead by 8 points at half time.
Although Werribee had the breeze in the third quarter the Sharks looked determined to remain in front at three quarter time.
The Sharks started the second half well, with Wylie Buzza kicking a set shot goal a minute into the third.
Werribee kicked a goal midway through the term and another one just before three quarter time, but the Sharks still led by 4 points at the last change.
The Tigers cut the lead to just one point, kicking three behinds to start the quarter, before Werribee forward Hudson Garoni kicked his second goal of the match to put the visitors back in the lead.
Ten minutes later Wylie Buzza slotted a set shot from 45 metres out on a slight angle for his third goal of the match and to put the Sharks back in front.
Four minutes later though, Angus Hicks kicked his first goal of the match to put the Tigers back in front and ultimately win the game.
After the game, Southport Coach Steve Daniel said, “To lose by such a small margin at home hurts. We did a lot right to win that game, but credit to Werribee they are a quality side, and they were too good for us on the day.”
“We now have two weeks before our next game, so we will use the time to review well and get ready for two weeks in a row on the road.”
Amongst the Sharks best was Boyd Woodcock in the midfield and Jesse Joyce on the half back line.
This week, it is a competition bye for the VFL v SANFL representative game that will be played at Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg on April 6 at 12:10pm (AEST).
The game will be broadcast live in Victoria and South Australia by the Seven Network on 7mate and streamed live on 7plus nationally.
Southport’s next game is against Williamstown at DSV Stadium in Melbourne on Saturday the 13th of April at 12:05pm (AEST).
Southport v Werribee – Saturday 30 March, Fankhauser Reserve, 12:05pm
SOUTHPORT 1.2 6.5 7.8 8.11 (59)
WERRIBEE 5.2 5.3 7.4 9.8 (62)
GOALS: Wylie Buzza 3, Boyd Woodcock, Aiden Hall, Zac Foot, Hugh Dixon, Ryan Banks-Smith
BEST PLAYERS: Boyd Woodcock, Jesse Joyce, Wylie Buzza
