The Southport Sharks have defeated Port Melbourne by 63 points on a sunny day in Melbourne on Saturday.
It was a tough, contested football game in the first quarter before the Sharks broke the game open to win 18.11 (119) to 7.14 (56).
Southport led by 1 point at quarter time, as Port Melbourne did a great job winning the ball at the contest and keeping hold of it.
Sharks’ Coach Steve Daniel said after the game, “Port Melbourne were terrific in the opening quarter. We needed to some tweaks at quarter time and focused on improving our defence.”
Southport’s second quarter was much better. They started to move the ball a lot better and kicked six goals to nil for the quarter.
Tom Fields (4 goals), Jay Lockhart (3 goals) Max Pescud (2 goals) were terrific for the Sharks up forward.
Boyd Woodcock’s tackle pressure was immense in the middle and he was the Sharks’ best player.
He finished with 28 disposals, six marks, five tackles and six clearances.
Co-Captain Mike Manteit played his best game for the season. The winger finished with 24 disposals, seven marks, five tackles, and six clearances.
Down back, Callum Searle played well against his old side, Max Spencer didn’t let anything go past him and Rhys Clark continued his excellent form with another quality performance.
The ruck duo of Thurlow (30 hit outs) and Crossley (19 hit outs) were too good for the Borough, winning the hit outs 49 to 12.
This Saturday at 12:05 pm at the Austworld Centre Oval, Carrara, the third placed Southport Sharks take on the sixth placed Brisbane Lions in what should be a great game of football.
VFL Round 9 Port Melbourne v Southport
Port Melbourne 2.2 2.5 4.6 7.14 (56)
Southport 2.3 8.7 11.9 18.11 (119)
Goal Kickers: T. Fields 4, J. Lockhart 3, M. Pescud 2, T. Reeves 2, B. Crossley, B. Gowers, J. Joyce, R. King, C. Searle, M. Selsby, F. Thurlow, B. Woodcock.
Best Players: B. Woodcock, M. Manteit, M. Spencer, C. Searle, R. Clark, T. Fields
To watch the match replay, highlights and stats click here
Click here for fixtures/results/ladder
Photo: Callum Searle. Photo Credit: Emily Fraser – Ison Photopgrahy
