JASPAR WILSON-KEIR | MAY 25, 2026
SOUTHPORT withstood a spirited challenge from Port Melbourne to secure a hard-fought 16.14 (110) to 11.12 (78) victory at Fankhauser Reserve.
Sharks players celebrate a goal.
Returning home for Round 9, the Sharks exploded into action from the opening bounce, taking full advantage of a strong breeze in the first quarter.
Boyd Woodcock and Josh Gore both struck within the opening three minutes to immediately put Port Melbourne on the back foot, while Southport’s pressure and ball movement allowed the home side to dictate territory throughout the term.
An early highlight came through Elijah Reardon, whose soaring intercept mark on the wing lifted the crowd as the Sharks continued to surge forward.
Southport piled on six first-quarter goals and restricted the Borough to just a single major, carrying a commanding 34-point lead into quarter time.
Momentum shifted dramatically in the second term as Port Melbourne responded strongly. With the breeze at their backs, the visitors controlled possession and generated repeat inside 50 entries, booting six goals to one for the quarter.
Despite the Sharks’ fast start, the Borough stormed back into the contest and trimmed the margin to just two points by the main break.
Knowing the third quarter would prove pivotal, Southport regained control immediately after halftime.
The Sharks tightened around stoppage and capitalised on field position, slamming through five unanswered goals to re-establish authority on the contest.
Although Port Melbourne continued to press late in the game with the breeze favouring scoring, the Sharks held firm in the final term to close out a 32-point victory.
Jacob Dawson (28 disposals, 12 clearances, two goals) was immense through the middle, while Brayden Crossley delivered another commanding ruck performance with 55 hitouts, 21 disposals and five clearances.
Hewago Oea provided energy across the ground with 19 disposals, two goals and eight tackles, Zac Foot (20 disposals, one goal) continued his strong form around the contest, and Christian Webster stood tall in defence with seven marks.
The Sharks will observe a bye this weekend, before facing Frankston at Kinetic Stadium at 12:05am 6 June.
SOUTHPORT 6.4 7.6 12.10 16.14 (110)
PORT MELBOURNE 1.0 7.4 7.6 11.12 (78)
GOALS: Woodcock 4, J.Dawson 2, Oea 2, Pescud 2, Day, Foot, Gore, Lake, Mills, Rawson
BEST PLAYERS: J.Dawson, Crossley, Oea, Foot, Webster, Reardon
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