JASPAR WILSON-KEIR | JUNE 17, 2026
This Saturday, the Southport Sharks will celebrate their fifth annual Heritage Round, when they take on the Cats in the VFL at 12:05pm at Fankhauser Reserve.
This year, the Sharks will celebrate three significant premiership anniversaries, honouring the teams of 1966, 1976 and 2006.
As part of the celebrations, Southport will wear a special heritage guernsey that pays tribute to the club’s 65-year history as both the Magpies and the Sharks.
The guernsey features three black stripes, each containing the names of every player from the 1966, 1976 and 2006 premiership teams.
Pictured in the jumper are two members of Southport’s 2006 premiership side, Haydn Kiel and Adam Devine, who returned to the club ahead of this weekend’s celebrations.
“It’s always nice to come back here. Driving through those gates always brings back a lot of good memories,” Devine said.
“It’s great to meet some of the new guys and see that the culture is still alive and kicking. Nothing is as special as winning a senior premiership, particularly the 2006 flag.
Kiel echoed those sentiments, reflecting on both the club’s history and his own journey through the ranks.
“It always feels good to walk back through the clubrooms. It brings back some awesome memories,” Kiel said.
“Going back-to-back in 2005 and 2006 are memories that will stay with me forever.
“I was only 17 and 18 when we won those flags. At the time you probably don’t fully appreciate it, but you come back 20 years later and realise just how special it was to be involved in.
“I was a Sharks junior and played my senior football here. There’s something about pulling on the Black V that’s really special. It’s a super special club.”
Club 61, Southport’s Past Players and Officials Association, will host an exclusive function area for past players and officials to enjoy the match together on Saturday.
Following the game, Southport’s best-on-ground player will be awarded the Ken Rodger Medal, named in honour of Southport’s 1965 Best and Fairest winner and dual premiership player from 1964 and 1966. Rodger will present the medal on the day.
The 1966 premiership remains one of the greatest seasons in club history, with Southport completing an undefeated campaign. The year also featured significant individual success, highlighted by 17-year-old Terry Doyle becoming the first GCAFL player to kick 100 goals in a season.
A decade later, the Magpies again dominated the competition in 1976, claiming back-to-back senior premierships while losing just one match for the year. It also marked the first time in club history that the seniors, reserves and colts (under-18s) completed a clean sweep of premierships.
Fast forward to 2006 and, in what was described as a rollercoaster season, coach Craig Crowley guided Southport from early-season adversity to premiership glory. After suffering several heavy defeats during the year, the Sharks regrouped and ultimately claimed the flag with a memorable Grand Final victory over Zillmere.
Get down to Fankhauser Reserve this Saturday at 12:05pm to cheer on the Sharks, as they take on the first-placed Geelong Cats in VFL Round 13 for Heritage Round.
For more information about the 1966 premiership year, click here.
For more information about the 1976 premiership year, click here.
For more information about the 2006 premiership year, click here.
