Seniors | Sharks secure minor premiership with dominant final-round win
Southport has capped off its home-and-away season in style, defeating Moreton Bay by 101 points to secure the 2026 QAFLW minor premiership.
The Sharks finished 14.17 (101) to 0.0 (0) winners, taking control after the opening minutes and keeping Moreton Bay scoreless across all four quarters.
Once settled, Southport quickly took charge through its work both in and out of possession. Three goals in the opening term established a 24-point lead, before another three pushed the margin to 46 points at half time.
The Sharks produced their best attacking quarter after the main break, adding five goals to move beyond 70 points ahead of the final change. Another three majors in the last took Southport past the 100-point mark and completed the shutout.
Caitlin Miller starred in attack with five goals, while Tayla Christensen added two as nine Sharks hit the scoreboard. Steph O’Brien was prolific through the midfield with 28 disposals, four tackles and four clearances, while Giselle Davies combined 26 disposals and 24 hitouts with a goal.
Leigh Alder was composed with ball in hand, recording three intercept marks and 100 per cent kicking efficiency, while Kiara Hillier and Melita Watts were also among Southport’s best.
It was also a memorable afternoon for Lucy Ashcroft, who impressed on senior debut with her clean work at ground level and unselfish play. Megan Hunt celebrated her 50th game for the club and was sent forward late, marking the milestone with a final-quarter goal.
The victory secured Southport’s fourth consecutive QAFLW Seniors minor premiership and sends the Sharks into finals with momentum firmly behind them.
Southport will now enjoy a week off before hosting Coorparoo in the first week of finals, with a place in the QAFLW Grand Final on the line. Match details are yet to be confirmed.
MORETON BAY 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (0)
SOUTHPORT 3.6 6.10 11.11 14.17 (101)
GOALS: Miller 5, Christensen 2, Davies, Hillier, Hunt, Ryan, Ryder, Wall, Watts
BEST PLAYERS: Miller, O’Brien, Davies, Watts, Hillier, Alder
Reserves | Sharks complete undefeated home and away season in emphatic fashion
Southport has completed an undefeated QAFLW Reserves home-and-away season, finishing with a 126-point victory over Moreton Bay.
The Sharks recorded a 19.12 (126) to 0.0 (0) win, remarkably bookending their home and away season after opening the year with a 125-point victory over Broadbeach.
Southport took command immediately, kicking six goals in each of the opening two quarters to establish a 76-point advantage by half time. The Sharks moved the ball effectively through handball chains and consistently found teammates in better positions.
Another five goals followed in the third term before Southport added two in the last to complete the victory. At the other end, the Sharks kept Moreton Bay scoreless for the entire afternoon.
Grace Cooper produced a standout performance with seven goals, while Kaylea Kobzan added three. Avalon Pearce, Mia Trinder and Keely Whittaker kicked two each, with Maddie Gault, Jekaya Lam and Tara Nieass also finding the scoreboard.
Cooper led the best players alongside Peyton Mackie, Tenielle Langdale, Pearce, Jesica Pang and Olivia Robinson.
The result capped a home-and-away campaign built around the depth of Southport’s women’s program. The Sharks used 45 players at Reserves level throughout the season, with 18 going on to play Senior football.
Southport now turns its attention to finals, where it will host Bond University next weekend with a team-first approach again at the centre of its game plan.
MORETON BAY 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (0)
SOUTHPORT 6.1 12.4 17.8 19.12 (126)
GOALS: Cooper 7, Kobzan 3, Pearce 2, Trinder 2, Whittaker 2, Gault, Lam, Nieass
BEST PLAYERS: Cooper, Mackie, Langdale, Pearce, Pang, Robinson
