The Southport Sharks have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, winning by a point against Essendon on Saturday at the NEC Hangar.
The first three quarters were even, with the Sharks leading by three points at three quarter time.
However, they were on the brink of losing after the Bombers kicked the first three goals of the last quarter to lead by 14 points at the 22-minute mark.
26 minutes into the last quarter, Southport forward Hugh Dixon kicked a set-shot goal to reduce the margin to seven points.
Two minutes later, the Sharks kicked a behind to make the margin just six points.
With the ball locked inside their forward 50, the Sharks did everything they could to score a goal.
Then, at the 29-minute mark, Jackson Edwards took a strong mark 30-metres out from goal on a slight angle. He took his time and went back and slotted the goal to make scores level.
Southport won the clearance, and were able to lock it inside their forward 50 again.
After a couple of scrappy passages of play the ball went out for a boundary thrown in 15 metres from Southport’s goal.
Essendon won the hitout, but the ball landed in front of Keegan Gray, who booted it off the ground into the post to score the match winning point.
The Bombers kicked the ball into the centre of the ground from the kick out, but the siren went before they could go any further with Southport winning 7.17 (59) to 8.10 (58).
It is the fourth time these clubs have played against each other and remarkably all games have been won by less than 10 points.
After the match, Southport Coach said, “It’s always a great contest going up against Essendon, and we are fortunate it fell our way this time.”
“Coming into the game having lost our last two matches, against Werribee and Williamstown, we really just wanted to come down to Melbourne and get the four points, which we were able to do.”
“Hopefully, winning on the road like that gives us some belief and confidence going into a block of three games on the Gold Coast.”
Boyd Woodcock continued his great form in the midfield with 32 disposals, eight marks and a goal.
Matt Shannon was also important in the midfield for the Sharks. His goal from 60 metres out in the first seconds of the game was undoubtedly a highlight.
Fellow midfielder Jacob Heron was also influential, especially in the last quarter.
Hugh Dixon led the way up forward with two goals, whilst Matt McGuinness and Ben Jepson were solid down back.
This week, Southport play Brisbane at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday at 1:05pm.
ESSENDON 2.3 4.8 5.8 8.10 (58)
SOUTHPORT 2.4 3.4 5.11 7.17 (59)
GOALS: Hugh Dixon 2, Brayden Crossley, Jackson Edwards, Aiden Hall, Matt Shannon, Boyd Woodcock
BEST PLAYERS: Boyd Woodcock, Matt Shannon, Hugh Dixon, Jacob Heron, Matt McGuinness, Ben Jepson
Photo Credit: Essendon Football Club
