Southport defeated North Melbourne by 17 points at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday Afternoon.
The 14.6 (100) to 12.11 (83) win means that the Sharks have finished the home and away season fifth on the ladder.
Southport led by eight points at quarter time despite having fewer scoring shots than North Melbourne who had the breeze in the opening term.
The Kangaroos were more accurate in the second quarter, but Southport still led by eight points at half time.
In the third quarter, Southport led by as much as 21 points before North Melbourne cut the lead back to 15 points at three quarter time.
The Kangaroos kicked the first two goals of the final term before the Sharks steadied with three goals in a row to lead by a game high 29 points.
North Melbourne then kicked the last two goals of the match to keep the final margin under three goals.
Jacob Dawson (32 disposals, six tackles and four clearances) and Boyd Woodcock (30 disposals, eight clearances and a goal) continued their good form in the midfield for the Sharks whilst Keegan Gray and Zac Foot led the way in front of goals with three goals each.
After the match, Southport Coach Steve Daniel said, “We needed to win today to secure top six and avoid playing Wildcard Round, so the fact we were able to do that is pleasing.”
“Our attention is now on preparing as well as we can for our first final, which is exciting.”
Southport’s next game will be an Elimination Final at Fankhauser Reserve on the weekend of 31 August/ 1 September against the lowest-ranked Wildcard Round winner.
Southport v North Melbourne – Saturday 17 August, Fankhauser Reserve, 12:05pm
SOUTHPORT 4.1 7.4 11.8 14.16 (100)
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.5 5.8 8.11 12.11 (83)
GOALS: Keegan Gray 3, Zac Foot 3, Hugh Dixon 2, Jay Lockhart 2, Brock Aston, Jackson Edwrads, Will Sexton
BEST PLAYERS: Jacob Dawson, Boyd Woodcock, Keegan Gray, Ben Jepson, Hugh Dixon, Jackson Edwards
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