Southport trailed Essendon’s VFL team for the majority of the day on Sunday Afternoon. However, they led when it mattered most. On the final scoreboard.
The Sharks were down by a point, 31 minutes into the last quarter before Mackenzie Willis who was sensational down back all day, took an intercept mark.
He then handballed it which unleashed Manteit to bomb the ball inside 50.
It was a chaos ball with bodies going everywhere before Tom Fields picked up the ball in a flooded forward line and snapped 35 metres out in front of goal.
Bouncing once in the vacant goal square, it went through the big sticks, with a big home crowd cheer to follow, as Southport hit the front by 5 points.
Essendon had one final chance to take back the lead, but it ended in a behind.
Moments later the iconic Fankhauser siren blew full time, with the Sharks winning 11.9 (75) to 10.11 (71).
More importantly, Southport took home the four points which means they are back on top of the ladder, winning their last seven games.
It was a hard-fought four points as the Bombers 10 listed AFL players, and fill-ins from across Australia including Alex Rance – Richmond premiership player and five-time All-Australian, took it up to Sharks.
Andrew Boston led from the front for Southport with 26 disposals, 10 clearances and 2 goals, and Jacob Dawson collected another 35 disposals in a midfield that won the clearances 44 to 30.
Coach Steve Daniel said after the game, “It was not our best game, and there is a lot to improve on. But I’m so proud of the boy’s ability to grind it out and get the four points. That is something that is super important especially with finals not too far away.”
VFL ROUND 15 – SOUTHPORT v ESSENDON AT FANKHAUSER RESERVE
SOUTHPORT 1.3 3.6 6.8 11.9 (75)
ESSENDON 3.2 5.3 7.8 10.11 (71)
GOALS
Southport: Boston 2, Fields 2, Gowers 2, Nutting 2, Hall, Johnson, King
Photo Credit: Highflyer Images
Similar Articles
These articles are similar to the one you are reading.
The Southport Sharks have won back-to-back games in the VFL after defeating Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday Night by 52 points.
Southport Sharks celebrated their 2024 QAFLW Premierships with a flag unfurling at Fankhauser Reserve before recording impressive victories over the University of Queensland.
Southport Sharks are proud to announce that we have entered a new agreement with international sports and lifestyle brand Puma as our official training and off-field apparel provider, through its teamwear licensee TGI SPORTS in partnership with Tribal Sport.
The Southport Sharks travelled up to North Brisbane on Saturday to take on the Aspley Hornets for ANZAC Round.
Southport lost their first game of the year in the QAFLW Seniors after reigning premiers UQ were too good for them on Saturday.
The Southport Sharks would like to thank QAFLW Senior Coach Matthew Lappin for his service to the club, as Matthew has decided not to continue in his coaching role in 2026.
Matthew led the team to the club's second QAFLW Senior Premiership and was named 2025 QAFLW Coach of the Year.
Southp...
Jacob Dawson has won his first J.J Liston Trophy after being awarded the 2025 VFL Best & Fairest at the VFL/VFLW Awards at Marvel Stadium on Monday Night.
The Southport Sharks are pleased to confirm that the women’s captains for 2021 will be Hannah Davies and Elli Jay Beck.
The GWS Giants defeated the Southport Sharks by 49 points at Tom Wills Oval in Sydney on Saturday Afternoon.
Southport suffered a heartbreaking six-point loss to the Swans in Round 13, despite leading by 44 points late in the third quarter. Sydney surged home in wet conditions to snatch victory at Fankhauser Reserve.
The Southport Sharks are pleased to announce the return of Jacob Townsend to the club for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Southport has held on for a 10-point win over Footscray in a hard-fought clash at Fankhauser Reserve.
