Sharks almost go through unbeaten again
THE 1992 campaign started under new leadership, with star forward Cameron O’Brien being appointed as captain-coach after Gavan McGuane stepped down from the role at the end of 1991.
It was a first for Southport at State league level to run with a player-coach, but again they selected the main man from ‘in house’, rather than appoint someone from outside the club (that was to change a couple of years down the track).
O’Brien inherited a playing roster that had been savaged by retirements and departures.
Leading the losses list was Zane Taylor, whose magnificent career with the Magpies/Sharks ended after the 1991 grand final defeat.
Peter Riewoldt, Joe Amad and Jon Henry all returned to their home States.
But, as usual, the Sharks attracted some top-quality recruits, headed by versatile defender Mark Billings and former Brisbane Bears listed rover Chris O’Sullivan.
The acid was also put on ruckman Paul Siede to respond in the absence of champion ruckman Peter Guy (who retired after 1991).
Despite all the changes, the Sharks almost made it through the season unbeaten. They won 18 of 18 home-and-away fixtures, but came to grief when Morningside beat them by 48 points in the second semi-final.
It was a performance completely out of character with the rest of the year and they had only three goalkickers in their score of 8.14 that day. Warwick Capper kicked six of them.
The upset served as a huge wake-up call and the Sharks responded. They subsequently tossed North Brisbane by 31 points in the preliminary final, then exacted revenge on Morningside, beating them by 14 points in the grand final.
Siede certainly answered the call and turned in a magnificent performance against the Panthers, subsequently being named Joe Grant Medal winner.
And the stylish O’Sullivan capped a great season by tying the Grogan Medal count with the late David Crutchfield.
The successful 1992 grand final side was:
Backs: Mark Billings, David Crutchfield, John Millane.
Half-backs: Mark Benson, Michael Walsh, Shaun Stephens.
Centres: Royce Enders, Mark Smith, Andrew Lowe.
Half-forwards: Craig Crowley, Craig Headland, Cameron O’Brien.
Forwards: Rob Jones, Warwick Capper, Craig Rippon.
Rucks: Paul Siede, Chris O’Sullivan, Jason Cotter.
Interchange: Joel Howes, Craig Mansbridge.
Full details of the match were:
SOUTHPORT 1.2 9.6 12.6 14.19 (94)
MORNINGSIDE 4.2 7.3 9.5 12.8 (80)
GOALS: Southport: C O’Brien 3, J Cotter 2, C Rippon 2, R Jones 2, C Headland 2, W Capper 2, A Lowe. Morningside: B Paterson 3, R Chapman 2, M Howe 2, C Edwards 2, D Vickery 2, G Conway.
BEST: Southport: P Siede, J Cotter, D Crutchfield, R Jones, J Howes, C O’Sullivan. Morningside: D Burke, D Alderton, B Paterson, B Fagg, T Elliott, N Jeffrey.
There was also a significant development off-field.
The Queensland Government voted to introduce poker machines – and Southport swooped. What happened after that decision was to turn what was a crumbling social operation into a giant.
When 1993 came around with the one-arm bandits available, the Sharks were ready.
Season details: Played 21, won 20, lost 1.
Best and fairest: David Crutchfield.
Grogan Medal: David Crutchfield, Chris O’Sullivan tied with Rick Chapman (Morningside).
Joe Grant Medal: Paul Siede.
Leading goalkicker: Warwick Capper (80).
State Championship: d South Queensland 24.23 (167) to 8.3 (51) at Gold Coast Stadium (lights).
MATCH RESULTS 1992
Round 1 (Mar 13):
SOUTHPORT 2.1 10.3 11.6 12.11 (83)
MORNINGSIDE 1.5 2.7 6.10 6.15 (51)
Southport goals: W Capper 3, C O’Brien 2, R Jones, C Rippon, R Enders, C Mansbridge, C Matthews, J Howes, J Baryczka.
Southport best: P Siede, J Cotter, R Jones, M Walsh, M Smith, R Enders.
At Esplen Oval, Brisbane (lights).
Round 3 bye
Round 3 (Mar 28):
SOUTHPORT 6.6 11.8 16.11 21.18 (144)
KEDRON-GRANGE 2.5 4.10 6.14 8.15 (63)
Southport goals: W Capper 10, C Mansbridger 3, S Moss 3, C O’Brien 2, C Crowley, M Smith, J Baryczka.
Southport best: P Siede, J Cotter, W Capper, C Matthews, D Crutchfield, R Jones.
At Fankhauser Reserve, Musgrave Hill (lights).
Round 4 (Apr 4):
SOUTHPORT 3.2 7.3 9.6 12.10 (82)
MAYNE 1.2 3.2 3.2 5.4 (34)
Southport goals: W Capper 4, C Rippon 2, J Cotter, R Enders, J Brennan, J Howes, C O’Sullivan, C O’Brien.
Southport best: C O’Sullivan, P Siede, D Crutchfield, C Black, J Cotter, C Mansbridge.
At Windsor Park, Brisbane.
Round 5 (Apr 12):
SOUTHPORT 7.7 10.17 16.26 22.35 (167)
WEST BRISBANE 0.3 1.4 2.5 2.6 (18)
Southport goals: M Smith 4, W Capper 4, R Enders 3, J Howes 3, O’Brien 3, J Cotter 2, R Jones 2, C Matthews.
Southport best: M Smith, M Kennedy, R Enders, C O’Sullivan, R Jojnes, J Cotter.
At Fankhauser Reserve, Musgrave Hill.
Round 6 (Apr 19):
SOUTHPORT 5.2 11.9 17.12 24.16 (160)
COORPAROO 3.1 5.3 8.4 12.6 (78)
Southport goals: W Capper 7, C O’Brien 4, C Mansbridge 3, J Cotter 3, C Rippon 2, R Enders 2, C Matthews, R Jones, S Moss.
Southport best: J Millane, R Enders, R Jones, C O’Sullivan, M Smirh, W Capper.
At Giffin Park, Brisbane.
Round 7 (Apr 26):
SOUTHPORT 5.2 10.9 13.10 18.16 (124)
NORTH BRISBANE 3.3 3.3 5.3 7.5 (47)
Southport goals: W Capper 3, C O’Brien 3, C Mansbridge 3, C Rippon 3, R Jones 2, M Smith, C O’Sullivan, J Howes, J Cotter.
Southport best: M Walsh, R Jones, J Cotter, C O’Sullivan, C Mansbridge, M Smith.
At Fankhauser Reserve, Musgrave Hill.
Round 8 bye
Round 9 (May 9):
SOUTHPORT 7.4 11.8 13.11 16.11 (107)
MORNINGSIDE 1.3 7.3 10.3 16.3 (99)
Southport goals: C O’Brien 4, C Crowley 3, C Mansbridge 3, J Cotter 2, C Rippon 2, J Howes, M Smith.
Southport best: R Jones, M Walsh, J Millane, C Mansbridge, R Enders, D Crutchfield.
At Fankhauser Reserve, Musgrave Hill.
Round 10 (May 17):
SOUTHPORT 5.4 8.9 8.10 15.15 (105)
KEDRON-GRANGE 1.2 2.4 5.7 6.8 (44)
Southport goals: C O’Brien 4, C Rippon 3, C Crowley 2, A Rankin 2, R Enders, S Stephens, J Howes, C O’Sullivan.
Southport best: P Siede, M Smith, J Millane, C O’Brien, C Rippon, A Lowe.
At Anderson Oval, Brisbane.
Round 11 (May 24):
SOUTHPORT 9.4 14.9 20.14 30.19 (199)
MAYNE 1.1 4.4 8.5 11.9 (75)
Southport goals: C O’Brien 12, A Rankin 5, C Mansbridge 4, M Smith 3, J Cotter 2, S Stephens 2, N Mansbridge, A Hamilton.
Southport best: C O’Brien, P Siede, C Mansbridge, J Brennan, S Stephens, M Smith.
At Fankhauser Reserve, Musgrave Hill.
Round 12 (May 31):
SOUTHPORT 3.5 7.7 14.10 14.12 (96)
COORPAROO 0.0 2.2 3.2 8.7 (55)
Southport goals: W Capper 5, M Smith 2, C O’Brien 2, J Cotter, N Mansbridge, C Rippon, C Mansbridge, A Lowe.
Southport best: C Crowley, A Lowe, J Millane, R Eneders, C Mansbridge, M Smith.
At Fankhauser Reserve, Musgrave Hill.
Round 13 (Jun 7):
SOUTHPORT 5.2 12.3 16.8 21.11 (137)
WEST BRISBANE 2.2 5.8 8.11 13.15 (93)
Southport goals: W Capper 6, C Rippon 6, J Cotter 2, S Stephens 2, N Mansbridge, C Mansbridge, R Enders, C O’Brien.
Southport best: C Rippon, M Smith, C Mansbridge, M Billings, A Hamilton, A Devine.
At Chelmer Oval, Brisbane.
Round 14 (Jun 14):
SOUTHPORT 2.1 4.5 54.7 11.10 (76)
NORTH BRISBANE 3.7 6.9 7.12 8.13 (61)
Southport goals: W Capper 3, S Stephens 3, C Rippon 2, C Crowley, A Hamilton, C Mansbridge.
Southport best: R Enders, D Crutchfield, S Stephens, C Mansbridge, M Walsh, J Millane.
At O’Callaghan Park, Brisbane.
Round 15 bye
Round 16 (Jul 5):
SOUTHPORT 7.2 11.8 19.11 26.16 (172)
KEDRON-GRANGE 1.1 2.4 4.7 4.8 (32)
Southport goals: C Rippon 7, C O’Brien 4, J Cotter 3, D Crutchfield 3, N Mansbridge 2, R Enders 2, C Matthews 2, A Hamilton 2, J Howes.
Southport best: C O’Sullivan, N Mansbridge, R Enders, C Rippon, P Siede, A Hamilton.
At Fankhauser Reserve, Musgrave Hill.
Round 17 (Jul 12):
SOUTHPORT 3.2 10.9 11.13 16.15 (111)
MORNINGSIDE 4.1 4.5 8.8 9.9 (63)
Southport goals: M Smith 4, C O’Brien 3, S Stephens 2, C O’Sullivan 2, W Capper 2, J Cotter, J Howes, C Headland.
Southport best: J Cotter, R Enders, C O’Sullivan, D Crutchfield, M Walsh, S Stephens.
At Esplen Oval, Brisbane.
Round 18 (Jul 19):
SOUTHPORT 4.5 9.12 12.16 20.18 (138)
MAYNE 1.4 7.7 10.11 15.13 (103)
Southport goals: W Capper 5, N Mansbridge 4, J Cotter 3, R Brennan 2, C O’Sullivan 2, C BHeadland 2, S Stephens, C Matthews.
Southport best: J Cotter, C Headland, N Mansbridgve, C O’Sullivan, S Stephens, J Millane.
At Windsor Park, Brisbane.
Round 19 (Jul 26):
SOUTHPORT 7.1 13.7 16.14 27.21 (183)
WEST BRISBANE 2.3 2.3 4.5 5.5 (35)
Southport goals: C Mansbridge 6, W Capper 6, R Brennan 4, C Headland 4, S Stephens 3, M Smith 2, J Howes, C O’Sullivan.
Southport best: D Crutchfield, C Matthews, M Walsh, J Cotter, C Mansbridge, R Brennan.
At Fankhauser Reserve, Musgrave Hill.
Round 20 (Aug 2):
SOUTHPORT 4.2 8.6 15.10 18.13 (121)
NORTH BRISBANE 1.4 4.5 5.7 7.7 (49)
Southport goals: W Capper 7, C Rippon 4, C Mansbridge 2, C Headland 2, J Cotter, C Crowley.
Southport best: S Stephens, J Cotter, C Headland, M Smith, W Capper.
At Fankhauser Reserve, Musgrave Hill.
Round 21 (Aug 9):
SOUTHPORT 6.7 6.9 12.15 15.18 (108)
COORPAROO 2.3 5.4 6.5 6.7 (43)
Southport goals: W Capper 6, C Rippon 3, J Cotter, R Eneders, C Mansbridge, R Jones, C O’Sullivan, A Lowe.
Southport best: C Rippon, D Crutchfield, J Howes, C O’Sullivan, R Enders, W Capper.
At Giffin Park, Brisbane.
Second semi-final (Aug 16):
MORNINGSIDE 5.4 9.9 12.10 16.14 (110)
SOUTHPORT 3.2 5.9 8.14 8.14 (62)
Southport goals: W Capper 6, C Mansbridge, R Enders.
Southport best: D Crutchfield, W Capper, P Siede, M Smith, S Stephens.
At the Gabba, Brisbane.
Preliminary final (Aug 23):
SOUTHPORT 4.3 9.5 13.8 20.11 (131)
NORTH BRISBANE 2.4 4.5 11.8 15.10 (100)
Southport goals: C Headland 4, C O’Brien 3, C Crowley 3, C Rippon 2, W Capper 2, R Jones 2, M Smith, C Matthews, J Cotter, C Mansbridge.
Southport best: P Siede, C Headland, S Stephens, D Crutchfield, C O’Brien, C Matthews.
At the Gabba, Brisbane.
Grand final (Aug 30):
SOUTHPORT 1.2 9.6 12.6 14.19 (94)
MORNINGSIDE 4.2 7.3 9.5 12.8 (80)
Southport goals: C O’Brien 3, J Cotter 2, C Rippon 2, R Jones 2, C Headland 2, W Capper 2, A Lowe.
Southport best: P Siede, J Cotter, D Crutchfield, R Jones, J Howes, C O’Sullivan.
At the Gabba, Brisbane
