2024 saw the Southport Sharks senior men’s team compete in the VFL and the senior women’s teams compete in the QAFLW.
VFL
In 2024, the Southport Sharks competed in the VFL among a 21-team field featuring 11 AFL clubs, three AFL-aligned clubs and seven stand-alone clubs. The Sharks qualified for finals in fifth position.
Under Head Coach Steve Daniel, the team maintained a well-balanced list of 40 players, comprising 27 aged 22 and over and 13 under 22. Three players under 22 were required to play each week.
Three pre-season matches were played against Gold Coast, Sydney and GWS, resulting in three wins. The season opened with a 46-point win over Port Melbourne at home, followed by a three-point loss to Werribee and a 46-point defeat at Williamstown. A one-point win over Essendon at The Hangar levelled the record at 2–2.
After a close loss to Brisbane in Round 5, Southport recorded a 27-point win over Collingwood at Fankhauser Reserve, beginning a seven-game winning streak. Key results included a 47-point win over the Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium to reclaim the Doc Mackenzie Cup and consecutive victories against Coburg and Carlton during a six-day break and back-to-back travel period.
The final six games of the season produced three wins and three losses, including a strong performance against Werribee and a loss to Sandringham after leading by 35 points in the third quarter. Southport finished the home-and-away season with 12 wins, six losses and a percentage of 120.5%, securing fifth place and a bye in the Wildcard Round.
In the opening final at home against Frankston, Southport recorded a 30.15 (195) to 16.7 (103) win. The following week at GMHBA Stadium, the Sharks defeated Geelong, which included five AFL Premiership players, after leading by 27 points at half-time. The Preliminary Final at Whitten Oval against Footscray was played in cold and wet conditions, including a third-quarter hailstorm, with Southport progressing to the Grand Final.
The Grand Final was held at Ikon Park on 22 September against Werribee. Scores remained close for most of the match before Southport was defeated 8.15 (63) to 10.9 (69).
Michael Manteit reached his 100th game for Southport during the 2024 season. He is a former Co-Captain, Doc Mackenzie Medallist, Wally Fankhauser Memorial Trophy recipient and member of the NEAFL Team of the Year. Manteit has represented the club in four Grand Finals, including the 2018 NEAFL Premiership win.
Awards
Doc Mackenzie Medal (Best & Fairest) – Boyd Woodcock
Runner Up Best & Fairest – Ben Jepson
Leading Goal Kicker – Hugh Dixon (43)
Wally Fankhauser Memorial Trophy – Jesse Joyce
John Gonard Trademark Award – Matt McGuinness
Ken McDonald Most Dedicated Player Award – Nick Williams
QAFLW
Following the sad and untimely passing of our newly elected President, Matt Schneider in January 2023, we were proud to dedicate our new female player changerooms in his honour. The Matt Schneider Locker Room is a legacy from Matt’s vision for a successful women’s football program. Whether mentoring players or assisting with the operational and strategic needs, Matt was totally committed to his beloved Sharks and we miss him greatly.
After the disappointment of a Grand Final overtime loss in 2022, Southport were looking to go one better in the 2023 QAFLW season. To assist with the operations of our QAFLW teams, Southport Hall of Fame player David Ashkar returned to the fold and proved to be a great asset as our Assistant Manager – Football Operations.
The 2023 competition consisted of eight teams from South-East Queensland. Southport and Bond University from the Gold Coast, University of Queensland, Yeronga, Coorparoo, Wilston Grange, Aspley from Brisbane and Maroochydore from the Sunshine Coast.
Peter Doherty took over as Senior Coach from Ryan Davis and was assisted by Jim Sandral and Corey Gillie for the duration of the season.
Prior to the season starting, the AFLW conducted a supplementary draft and three Southport Sharks players were selected, being Poppy Boltz, Caitlin Miller and Anise Bradfield.
The season started brilliantly with a resounding win in the Grand Final rematch. The game was played at Brighton Homes Arena and the Sharks were way too good for University of Queensland to the tune of 89 points.
Numerous big wins were to follow and we found ourselves undefeated and on top of the ladder after 10 rounds. In Round 11, we faced a full-strength Bond University at Fankhauser Reserve. A low scoring first half developed into a shootout after time, but we were outclassed by a Bond University team laden with Su
In 2024, Southport Sharks completed a successful third season in state league football, with both the QAFLW Seniors and Reserves teams winning their respective Grand Finals. The 2024 QAFLW competition featured eight teams from South-East Queensland: Southport and Bond University from the Gold Coast; University of Queensland, Yeronga, Coorparoo, Wilston Grange and Aspley from Brisbane; and Maroochydore from the Sunshine Coast.
Led by Senior Coach Peter Doherty, the Seniors recorded a consistent and disciplined campaign. The season began with a 71-point victory over Wilston Grange at Fankhauser Reserve, where Abbie Pluples played her 50th senior game for the club. Consecutive away losses to Bond University and Aspley followed, but these proved to be the final defeats of the season.
Southport went on to win the next 11 matches, including return victories over Bond University by 26 points and Aspley by 27 points, finishing on top of the ladder with 12 wins and a percentage 111% clear of the next best side. In the second semi-final against Aspley at Fankhauser Reserve, the Sharks produced a strong five-goal opening quarter and secured a 22-point win to advance to the Grand Final.
The Grand Final was played on 26 August at People First Stadium in front of approximately 1,500 spectators, with Bond University the opponent in an all-Gold Coast contest. Southport led by 10 points at half time before extending the margin with a four-goal third quarter to complete a 35-point victory and claim the club’s first QAFLW Premiership.
Key defender Kaylee Kimber was awarded the Best on Ground Medal for her performance and subsequently signed with the Western Bulldogs AFLW team the following day.
Several Southport players represented Queensland in the state match against Tasmania, including Steph O’Brien (Captain), Maddy Watt, Tayla Gregory and Kaylee Kimber, contributing to a 58-point win.
At the Emma Zielke Medal night held at the Gabba, Steph O’Brien won her second consecutive league medal, Dekota Baron was named QAFLW Rising Star and received Mark of the Year, and Peter Doherty was recognised as Coach of the Year. Steph O’Brien, Maddy Watt, Kaylee Kimber, Maddy Baldwin and Georja Davies were all selected in the QAFLW Team of the Year.
The Reserves team, led by 2022 Premiership Coach Malcolm Smith, won 13 of 14 home-and-away games to finish first on the ladder, one game clear of Bond University, with a percentage of 770.86. In Round 14, Southport defeated Yeronga by 115 points to secure the minor premiership.
In the first final, Southport hosted Bond University, recovering from a 13-point quarter-time deficit to record a one-point victory and progress to the Grand Final. Played as a curtain-raiser to the senior match, Southport again faced Bond University, kicking three unanswered goals in the third quarter to set up a 20-point win and secure the club’s second QAFLW Reserves Premiership.
Southport acknowledges all players, coaches, staff members and volunteers for their efforts and contributions throughout the 2024 QAFLW season. The club also extends its appreciation to Peter Doherty, who has stepped down as Senior Coach after five years, and to Malcolm Smith, who has resigned as Reserves Coach, for their leadership and commitment to the program.
Awards
Best & Fairest (Audrey Fankhauser Medal) – Maddy Watt
Runner Up Best & Fairest – Steph O’Brien
Best Finals Player – Maddy Watt and Kaylee Kimber
Most Professional Player – Emma Suckling
Most Consistent Player – Georja Davies
Coaches Award – Kaylee Kimber
Trademark Award – Leigh Alder
Reserves Best & Fairest – Jess Maher
Reserves Most Improved – Maddie Gault
Reserves Coaches Award – Chaise Montey