Southport defeated Collingwood for the first time in their history on Saturday Afternoon at Fankhauser Reserve.
It was a very important 27-point win for the Sharks in the context of their season, and because of it, they are now in the top ten after six rounds.
The Magpies challenged the Sharks, especially in the second quarter, but the afternoon belonged to Southport, winning 14.17 (101) to 11.8 (74).
Wylie Buzza got the Sharks off to a great start, scoring the match’s first goal with a set shot from a tight angle.
It wasn’t long before the Magpies responded though, with a set shot goal of their own before Southport kicked back-to-back goals for the first time in the match to get out to a 14 point lead.
The Sharks ended up leading by 16 points at quarter time after both sides kicked goals late in the first term.
That lead became 22 points very quickly after Wylie Buzza again kicked the first goal of the quarter.
The Magpies then kicked three goals in a row to cut the margin back to just two points.
Southport then went coast to coast from the kick out to extend the margin back to eight points.
Collingwood immediately replied with a goal after winning the centre clearance, but the Sharks still led by 8 points at half time after Mackenzie Willis kicked a goal late in the quarter.
The third quarter was high scoring with Southport kicking five goals to Collingwood’s four goals.
Southport were in the box seat at three quarter time, leading by sixteen points, but both sides have played in many close games this year, so they know it’s not over until the final siren.
In the first five minutes of the last quarter, Shark’s Co-Captain Brayden Crossley kicked back-to-back goals to open up the game.
The Sharks had more chances to extend their lead in the last quarter, but they couldn’t manage another major for the afternoon.
Collingwood kicked the last goal of the game, but it was too little too late.
After the game, Southport Coach Steve Daniel said, “We’ve played Collingwood twice before and they beat us both times comfortably, so we knew coming into today it was going to be a challenge.”
“To our boy’s credit, they rose to the challenge. We needed to win today to go 3-3 after six rounds, and they got the job done, which is pleasing.”
Ben Jepson and Jesse Joyce continued their good form on the half-back line.
Matt Shannon and Jacob Dawson led the way in the middle, and Wylie Buzza was terrific up forward with three goals.
Brayden Crossley was also among the Sharks’ best players, with his ruck work and his two clutch last quarter goals.
This week, Southport play the Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium on Sunday at 1:05pm for the Mackenzie Cup.
Southport v Collingwood – Saturday 4 May, Fankhauser Reserve, 12:05pm
SOUTHPORT 4.5 7.7 12.10 14.17 (101)
COLLINGWOOD 2.1 6.5 10.6 11.8 (74)
GOALS: Wylie Buzza 3, Jay Lockhart 2, Hugh Dixon 2, Brayden Crossley 2, Mackenzie Willis, Will Sexton, Max Pescud, Mike Manteit, Ryan Banks-Smith
BEST PLAYERS: Jesse Joyce, Ben Jepson, Boyd Woodcock, Wylie Buzza, Matt Shannon, Brayden Crossley
Photo Credit: Highflyer Images
