The Southport Sharks are back on the winner’s list after a gritty 14 point win over the Frankston Dolphins at Kinetic Stadium on Saturday Night. 

Played in front of a large, passionate Frankston crowd, the Sharks proved too good, winning 10.11 (71) to 8.9 (57).

Frankston had the breeze in the opening quarter, and they got off to a great start kicking the first three goals of the game.

Southport then kicked two of the next three goals to trail by 15 points at quarter time.

When the Sharks had the breeze in the second quarter, they had a lot of opportunities to hit the lead, but they couldn’t capitalise, kicking 2.6, and trailed by three points at half time.

It was important for the score not to blow out in the third quarter, to give the Sharks the best opportunity to come home strong with the breeze.

Frankston kicked the first goal of the third quarter, but then Pescud and Woodcock kicked critical goals to put the Sharks in front midway through the third.

Neither team could get a goal late in the third quarter, with Frankston kicking a couple of points to make the scores level at three quarter time.

Southport started the last quarter well, kicking the first three goals of the quarter to get out to a lead of 20 points.

Frankston cut the margin back to 14 points a couple of minutes later before Woodcock’s kicked a monster goal outside 50 for the Sharks just in front of a big pack of Frankston’s supporters to seal the game.

The Dolphins kicked a consolidation goal in the last two minutes of the game to cut the final margin back to 14 points.

Southport Coach Steve Daniel said, “It was a great win. To come down to Frankston and win in front of a big crowd was fantastic.”

“We loved the opportunity of going down there and playing on a Saturday Night. Obviously, it made it better that we won, but it was a fantastic atmosphere and something I know our boys loved.”

“We were frustrated with our first half, but our second half was much better, and I thought we deserved to win in the end.”

“It certainly wasn’t an easy win, we had to work hard, but I was really proud of the boy’s ability to grind it out.”

Jacob Dawson (38 disposals, seven tackles and 9 clearances) and Boyd Woodcock (34 disposals, seven tackles, eight clearances and two goals) led the way in the middle.

Jack Sexton (three goals, four marks and two score assists) and Jake McQueen (one goal, six marks and a score assist) also kicked quality goals and played well forward.

Down back, Matt Gahan and Matt McGuinness were solid. Frankston had the same number of Inside 50s as Southport but had four less scoring shots.

Southport’s next game is against Essendon on Saturday, the 5th of August, at 11:35am at Fankhauser Reserve.

FRANKSTON DOLPHINS 4.5 5.5 6.8 8.9 (57)SOUTHPORT SHARKS 2.2 4.8 6.8 10.11 (71)

Goal Kickers: Jack Sexton 3, Boyd Woodcock 2, Jake McQueen, Zac Foot, Tom Fields, Max Pescud, Riley Bowman.

Best Players: Boyd Woodcock, Jacob Dawson, Jack Sexton, Jake McQueen, Matthew Gahan, Matt McGuinness

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