In Round 4 of the QAFLW, Southport travelled to Bond University for the Shark Showdown, and both grades came away with wins.
QAFLW Seniors
The Southport Sharks remain undefeated for 2023, defeating local rivals Bond University Bullsharks in the first Shark Showdown for the year, by 35 points.
Led by the midfield the Sharks were too good for the Bullsharks winning 6.5 (41) to 1.1 (7).
Sharks’ midfielders – Georgia Breward (35 disposals, four clearances and nine tackles), Steph O’Brien (32 disposals and seven tackles) and Maddy Watt (30 disposals, 17 contested possessions) were very impressive.
Lilly Pearce was dominant in the ruck with 29 hitouts, and Selina Priest was the general down back.
Up forward, Maggie O’Connell extended her lead as the QAFLW Seniors’ leading goal kicker to four goals with two X-Factor goals.
In terms of the flow of the game, Southport had control of the game in the first half going into the main break up by 16 points.
The Bullsharks who came into the game undefeated, lifted their pressure after half time, with neither of the teams able to score a goal in the third quarter.
However, in the last quarter, Southport kicked away booting three goals to zero.
After the game, Southport Coach Peter Doherty said, “It was a solid win. It’s always pleasing when the girls can put together four quarter performances.”
“We knew we had to win the ball at the contest to make sure they weren’t able to get on the outside which makes them so dangerous.”
“So, to win the contested possession count 184 to 85 was fantastic and really set the game up.”
This week Southport’s QAFLW Senior team are playing Maroochydore at 3pm on Saturday at Fankhauser Reserve.
BOND UNIVERSITY 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 (7)
SOUTHPORT 2.3 3.4 3.5 6.5 (41)
Goal Kickers: Ruby Mitchell 2, Maggie O’Connell 2, Hannah Davies, Tayla Gregory
Best Players: Madeleine Watt, Selina Priest, Stephanie O’Brien, Georgia Breward, Lilly Pearce, Maggie O’Connell
QAFLW Reserves
The Southport Sharks have rebounded from last week’s defeat with a 24-point win in last year’s grand final re-match, against the Bond University Bullsharks.
Bond University were ahead at half time, but the Sharks were the much better of the two teams in the second half winning 4.13 (37) to 2.2 (14).
Southport Coach Mal Smith said, “Bond University were really good in the first half, so it was great that we were able to match it with them and then go to work in the second half.”
“Despite trailing at half time, we knew if we kept persisting, were strong at the contest and our forwards kept leading the game would open up for us and it did.”
“Obviously, we would have loved to be more accurate than 4.13 in front of goal, and we will continue to work on our goal kicking.
“However, I am pleased we had 17 scoring shots and bounced back from our defeat last week.”
This week Southport’s QAFLW Reserves team are playing Maroochydore at 5pm on Saturday at Fankhauser Reserve.
BOND UNIVERSITY 1.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 (14)
SOUTHPORT 0.2 1.5 3.8 4.13 (37)
Goal Kickers: Abby Gain, Indira Maradani, Avalon Pearce
Best Players: Peyton Mackie, Victoria Winstanley, Abby Gain, Monica Bulmer, Ella Williams, Serina Balanda