The Southport Sharks took on the Maroochydore Roos in Round 5 of the QAFLW at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday Afternoon.
Seniors
Southport defeated Maroochydore by 78 points, winning 12.13 (85) to 1.1 (7).
The Roos kicked their one and only goal for the game in the first three minutes of the match.
It didn’t take long for the Sharks to respond though, with their first goal coming through Maddy Baldwin a couple of minutes later.
Eloise O’Brien then kicked her first goal for the Sharks at this level, to give Southport the lead.
Goals to Abbie Pluples and Emma Suckling late in the opening term extended the Sharks lead to 17 points at quarter time.
The Sharks were then up by 42 points at halftime after goals from Tayla Gregory, Maddy Baldwin, and Steph O’Brien in the second quarter.
Southport was less dominant in the third quarter, but they still managed to kick two majors, thanks to a goal and a goal assist from 16-year-old Scarlett Featherstone.
Determined to finish the game well, Southport kicked three goals in the last quarter to have their biggest win for the year.
Southport Coach Peter Doherty said, “It was a great four-quarter performance, and the best thing is everyone contributed to it.”
Tearnie Brown and Shayla Lloyd led the way down back for the Sharks, whilst Avalon Pearce dominated in the ruck with 32 hitouts.
Megan Hunt, Emma Suckling and Abbie Pluples were also amongst the Sharks’ best for their ability to get the ball inside 50.
Doherty said, “A win like that should hopefully build some confidence ahead of a big game against Coorparoo.”
Southport’s Seniors will play Coorparoo on Saturday at 2pm at Giffin Park as part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
Southport v Maroochydore – Saturday 11 May, Fankhauser Reserve, 2:00pm
SOUTHPORT 4.0 7.7 9.8 12.9 (85)
MAROOCHYDORE 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 (7)
GOALS: Maddy Baldwin 3, Tayla Gregory 2, Scarlett Featherstone 2, Eloise O’Brien, Steph O’Brien, Abbie Pluples, Maighan Fogas, Emma Suckling
BEST PLAYERS: Tearnie Brown, Avalon Pearce, Shayla Lloyd, Megan Hunt, Emma Suckling, Abbie Pluples
Click here for the 2024 QAFLW Seniors Fixture, Results and Ladder
Reserves
Southport defeated Maroochydore by 111 points, winning 18.15 (123) to 2.0 (12)
The Sharks only led by 12 points at quarter time despite having nine scoring shots to the Roos’ two in the opening quarter.
However, the Sharks straightened up in the second quarter, kicking five goals and three behinds to lead by 45 points at halftime.
Southport kept the foot on the peddle in the third quarter, kicking another five goals to take the margin to 77 points at three-quarter time.
The Sharks kicked five goals again in the last quarter to win their second game by over 100 points for the year.
Alessia Smythe (four goals), Taylah Power (three goals), and Paris Couzijn (three goals) led the way for the Sharks in front of goal.
After the match, Southport Coach Mal Smith said, “It was a very pleasing win. The top four teams on the ladder are separated only by percentage, so wins like that are crucial in the context of our season and playing finals.”
“We have had three solid performances in a row, so the challenge now is to continue to bring the same pressure and intensity against Coorparoo this week who have also had a great start to the season.”
The Reserves play Coorparoo on Saturday at 12pm at Giffin Park as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
Southport v Maroochydore – Saturday 11 May, Fankhauser Reserve, 12:00pm
SOUTHPORT 3.6 8.9 13.11 18.15 (123)
MAROOCHYDORE 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 (12)
GOALS: Alessia Smythe 4, Paris Couzijn 3, Taylah Power 3, Neesa Doyle 2, Nakeisha Drew-Perkiss 2, Zoe Johnson 2, Lucy Wallace, Shyla Rau
BEST PLAYERS: Taylah Power, Alessia Smythe, Maddie Gault, Emma Clifton, Zoe Johnson, Serina Balanda
Click here for the 2024 QAFLW Reserves Fixture, Results and Ladder
Photo Credit: Highflyer Images