The Southport Sharks hosted Yeronga South-Brisbane at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday for the final home and away game of the 2024 season.
Seniors
Southport defeated Yeronga-South Brisbane by 109 points, winning 16.13 (109) to 0.0 (0).
The Sharks’ midfield, led by Georja Davies (26 hit outs), Steph O’Brien (29 disposals, six marks and seven clearances), and Maddy Watt (28 disposals, 11 clearances and six tackles), dominated.
Up forward, Maddy Baldwin kicked four goals, whilst Kaylee Kimber and Siobhan Ross played well in Southport’s defence.
The win means for the second year in a row, the Sharks have finished the home and away season as minor premiers.
After the game, Southport Coach Peter Doherty said, “It is a great achievement to finish the home and away season as minor premiers, and the girls should be proud of it.”
“However, we have bigger ambitions. We know there is still a lot of work to do, and we look forward to it.”
Southport’s finals campaign will begin with a qualifying final against Aspley on Saturday the 10th of August at 2:15pm at Fankhauser Reserve.
Southport v Yeronga South-Brisbane – Saturday 27 July, Fankhauser Reserve, 3pm
SOUTHPORT 4.5 9.9 13.11 16.13 (109)
YERONGA SOUTH-BRISBANE 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (0)
GOALS: Maddy Baldwin 4, Alannah Welsh, Tayla Gregory, Georja Davies, Rianna Schipp, Steph O’Brien, Abbie Pluples, Sunny Lappin, Maighan Fogas
BEST PLAYERS: Georja Davies, Steph O’Brien, Kaylee Kimber, Maddy Watt, Siobhan Ross, Maddy Baldwin
Reserves
Southport defeated Yeronga South-Brisbane by 115 points, winning 17.13 (115) to 0.0 (0).
Maddy Rasmussen, Jess Maher and Rhianna Ingram starred in the midfield.
Taylah Power (five goals), Alessia Smythe (four goals), Scarlett Featherstone (four goals) and Alicia Gordon (three goals) led the way in front of goal, whilst Leigh Alder was solid in defence for the Sharks.
The Sharks finished the home and away season as minor premiers which is the first time that Southport has won the QAFLW Reserves Minor Premiership.
Southport Coach Mal Smith said, “We’ve had a very consistent year which has been really pleasing.”
“The girls have worked hard to be in the position they are in, and now it’s about making the most of this opportunity.”
Southport will play Bond University in the Qualifying Final at Fankhauser Reserve on the 10th of August at 12pm.
Southport v Yeronga South-Brisbane – Saturday 27 July, Fankhauser Reserve, 5pm
SOUTHPORT 5.4 9.8 14.10 17.13 (115)
YERONGA-SOUTH BRISBANE 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (0)
GOALS: Taylah Power 5, Alessia Smythe 4, Scarlett Featherstone 4, Alicia Gordon 3, Neesa Doyle
BEST PLAYERS: Scarlett Featherstone, Maddy Rasmussen, Alicia Gordon, Jess Maher, Leigh Alder, Rhianna Ingram
Photo Credit: Highflyer Images