Footy is back! The Sharks begin their 2023 VFL campaign this weekend against the Sandringham Zebras. Sandringham are based in Melbourne’s East at Trevor Barker Oval and were established in 1929. The Zebras have been the VFL affiliate club for St Kilda since 2009, but previously were aligned with Melbourne. They have won 10 premierships in the VFA/VFL, and their CEO, Marcus Ashcroft, is a Hall of Famer at the Sharks.
Last year, the Zebras finished 12th, however will be looking to make the finals this year for the first time since 2016. When Southport and Sandringham played against each other in Round 12, the Sharks won by 44 points. Expect a much closer game this time. Sandringham have played three VFL practice matches – Essendon (Lost), Richmond (Won), Werribee (Lost). The Zebra’s player to watch is their captain, Anthony Seaton. The small defender finished third in Sandringham’s 2022 best and fairest behind two St Kilda listed players.
Southport has had a good pre-season despite losing both of their practice matches against Brisbane and are hoping to go one better than they did last year as Runners Up. The Sharks have brought in 21 new players on their list. Out of the new players, the man to watch is ruckman Matt Conroy who has come off the Gold Coast Suns list.
To keep up to date with Southport Sharks news, follow @southportsharksafl on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and head to our website – southportsharks.com.au/football.
For live streaming, stats, team lists, fixtures and ladders, head to vfl.com.au or the VFL app.
Or better still, come on down to the club and cheer on our boys for the first game of the season. There are plenty of food and beverage options available inside the clubhouse and at the junior canteen as well as a large range of merchandise for sale. Click here to find out more information.
Photo: Mackenzie Willis handballing the ball in the Southport Sharks practice match against the Brisbane Lions. Credit: Highflyer Images