The Southport Sharks are in the top 4 of the VFL after defeating the Geelong Cats by 47 points on Thursday Night.
It was a bumper night at Fankhauser Reserve, as the hosts defeated the Cats 15.13 (103) to 8.8 (56).
For the second week in the row, the Sharks won the game in the first quarter, kicking seven goals to two in the opening term.
Billy Gowers kicked two of those goals, and the debutant Jay Foon kicked one.
The lead was 30 points at Quarter Time. From there the game was a lot more even, but the damage had already been done, with the Sharks proving too good for the Cats.
Rain came in the second half, but it did little to affect the result of the game.
After the game, Southport Coach Steve Daniel revealed that he asked his players to copy and paste what they had done against Werribee in the first quarter last week.
He said, “We were so happy with our first quarter against Werribee last week. We were also aware that last week Geelong had a good first quarter against Brisbane. So, we wanted to be exceptional in the first quarter, and I think we were. Our pressure was elite.”
The thing that impressed Steve the most though, was that everyone played their role and contributed to a significant win for the club.
“As coaches, we put a huge emphasis on effort and having 23 contributors. So, to get that is very pleasing.”
The midfield again led the way for the Sharks, benefited by the inclusion of ruckman Fraser Thurlow.
Thurlow took 8 marks and finished with a goal in his first game back for the year, recovering from his thigh injury.
His fellow big man Brayden Crossley also played well finishing with 20 disposals, 28 hit outs and two goals.
Jacob Dawson finished with 32 disposals and 8 clearances, Boyd Woodcock had 28 disposals, 9 clearances, and six marks including a spectacular mark in the second quarter.
This week, the fourth-place Sharks take on last year’s minor premiers Footscray at the Whitten Oval at 3:05 pm, which should be another good test for Steve Daniel’s team.
VFL Round 4 Southport v Geelong
Southport 7.1 10.8 13.11 15.13 (103)
Geelong 2.1 3.3 5.7 8.8 (56)
Goal Kickers: B.Crossley 2, B.Gowers 2, J.Joyce 2, M.Pescud, T. Fields, J. Foon, Z.Foot, F.Thurlow, J.Townsend, J.Williams, B.Woodcock
Best Players: B.Woodcock, B.Crossley,J.Joyce, J.Dawson, J.Lockhart, F.Thurlow
To watch the match replay, highlights and stats click here
To view, the VFL Ladder click here
Photo: Jay Foon on debut kicking a goal. KPM Images.