Southport will be looking to buck recent history as it continues its chase for its first VFL premiership in the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.

The Sharks are no strangers to the big stage, with Sunday’s premiership-decider against Footscray their third Grand Final appearance in four years.

Premiership success has alluded them so far, however the Sharks are determined to change that and take the VFL cup north for the second time in three years after the Gold Coast Suns saluted for the flag in 2023.

As he looks to complete a fairytale first season as senior coach, Matthew Primus said the club had made some slight tweaks this year in the hope of going one better.

“The bedrock of how we play is pretty similar but we’ve had to be a bit better in a few areas and we've concentrated pretty heavily on that,” Primus told the State of Play podcast.

“Most teams want to have three or four key things they want to be good at, and we're pretty good at them.

“But we've been able to tinker with a few things and work on that really well.

“We think that's got us into a great spot and gives us another opportunity to try and win one of these premierships, which are really hard in the VFL.”

Southport is the number one attacking side in the competition heading into the decider and has scored 100 points or greater in all but two of its past eight matches.

While Primus knows the club’s dangerous attack is an important factor in its success in 2025, he is equally pleased that key indicators in other areas around the ground have improved.

“Sometimes when you focus too hard on attack, your defence drops, but we're still the third or fourth best defence in the comp too. So, I think it's a great combination we've got,” he said.

“We think ball in hand will hold us in good stead. And when we don't have the ball, we're pretty good in that regard too.”

Co-captain Jacob Dawson will lead a star-studded midfield group fresh off claiming the J.J. Liston Trophy and Coaches MVP double at the VFL/W Awards.

Dawson said the club had taken away key learnings from its Grand Finals defeats to Werribee and Casey Demons over the past three years and was confident they could flip the script this time around.

“I draw a fair bit of confidence from the fact we've been able to get back here each year,” Dawson said.

“There are 21 teams trying to do the same thing. And we've managed to put ourselves in a position to go on better again.”

Dawson pinpointed Zac Foot as a player who can help take the Sharks to premiership glory in Sunday’s decider.

Foot has averaged 24 disposals per game and kicked 26 majors this season to earn a spot in the Smithy’s VFL Team of the Year.

“He's a star. Footscray will have their hands full chasing after him,” Dawson said.

“The year he's had has been incredible. And he's a great person as well and a great leader for our football club. So, when he gets the ball in his hands and tucks it under his arm, it's pretty special.”

2025 Smithy's VFL Grand Final
Footscray Bulldogs (1st) vs Southport Sharks (3rd)
Sunday, September 21
2:15pm AEST
IKON Park (entry via Gate 5 and 6)

Ticketing: Admission prices will be adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free. Tickets can be purchased at www.intix.com.au/org/vfl. Patrons purchasing at the gate are advised the payment method is card only. Entry will be via Gate 5 and 6.

Broadcast: The 2025 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final will be broadcast live and free on the Seven Network via 7mate in Victoria and 7plus nationally. The match will also be streamed live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.