The Southport Sharks provided further evidence that they are one of the most successful AFL teams in the country with a 13th AFL Queensland state league premiership yesterday at Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara.
The Sharks skipped out to a healthy lead at quarter time in stifling conditions but this game was set to have many twists and turns.
Morningside who just scraped into the finals and had to endure many heart stopping moments to make the Grand Final, came back hard at the local boys in the second quarter.
With Southport leading by only five points at the long break, the Sharks and Morningside engaged in a titanic arm wrestle throughout the third quarter. The visitors began to take control late in the third and with 8 minutes gone in the final stanza Morningside had an almost unassailable lead of 22 points.
It is history now, that the Sharks went on to kick the last five goals of the game and run out winners 18-7 (115) to 15-17 (107). Victors by seven points despite having seven less scoring shots.
Morningside ruckman Jacob Gough was awarded the Joe Grant medal for best man on the ground but it was Southport that had the more even spread of ball winners. It was this fact that allowed the Sharks to run over the top of a heartbroken Morningside team in the hottest of conditions.
Sharks Hall of Famer Clint Watts was prominent in his last game before his retirement to collect his fifth premiership medal whilst his fellow defenders Kurt Niklaus, Luke Jenkins and Damien Charleston all shone brightly.
Southport’s star full forward Ben McEntree worked hard all day for three goals which included the sealer when he marked strongly right in front. Danny Wise and Darren O’Brien both impressed in the Sharks midfield in the absence of AFL draft prospect Dane Beams who after kicking a goal early was forced from the field in the first quarter with a hip flexor problem.
