SOUTHPORT has an almost unprecedented record of success when it comes to qualifying for and winning Grand Finals.

Since forming as the Magpies in 1961, the club has averaged a Grand Final appearance better than every second year, with Sunday’s Smithy’s VFL season climax against the Casey Demons at IKON Park to remarkably be its 39th premiership decider.

Southport has won 21 of those Grand Finals, including premierships in its debut year in 1961 in the Gold Coast AFL and in 1983 in its first season in the QAFL.

While the Sharks did not win the first NEAFL premiership, finishing seventh as that honour went to NT Thunder, that history of immediate success could be a good omen for their hopes of upsetting the Demons.

This is the Sharks’ third Grand Final in a row after a NEAFL loss to Brisbane Lions in 2019 and a win over Sydney in 2018 with a team that contained five players who will take the field on Sunday – co-captain Mike Manteit, former skipper Seb Tape, Ryan Davis, Rhys Clark and Mitch Johnson.

But that is certainly not unprecedented.

Southport has previously won four QAFL flags in a row (1997-2000), as well as a GCAFL threepeat (1975-77).

The Sharks played in a stunning 11 Grand Finals in 12 years from 1997-2008 for seven premierships, only missing out in 2003, when they lost in the preliminary final.

They also played in all but one QAFL decider from their entry to the league in 1983 until 1993, for six flags from 10 attempts.

It was a remarkable progression from the GCAFL, of which the Southport Magpies were a founding member and competed in 15 out of 22 Grand Finals, missing the finals just twice and winning another nine premierships.

Oh, and to add to the success, Southport inaugurated a women’s team in 2020, winning the flag in that year and again in 2021 before joining the QAFLW this year and losing the Grand Final in extra time.

It’s a proud record and one that ensures a mentality of success that has carried them a long way – in fact, they have lost just six of the 30 matches they have played since joining the VFL in 2021, with the biggest of those defeats being just 38 points against Collingwood late in the 2022 season.

Is there another chapter – the biggest one of all – about to be added to such a proud history?

SOUTHPORT GRAND FINALS

NEAFL

2019: Brisbane Lions 20.15 (135) def Southport 8.11 (59)
2018: Southport 14.6 (90) def Sydney 5.5 (35)

QAFL

2008: Southport 18.7 (115) def Morningside 15.17 (107)
2007: Mt Gravatt 16.12 (108) def Southport 10.10 (70)
2006: Southport 17.14 (116) def Zillmere 16.8 (104)
2005: Southport 16.15 (111) def Morningside 6.14 (50)
2004: Morningside 12.18 (90) def Southport 12.11 (83)
2002: Mt Gravatt 20.11 (131) def Southport 10.10 (70)
2001: Brisbane Lions 13.20 (98) def Southport 13.8 (86)
2000: Southport 10.8 (68) def Northern Eagles 8.11 (59)
1999: Southport 15.14 (104) def Northern Eagles 9.7 (61)
1998: Southport 12.15 (87) def Morningside 11.10 (76)
1997: Southport 26.13 (169) def Mt Gravatt 11.9 (75)
1993: Morningside 16.22 (118) def Southport 8.9 (57)
1992: Southport 14.10 (94) def Morningside 12.8 (80)
1991: Morningside 18.24 132 def Southport 9.17 (71)
1990: Southport 22.14 (146) def Morningside 12.15 (87)
1989: Southport 16.17 (113) def Windsor-Zillmere 12.5 (77)
1988: Windsor-Zillmere 13.13 (91) def Southport 9.5 (59)
1987: Southport 13.17 (95) def Windsor-Zillmere 11.6 (72)
1986: Coorparoo 12.16 (88) def Southport 11.12 (78)
1985: Southport 11.8 (74) def Mayne 10.11 (71)
1983: Southport 13.12 (90) def Morningside 12.5 (77)

GOLD COAST AFL

1982: Coolangatta 15.17 (107) def Southport 10.19 (79)
1981: Coolangatta 20.17 (137) def Southport 13.9 (87)
1980: Southport 17.18 (120) def Palm Beach 15.8 (98)
1979: Southport 17.16 (118) def Coolangatta 16.19 (115)
1978: Coolangatta 14.12 (96) def Southport 9.19 (73)
1977: Southport 22.18 (150) def Coolangatta 13.9 (87)
1976: Southport 14.11 (95) def Broadbeach 9.14 (68)
1975: Southport 26.16 (172) def Coolangatta 17.16 (118)
1973: Palm Beach-Currumbin 18.15 (123) def Southport 9.13 (67)
1971: Palm Beach-Currumbin 9.11 (65) def Southport 7.9 (51)
1969: Surfers Paradise 14.10 (94) def by Southport 10.9 (69)
1967: Surfers Paradise 13.19 (97) def Southport 8.10 (58)
1966: Southport 14.24 (108) def Surfers Paradise 7.16 (58)
1964: Surfers Paradise def by Southport 
1961: Southport 9.12 (66) def Ipswich 7.11 (53)

2022 SMITHY'S VFL GRAND FINAL
Sunday, September 18
Casey Demons v Southport (IKON Park, 12.50pm)

Broadcast/streaming: Seven Network from 12:30pm (Vic - Channel 7 / Brisbane and Gold Coast – 7mate / National - 7plus). Free live stream on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official app

Ticketing: For the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, admission prices are adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online via: www.intix.com.au/events/vflgrandfinal2022