Hungry Sharks spoil Ewing’s NT farewell

SOUTHPORT gatecrashed Darren Ewing’s farewell party last night when it thrashed Territory Thunder by 80 points in their NEAFL clash at TIO Stadium.

Ewing was given a guard of honour before and after his last match at Marrara, but it was the Sharks who were knighted after their comprehensive 19.16 (130) to 7.8 (50) win.

“It was a sad way to go out up here, but I’ve had so many great times up here that make up for it. The sun will come up tomorrow and it’s time now to reflect on playing out on this ground and all the good times I’ve had,’’ Ewing said postmatch.

“They (Southport) were awesome with their run and they were well drilled, but we levelled it up after half-time, so there were some positives to take out of it.’’

Southport’s kicking to position and smart use of the football dominated a first half when they booted 13 to one in a display that confirmed the fourth side on the ladder was playing the ninth.

The Sharks feasted on a stagnant Thunder who were often forced into a second or third option when they did get hold of the ball. Errant handballs and an inability to man up on their opponents cost Thunder dearly, particularly in the second quarter when players like Andrew Boston around the ball, Tom Wilkinson around goal and Lee Dale found the football.

Boston booted three goals from set shots despite copping a lot of attention from the Thunder defenders.

Wilkinson was always busy and Dale’s ability to push forward when he had the football often or his teammates were delivering it to him had his opponents second guessing on a number of occasions.

Ewing’s tumbling punt from a forward pocket that was swept away by the Southport defence was the only shot at goal the home side produced in a dismal second term.

Thunder failed to trouble the scorer due to an airtight Southport defence.

This was led by Ryan Davis and joint skipper Sebastian Tape, who forgot about the pre-match script that was supposed to allow his opponent Ewing a handful of goals.

Joe Anderson (hip) and Patrick Bowles (groin) were late withdrawals, replaced in the side by Jack Long and Patrick Heenan. NT THUNDER V SOUTHPORT BEST 1.0 1.0 4.3 7.8 4.4 13.9 17.13 19.16 GOALS