Sharks to cull: Boston

SOUTHPORT co-captain Andrew Boston predicts another player clean-out at the Sharks and says the club will need to be patient before enjoying success again.

Boston said the playing group wasn’t shocked by the exit of coach Nathan Bock after three tough seasons and said the quality of the list limited his ability to take the team towards a premiership.

Long-time heavyweights Southport endured one of their worst seasons in NEAFL history and won only four games all season.

“The last couple of years hasn’t been good for him there,” Boston said.

“We probably haven’t had the players there to be successful. We’re rebuilding again.

“He has probably been a little bit unlucky with the players he has been given but I think he has done a terrific job with what he had to work with.”

Bock notified the playing group of his decision to resign via email.

The list was overhauled at the end of 2016 and Boston expected the same to happen again under a new coach. Boston, 23, said it was necessary but meant the Sharks would have to be content with not having success in the short term as the new playing group formed a bond

“Last year we had a massive clean-out and we are probably going to do the same this year,” Boston said.

“Once the new coach and new players come in it’s pretty much starting fresh.

“It will be interesting to see who they bring in and what players they get.”

The former Gold Coast AFL player said Bock maintained a strong relationship with the players, particularly with Boston who shared a season with him at the Suns in 2013.

Boston is currently in talks with Southport on a new deal for 2018 and while he wants to stay at the club, the midfielder said the new coach could affect discussions.

“It probably will,” Boston said.

“I’ll see who they are talking to and getting in before I make a decision.

“I just want someone to come in who wants to play finals and has the right mindset of getting the right blokes into the club.”