Sharks building a new list
THE Southport Sharks have shed more than half of their playing roster in the biggest list overhaul in their history.
Reeling after their worst season since 1961 – the Sharks won only four of their 18 games in the NEAFL this year – the fallout has been severe with up to 18 players gone or going from Fankhauser Reserve.
Already four of the 2017 squad have signed with QAFL premiers Palm Beach-Currumbin – Nick Crowley, Jon Croad, Jimmy Holland and Tom Thynne. Best and fairest winner Jordan Keras is hoping to find a new home via the AFL draft while other losses include Matt Fowler and Jack Anthony. Ruckman Fraser Thurlow is heading overseas while Josh Baxter’s place with Southport is still under review.
Sharks football manager Jarrod Field, who copped plenty of flak for the 2017 performance, has opened a vigorous recruiting campaign.
“We have 18 definitely out of the list but so far we’ve recruited eight or nine and we’re targeting four or five A graders,” Field said.
“We’re in a holding pattern waiting for the draft to see who we can have a crack at.”
The Sharks have lured defender Jayden Young across from QAFL side Labrador.