TABLES TURN ON FIELD
Incredible rise of lowly Southport is capped with historic first place
THE Southport Sharks’ incredible turnaround has hit its highest point, with the team finishing on top of the ladder for the first time in the NEAFL.
The club that finished second-last with just four wins in 2017 now sits in the box seat to win their first premiership since 2008 following a final round 21.7 (133) to 4.11 (35) win over Redland at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday.
Southport will now get a week off before playing the winner between Brisbane and Aspley at home, where another win would ensure they play for a premiership in front of their home supporters.
“It’s been a great season,” Sharks coach Stephen Daniel said.
“There has been so much work done behind the scenes by everyone. To see the club back now to being a competitive force in the NEAFL competition is terrific.
“We are really happy and now we have to make sure we back it up going into the future.
“We have to make sure we are always up there. That’s the way we want to be.”
Southport ended the season with 12 wins and six losses to finish ahead of Sydney and Aspley.
Daniel said he went into Saturday’s game wary of a Redland side that had nothing to lose after finishing on the bottom of the ladder.
“It was a great win,” Daniel said.
“You are always a little concerned going into the last game of the year because the opposition don’t have too much to play for.
“Sometimes teams can go out without pressure and be outstanding.
“I’m always very wary of that but we were very good. We did what we had to do and we are more than happy.”
Daniel will watch the game between Aspley and the Lions this week and said the week off would ensure his players went into their next game fresh.
“The week off certainly helps,” Daniel said.
“We can monitor the boys a little bit and we’ve certainly got a number of players in our group who could do with a week off.”