Sharks depth put to the test

SOUTHPORT face their biggest test of the NEAFL season this afternoon when they take on the undefeated Brisbane Lions in a top of the table clash but Sharks coach Stephen Daniel fears his side will struggle with a number of players expected to miss the game.

The Sharks’ second leading goal scorer Josh Hall is getting married and will miss the game while Ryan Davis, Tyler Roos (both unavailable), Matt Shaw, Rhys Clark, Jack Mentha, Josh Williams and Tom Miller have also been ruled out with injury.

“We’re not going to be anywhere near full strength,” Daniel said. “We’ve said it all year and I keep saying it to the boys that we find a way to win even when we don’t have our best side on the park.”

When asked whether Southport had resigned to losing the first meeting of the sides this season, Daniels admitted the Lions would be a hard task though the Sharks hadn’t given up hope of inflicting Brisbane’s first loss of 2019.

“Brisbane are the best side in the NEAFL at the moment by a country mile,” he said.

“We go into every game wanting to win but due to circumstances outside of our control, we’re not going to have our best side out on the park.”

Despite surviving a late scare against the Canberra Demons last week to emerge nine-point winners, Daniels said the Sharks’ premiership defence is going swimmingly.

At the end of Round 17 last year, Southport sat third on the ladder with a 9-5 record but now find themselves second at 11-4.

“When you compare where we’re sitting now as opposed to where we were sitting this time last year, we’re ahead,” Daniels said. “We’ve obviously got a very tough game but we’re pleased with where we’re at.”

Today’s top-of-the-table clash begins at 1.30pm at Fankhauser Reserve. Gold Coast Suns’ NEAFL side have a bye.