BRILLIANT BOAKYE ‘IN PARADISE’
IT feels like paradise at the Southport Sharks right now for Kwabe Boakye.
The club’s rise to the top of the VFL ladder in its first season in the revamped competition has coincided with Boakye’s own breakout season.
The athletic half-back, who possesses good hand and foot skills and a strong leap, has been critical to the Sharks ability to reach 7-1 going into Saturday’s round 11 game against rivals Gold Coast Suns, to be played at Metricon Stadium at 11am.
“I’m feeling good. I’m finally playing some good footy and everything off the field is going well too.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else (than Southport). It feels like paradise, everything is perfect.”
Boakye, 22, spent time at the Suns, working his way through the club’s academy system and playing under current Sharks coach Stephen Daniel when he was at the helm of Gold Coast’s NEAFL outfit.
He has always been gifted but Boakye struggled to cement his place in the Sharks team in 2019, coming in and out of the side before featuring in the club’s losing grand final team that year.
He made it his mission to become a mainstay of the top 22 before Covid forced the suspension of the NEAFL in 2020, going on to help Broadbeach reach the QAFL grand final that year.
This season Boakye hasn’t missed a senior game, becoming a key cog of the Sharks defensive unit and providing the side with a strong outlet going forward.
Boakye credited his work with Sharks assistant Matthew Lappin, who has instilled Boakye with a greater footy IQ, as the reason for his progression.
“I have actually broken out this year and started to play the way I have always wanted to,” Boakye said.
“My abilities haven’t changed. I still run the same, if not faster, and I’m getting stronger in the gym.
“It’s been more about my knowledge around footy. I’m getting into the right spots which I have worked hard on.
“I’m trying to develop my footy IQ so it can match my abilities. Skinny Lappin has been major for me in that space. He has always got vision for me which is super beneficial.”
Boakye, who still dreams of being signed by an AFL club, said playing under Daniel was the perfect way to learn and find success.
“Everyone who hypes up SJ (Daniel) is right. I can’t compare him to anyone,” he said. “He builds relationships and knows how to get the best out of his players and the best thing about him is he is honest.”
Southport beat Gold Coast by 83-points in round 6 but Boakye expected a closer contest with the Suns likely to have a host of AFL-listed players and its best academy players available.