Sharks pillars taking Southport to new heights in the 2022 VFL season
SOUTHPORT’S stacked midfield featuring some of the best on-ballers in the VFL is finally starting to get the attention of rival clubs after a terrific 6-2 start to the season.
But it might be time to talk about the oft-forgotten men who help make the magic happen in the middle of the ground – the ruckmen.
Sharks’ twin towers Brayden Crossley and Fraser Thurlow have established themselves as arguably the premiere ruck tandem in the VFL this season.
Not only has Southport not lost the hitout differential this campaign, but since Thurlow returned to the team in round four the ruck battles have not even been close.
Thurlow and Crossley have rucked together four times this season for an average of plus-32 hit-outs over that span.
The greatest beneficiaries of the Sharks’ tap dominance have been the midfield brigade, led by skipper Jacob Dawson, Boyd Woodcock and Jesse Joyce who are all enjoying stellar statistical seasons.
Maybe it’s short-sightedness that has let Crossley and Thurlow fly under the radar – they are both above 6’6 after all – or maybe rivals have realised it’s an almost unwinnable battle.
Crossley doesn’t mind so long as those that matter within the club appreciate he and his tap partner’s work.
“I think Fraser would say the same thing – as long as the mids respect it, which they absolutely do, we’re happy,” he said.
“They froth on it and always give us a pump up when we deserve it and a clip when we don’t. We have very high expectations internally because of how good we can be when we’re up and running. We know we should be winning most hit-outs.”
For his part Crossley is more than happy to talk up his ruck partner, saying what many within Southport’s four walls have felt for a long time.
“I feel he’s the best ruck in the comp. It’s been unreal to have him back (in the team),” Crossley said.
Southport hosts Brisbane in Round 9 of the season at the Austworld Centre on Saturday. First bounce at 12.05pm.