Sharks locked and loaded for the VFL finals
SOUTHPORT is on the cusp of locking in a potential home VFL final.
The Sharks will play the Gold Coast Suns in round 16 of the season at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, where a win will guarantee the team a top four finish for the club currently holding first on the ladder with a record of 9-1.
The format of the finals hasn’t been confirmed but a top four spot is the next target while a top two finish would provide a home final.
Two wins will ensure a top two finish for the side that has already locked in a top eight finish, an incredible feat in its first VFL season.
Former Sun Mackenzie Willis has played a huge role for Southport in 2021 and been one of the side’s best defenders.
Willis, 25, said the side hadn’t spoken about the finals but wanted the advantage a home final would bring.
“It’s certainly been a different season (with Covid),” Willis said. It’s been challenging with everything that has been thrown at us but the team has taken it on well.
“We haven’t talked about finals. We know we are in a fortunate position and that if we win our next couple of games we give ourselves a chance to finish with a home final which would be a huge advantage.”
Willis has averaged 23 disposals while playing every game for Southport so far this season, mirroring the consistency of the entire squad.
“I have been consistent throughout the year,” he said.
“I was able to have what was probably a personal best performance (against Essendon) last week so I was happy with that.”
There will be one change to Southport’s backline for its clash with the Suns, with Tom Miller suffering a neck injury against the Bombers last week. Daniel Charlesworth will replace him.