‘Dusted ourselves off’: How Southport harnessed heartbreak to claim maiden QAFLW Seniors flag, Reserves premiership

Southport Sharks made a feast of the 2024 QAFLW grand finals, defeating Bond University Bull Sharks in both the Reserve and Senior clashes Sunday August 25 at People First Stadium. Full report:

Southport QAFLW reserves 2024 player Jess Maher. Picture: Highflyer Images.

Southport Sharks made a feast of the 2024 QAFLW grand finals, defeating Bond University Bull Sharks in both the Reserve and Senior clashes Sunday August 25 at People First Stadium.

Seniors: 8.6.54 to 3.1.19*

Reserves: 7.5.47 to 3.9.27

Head coach Peter Doherty said it was a whole club effort to reach the milestone, which marks Southport’s maiden QAFLW Seniors title after their Reserves took first honours in 2022.

“A lot of work and planning and commitment goes into reaching the day for starters,” Doherty said.

“For us to execute, we’re thrilled.”

Southport Sharks win the 2024 Bond University QAFLW Seniors. Credit: Queensland AFL Media and Highflyer Images

The side were seeded favourites in 2023 but were knocked out in the preliminary final by Aspley Hornets - a tale Doherty admitted hit hard.

“We were out in straight sets and no body wants that.

“We dusted ourselves off and got to work.”

The super coach said tackle pressure and full field contest in the third term caused a pivotal shift to the game’s momentum.

“It allowed us to keep ball in the front half and really deny opportunity from (Bond).

“That really did set up the victory for us.”

With a flag in-tow, Skipper Rianna Schipp said the feeling was still sinking in.

“We’ve worked so hard to get here and to finally get the win is just incredible.

“The way we went out last year made us hungrier, we didn’t want that to happen again.

“All of us were so focused on this one goal.”

She pointed to that determination as the driving force behind Southport’s stellar second half defence.

“Bond are such a strong side, we just had to bring our contested football and not let them get an inch away from us.

*How did it unfold?

The first term featured two goals at both ends, the Sharks gaining a two-point advantage through behinds.

And while the second saw action from Maddy Baldwin, Georja Davies and Alannah Welsh (Southport) and Bond’s Leah Kaslar, it was the closing half which left a mark.

Bond were unable to find the posts while Sharks continued to build with four goals at the boots of Alannah Welsh, Tayla Gregory and Dekota Baron.

Welsh closed with a game high three goals while Kaslar ended on two for Bond, accompanied by one goal from Bronte Parker.

RESERVES

A third term effort of inside 50s gifted Southport its QAFLW Reserves side a 20-point victory, completing the club’s dual premiership feat.

“(I’m) just ecstatic for the girls,” head coach Mal Smith said

“At the end of the day, we coach them to hopefully achieve the pinnacle and they have today so that’s pretty exciting and really rewarding for them.

“Bond were the team to beat and fortunately we were on the hunt.”

Southport conceded just one game through the season to the Bull Sharks in round two, before getting the better thrice since.

Smith was complimentary of their rivals though admitted he’d expected the game to be closer.

“We’ve been very lucky to win because they are a talented side and very similar to us with a lot of young players who have been learning since they were eight years old,” he said.

“I think our defence really held up in the second quarter, they could’ve done what we did in the third and blown it away.

“Once you get scoreboard pressure, you can make decisions on the back of that.”

Southport Sharks claim Bond University QAFLW Reserves premiership. Credit: AFL Queensland/ Highflyer Images

Taneille Krzyska, Chase Montey and Holly Wall were defensive standouts, alongside Best ON Ground recipient Mikayla Nurse and injury-returned star Lilly-Ann Ryder.

“I couldn’t ask for anything better.

“I thought Mikayla was (best on ground),” Smith said.

“We gave Holly Wall a specific role today and she did that fantastic, Lilly-Ann who ... only come back in the four or five weeks kicked three goals and was super up forward.

“Those girls were the highlight.”

Southport kicked the game’s opening goal before closing the half just 15-13 ahead.

It was a third quarter effort which cemented their lead, winning contested balls 38-30 with three goals and two behinds to Bond’s lone behind.

“We had the win, you could feel it here,” Smith said.

“We just had to be offensive and start winning the contested ball because their numbers were on top of us at halftime.

“About 12 minutes into the final quarter ... I felt we had them.

“That was the first time I looked at the coaching staff and said ‘’I think we’re there’.”

Originally published as ‘Dusted ourselves off’: How Southport harnessed heartbreak to claim maiden QAFLW Seniors flag, Reserves premiership