No footy, no worries as Sharks eye rapid-fire deal for coach

The 2020 NEAFL season won’t be played and it’s future is uncertain but the Southport Sharks have made a key decision about the man who has taken the club to two grand finals. SUBSCRIBE TO READ MORE

SOUTHPORT Sharks hierarchy have declared their intent to re-sign senior coach Stephen Daniel beyond 2020 despite not knowing what competition they will be competing in.

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Southport Sharks coach Stephen Daniel celebrates the 2018 flag with captains Andrew Boston and Seb Tape Picture: Jerad Williams

Daniel’s current deal with Southport ends in October and the respected football mentor was in discussions about a new two-year contract that would keep him at the club until the end of 2022.

But with COVID-19 forcing a halt to the NEAFL season and the AFL announcing the league wouldn’t be played in 2020, it put uncertainty around the futures of both coaches and players.

The future of the NEAFL still remains unclear, with the AFL reviewing second-tier football across Australia.

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A NEAFL practice game from March between Southport Sharks and Redland at Fankhauser Reserve..(Photo Steve Holland)

There has been talk of a new Eastern Football League that runs across the east coast of the country, a competition just for AFL clubs, and a revised Victorian Football League that could include interstate teams.

Southport have always maintained their desire to play in the highest competition possible and do not want to return to the QAFL.

Either way, Southport football manager Jarrod Field said they want to keep Daniel.

“He has been here for two years and we have been to the grand final both times so we absolutely want to keep him on board,” Field said.

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