Southport Sharks in battle for top two NEAFL finish after loss to Sydney University

SOUTHPORT Sharks football manager Jarrod Field says the club’s destiny remains in their own hands as they battle for a top two finish in the NEAFL.

Southport midfielder Andrew Boston playing against Sydney University in Round 16 of the NEAFL at Fankhauser Reserve. Picture credit: TJ Yelds, NEAFL.

SOUTHPORT Sharks football manager Jarrod Field says the club’s destiny remains in their own hands as they battle for a top two finish in the NEAFL.

Four teams are now within a win of leaders Canberra following Southport’s 11.13 (79) to 9.11 (65) loss Sydney University at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday.

The Sharks bounced back following a disappointing effort the week earlier against Aspley but despite leading at each break, Southport conceded 28-points in the final quarter to fall short of what would have been a critical win.

A victory would have lifted the club back to first but the Sharks now hold third on percentage behind Canberra and Sydney and with the trio all having byes this week, Southport could shift to fourth if Sydney University have a win.

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Southport will return after the bye to play Canberra, Aspley, Northern Territory and Darwin.

“We have a solid month of footy and our destiny is in our own hands,” Field said.

“If we can win enough games out of the last four we are still a chance to finish top two otherwise we well limp in.”

Field said he was proud of the team’s performance despite his disappointment at the result.

“It was disappointing but we were competitive,” Field said.

“It was a finals-like game. The intensity was right up and we were pretty good.

“We had a crack but we just didn’t execute that well. They bounced back from last week’s defeat and certainly didn’t show any signs of complacency.”

Meanwhile, the Gold Coast Suns have moved into sixth following their third straight win.

Southport midfielder Andrew Boston playing against Sydney University in Round 16 of the NEAFL at Fankhauser Reserve. Picture credit: TJ Yelds, NEAFL.

Gold Coast fielded nine listed players after the late withdrawals of Pearce Hanley and Ben Ainsworth to illness for their 11.10 (76) to 8.5 (53) win over a Sydney team with 11 AFL listed at the SCG on Saturday.

“The boys played really well,” Suns coach Nick Malceski said.

“It was a real scrap and it was hard to score. The key going into the game was the Swans are a big contested ball team and that’s an area we needed to match them so we could really test them on the outside.

“We won the contested footy by 35 and that was really pleasing and we were able to get a bit of uncontested ball which is nice.

Southport Sharks player Rhys Clark in action against Sydney University in Round 16 of the NEAFL at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday, July 21. Picture credit: TJ Yelds, NEAFL.

“The last couple of weeks we have tried to grow on that to give us an opportunity when we have ball in hand and it was much better.”

Michael Barlow (50 disposals, seven tackles), Brayden Fiorini (42 disposals, two goals, 13 tackles) and Jacob Dawson (42 disposals) were among the best while key defender Jack Leslie was a pillar down back.

Matt Rosa (34 disposals) and Jack Bowes (16 disposals) made successful returns from hamstring and quad injuries respectively.”

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