Southport Sharks NEAFL mid-season report card

The Southport Sharks came into 2019 as the hunted after winning the NEAFL premiership last year. But despite the added pressure they have held strong so far. The Bulletin sat down with Daniel to discuss the season and deliver the Sharks mid-season report card.

THE Southport Sharks are the reigning NEAFL premiers following an incredible transformation in 2018 under coach Stephen Daniel. They came into 2019 as the hunted but despite the added pressure have held strong so far. The Bulletin sat down with Daniel to discuss the season so far and deliver the Sharks mid-season report card.

Ladder position: Second

Results: 8 wins, 2 losses, 2 byes

Percentage: 120.37 %

Rating: A-

“We have been pretty happy with where we are at. We have lost to two AFL clubs and our first five or six games were tough. To beat Aspley in Round 2 at Aspley, where we haven’t won in seven years, to then travel to Canberra and beat them at Phillip Oval on the back of a really poor preparation due to our flight being delayed, was great. The boys didn’t get to bed until around 2am in the morning and had to front up and play at midday.

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“We had two challenges there then we had to play Sydney Uni at Blacktown Sportspark where we have never won before then we had NT Thunder at home in Round 6 before we had to play GWS away. We had a tough number of games away early in the season and we were able to get through it. So to be 8-2 going into the bye last week made us really happy to be sitting where we are. We are four games clear when you put the non-AFL ladder up with Aspley (5-5) out closest.”

Southport Sharks player Michael Manteit celebrates kicking a goal against Redland in Round 1 of the 2019 NEAFL season at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday, April 6. Picture credit: TJ Yelds, NEAFL.

Highlight: Round 1 16.14 (110) to 7.6 (48) win over Redland at Fankhauser Reserve.

“It’s always tough to win Round 1, especially coming off a premiership season. You want to make sure you are ready to go and can win that opening game. That was important to us and we ticked that box. The next one was going to Aspley in Round 2 and winning there after seven years.”

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Lowlight: Round 11 12.6 (78) to 9.9 (63) loss to Gold Coast at Fankhauser Reserve.

“Our game against the Gold Coast Suns just before the bye was our lowlight. We were very poor. We were poor in our preparation, our mindset was poor and therefore we got a poor result.”

Round 11 NEAFL game between the Southport Sharks and Gold Coast Suns at Fankhauser Reserve. Photo of Ashton Crossley (Suns) and Andrew Boston. Photo by Richard Gosling

Star: “It was Matt Shaw until he got injured but I’d have to say Tyler Roos now. He is averaging 31 possessions per game. He is coming third in the MVP voting. Moving from the backline last year to the midfield this season has enabled him to really flourish.

Grand final of the NEAFL between the Southport Sharks and the Sydney Swans at Fankhauser Reserve, Southport, on Sunday. Southport Sharks player Tyler Roos. Picture: Jerad Williams

Backbone: The man that keeps us all together has got to be our ruckman, Jed Turner. His leadership and voice matches his frame.

Jed Turner scores for the Sharks. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Run home:

Round 13: v NT Thunder (Fankhauser Reserve)

Round 14: v Aspley (Fankhauser Reserve)

Round 15: v Sydney (Blacktown International Sportspark)

Round 16: v Redland (Scottsdale Park)

Round 17: v Canberra (Phillip Oval)

Round 18: v Brisbane (Fankhauser Reserve)

Round 19: bye

Round 20: v NT Thunder (TIO Stadium)

Round 21: v Sydney University (Fankhauser Reserve)