Southport Sharks defeat Gold Coast Suns to make VFL grand final

The Southport Sharks have made history as the first Queensland team to make a VFL grand final. Here’s how they did it.

The Southport Sharks have made history as the first Queensland team to make a VFL grand final after defeating the Gold Coast Suns 14.25 (109) – 13.8 (81) in the preliminary final on Sunday.

Thousands of spectators filled Fankhauser Reserve in Southport to see which team would take on the Casey Demons in Melbourne on September 18.

Southport centre Boyd Woodcock was instrumental for the Sharks with 36 disposals, four tackles and a behind, and said it would be “pretty special” to go all the way to a premiership.

“I know it means a lot to Southport and I guess it’s our first opportunity to play VFL finals,” Woodcock said.

“We’ve made it to the grand final and it would be awesome if we could go all the way.”

The Suns began strong with a 20-8 first quarter, and held onto control until the final minutes of the second term where the Sharks booted four behinds and two goals without an answer from the Suns.

Just as they did in the first quarter, the Suns regained momentum and secured a six-point lead heading into the final term.

But it was the Sharks who fought back hardest with a key goal from Daniel Charlesworth in the 22nd minute of the fourth term set up the momentum to win.

Sam Flanders of the Suns finished with 42 disposals. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“It was good to get on the end of some hard work, from Brayden Crossley who’s been tremendous all year, he put up a massive fight against Ned Moyle who’s obviously a great ruck man as well,” Boyd said.

“Working alongside Jesse Joyce and Jacob Dawson … it’s great to just be able to play my role.”

For the Suns, Sam Flanders dominated with 42 disposals and seven tackles while Chris Burgess booted four goals.

Sharks run out during the VFL Preliminary Final match between the Southport Sharks and the Gold Coast Suns at Fankhauser Reserve on September 11, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

This will be the first year a Queensland team have made it to a VFL grand final since their addition to the league in 2021, where finals were cancelled due to Covid.

“It was a really good day for Gold Coast footy a a whole,” Woodcock said.

“It’s just really rewarding, we’ve been the second best team all year besides Casey, now we get the opportunity to beat them in the grand final.

“They’re (Casey) obviously a really good side, they’ve been good all year, you only need to beat them once though and hopefully we can do that next week.”