An incredible third-quarter surge from the Sharks saw Southport register a 41-point win over the GIANTS at Fankhauser Reserve in the VFL on Saturday.
The GIANTS trailed by just six points at the main break before the Shark made the most of a strong breeze with a whopping 11-goal-to-one third quarter to race out to a commanding 69-point lead at the final change.
While the GIANTS fought back, kicking five of the seven majors in the final quarter, it was too little too late as the Sharks’ surging third term saw them run out 17.12 (114) to 9.19 (73) winners at home.
The GIANTS now sit in 10th spot on an incredibly tight VFL ladder ahead of two crucial final games against the Suns and the Devils to round out their home and away campaign.
If they’re to finish inside the top 10 the GIANTS will likely need to win one, if not both, of their final two games, starting with Sunday’s clash with the Suns in Blacktown.
The GIANTS were well served by a combination of AFL and VFL-listed talent despite Saturday’s loss, with the returning Jake Riccardi and Toby McMullin both strong as they press for AFL selection.
His first game in over two months after recovering from ankle surgery, Riccardi combined his time playing both up forward and in the ruck to finish with 15 disposals, six marks, and 1.2 in a positive return.
Meanwhile McMullin finished with 23 disposals, six tackles, and four clearances as he aims to get back into the senior side.
Hugo Birks (12 disposals, five marks, four goals) was a shining light up forward despite the loss, with the young key forward a constant presence ahead of the ball, while youngster Finn Davis (22 disposals, eight intercepts, four marks) continued his development down back.
Harvey Hooper (20 disposals, three clearances, one goal) was his typical classy self, while Mitch Szybkowski (19 disposals, 12 inside 50s, four tackles, seven clearances) backed up last week’s starring game week with another solid performance.
Tom Hitchens (22 disposals, six marks, seven intercepts, four clearances) also contributed strongly, as did Kye Pfrengle (19 disposals, nine intercepts, seven marks) and Oskar Taylor (18 disposals).
Exciting AFL youngsters Ollie Hannaford (17 disposals) and Cody Angove (15 disposals, one goal) had strong moments and certainly displayed some of their traits as they push for AFL selection, while Riley Dillon (14 disposals, seven marks) was strong in defence, particularly in the first half where he helped nullify countless Sharks opportunities.
Skipper Ryan Hebron (13 disposals, three tackles, one goal) was also a welcome return from his elbow injury.
Saturday’s contest with Southport was certainly one dictated by a strong breeze, with the Sharks kicking with the wind first to help take a 14-point lead into the first break.
The Sharks were the first to hit the scoreboard after a controversial free kick for a deliberate rushed behind against Dillon gifted the home side a major from the goal square inside the first minute of action.
With the wind at their backs, the Sharks smelt blood in the water early as they dominated possession and territory but failed to make the most of it on the scoreboard.
Despite leading the inside 50 count 8 -2 after 12 minutes, the Sharks could only muster 1.5 (11) to the GIANTS’ 0.1 (1) as they wasted numerous opportunities with the breeze.
The home side was finally able to get some reward for their effort through a nice running goal from Thomas Berry midway through the opening term before a beautiful crumbing goal from Sam McMeeken gave the GIANTS their first major of the day.
The Sharks added a third to round out the opening quarter to extend the lead to 14 at the first break.
The conditions continued to play a major role in the contest in the second term where the GIANTS used the breeze well to kick the opening two majors through a strong mark and goal from Birks and a classy snap from Angove.
After the Sharks responded via Noah Casalini, the ball continued to camp out in the GIANTS’ forward half but they were unable to make the most of their dominance as they kicked seven straight behinds to level the scores at a wasteful 3.13 (31) to 4. 7 (31) late in the second term.
Their inaccurate 2.9 second quarter came back to bite the GIANTS on the shadows of half time when Matt McGuinness marked and goaled late in the term to give the Sharks a six-point lead at the main break.
The next 30 minutes was one to forget for the GIANTS as the Sharks turned everything into gold with a remarkable 11-goal term, with Riccardi kicking his side’s only goal of the quarter.
The red-hot third term saw the Sharks kick 9.0 with their first nine shots on goal en route to an 11.4 term to turn their six-point game into a match-winning lead at the final break.
Fighting it out til the end, the GIANTS responded in the final term as Hebron nailed a superb long-range bomb before Birks went berserk with multiple big grabs and three goals inside a brilliant seven-minute passage.
Harvey Hooper added his side’s fifth for the final term as the GIANTS refused to surrender despite a tough loss on the road.
The GIANTS now turn their attention to Sunday’s big clash with the Suns in Blacktown.
VFL ROUND 19
Sharks 3.6 5.7 16.11 17.12 (114)
GIANTS 1.4 3.13 4.14 9.19 (73)
GOALKICKERS
Sharks: Josh Gore 3, Noah Casalini 3, Bailey Rawson 2, Zac Foot 2, Darby Breeden 2, Charlie Rowe, Max Pescud, Matt McGuinness, Thomas Berry, Taine Dawson
GIANTS: Hugo Birks 4, Jake Riccardi, Sam McMeeken, Harvey Hooper, Cody Angove, Ryan Hebron
