Sharks surge to back-to-back QAFLW flags
SOUTHPORT Sharks have gone back-to-back in the QAFL Women’s, capping off their near-perfect season with a 79-point victory over the Morningside Panthers at Brighton Homes Arena. The Sharks dropped just one game during the regular season before steamrolling Morningside by the same margin in the first semi-final to book a spot in the QAFLW Grand Final a fortnight later.
The game played out similarly to the semi-final, with Southport establishing a lead early and denying their opposition scoring opportunities throughout. After a scoreless first term, the Panthers scored the first two goals of the second term before Southport steadied. The Sharks piled on 13 of the next 14 goals of the game to tally the highest score in a QAFLW Grand Final history.
Suns Academy star Sunny Lappin was named best on ground for her 30 disposals and two-goal game. The daughter of Southport coach and former Carlton midfielder, Matthew, tirelessly sped up and down the ground for the game’s duration, supplying seemingly endless run for her side.
Powerful midfielder Kierra Zerafa provided essential support for Lappin on the ball, racking up 25 disposals. Zerafa also hit the scoreboard, scoring three goals, the equal most on the ground.
Joining her on three goals was high-flying key forward Dekota Baron, who was perfect in front of the goal, and Tearnie Brown, who kicked all three of her goals within a blistering six-minute period in the third quarter.
Sisters Laura (19 disposals and two marks) and Gracie Roy (19 disposals, five marks) provided ample defensive resistance for the Panthers, and bottom-ager Zoe Petrides (13 disposals, five marks) showed glimpses of her quality despite being starved of opportunities.
It was important for Southport to cash in on their trove of underage talent, as they will likely farewell a number of Gold Coast Suns NGA prospects, including Lappin and star ruck Georja Davies, who are eligible for the upcoming AFLW draft.
SOUTHPORT 2.4 | 7.6 | 13.7 | 15.9 (99)
MORNINGSIDE 0.0 | 2.1 | 3.1 | 3.2 (20)
GOALS:
Southport Sharks: D. Baron 3, K. Zerafa 3, T. Brown 3, S. O’Brien 2, S. Lappin 2, C. Miller, M. Fogas
Morningside Panthers: K. Lawrence, L. Bellinger, H. McIlwain
BEST:
Southport Sharks: S. Lappin, K. Zerafa, D. Baron, M. Fogas, T. Crabtree, M. Nurse
Morningside Panthers: L. Roy, G. Roy, I. Levine, A. Peacock. Z. Petrides
Sharks surge to back-to-back QAFLW flags
SOUTHPORT Sharks have gone back-to-back in the QAFL Women’s, capping off their near-perfect season with a 79-point victory over the Morningside Panthers at Brighton Homes Arena. The Sharks dropped just one game during the regular season before steamrolling Morningside by the same margin in the first semi-final to book a spot in the QAFLW Grand […]
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