Southport have a fine tradition of success but not even their most confident supporters would have predicted their quality start to 2010.
Tuesday 15 June 2010
Southport have a fine tradition of success but not even their most confident supporters would have predicted the quality of football the rebuilt Sharks would produce over the first nine weeks of the 2010 QAFL season.
The Sharks notched an 8-1 record and go into Saturday’s clash with the Brisbane Lions Reserves at Giffin Park, Coorparoo looking to ensure they maintain their one-game lead at the top of the table.
“The record books tell us that we haven’t been good start but that we’re better finishers,” said coach Craig Crowley.
Crowley lost 12 first-choice players from last year’s preliminary final side and even he expected that it would take some time for his new combination to gel.
But they hitting the ground running with some quality football from Round 1.
“To be 7-0 was really good and I’ve course I would have taken 8-1 if you offered it to me at the start of the year,” Crowley said.
The scary prospect for rivals is that the Sharks had 11 players out injured in the week before the State game but were still able to beat a good side in Mt Gravatt by eight goals.
In-form wingman David James, dashing back pocket David Lynch and experienced rover Dane Carmody headed the list of absentees against the Vultures.
All are expected to return this week to meet a Lions outfit that will be short on talent given the extensive injury list at the Gabba.
“It was good for them to have the week off and then the extra week for the State game,” Crowley said.
