The sure-handling Sharks bounced out to a 51-point lead at half-time to effectively end the game as a contest, but the Lions made them fight for every possession in the last hour.
Fielding just 11 listed players, the Lions did well to outscore the raging hot premiership favourites in the second half of the 15.15 (105) to 9.12 (66) defeat.
Southport’s win came at a cost with injuries to key running players Matty Payne (calf) and Darren O’Brien (ankle) in the opening 15 minutes of the game, although the loss of two midfield rotations did little to hamper their progress through the first half.
The first half onslaught was orchestrated by three of the stars of the State game win over Tasmania last week.
Skipper Danny Wise continued his irresistible form by dominating the clearances and winning possession at will, Darren Pfeiffer was an even four-quarter performer, and Ben Merrett provided a lively target at centre-half-forward.
Southport were extra slick with their ball movement in the opening half, while the Lions struggled for system and missed big Aaron Cornelius in front of goal, who was a late call-up for the senior team for the ill Simon Black.
Despite the odds, the Lions scrapped hard. Pearce Hanley rebounded strongly from half-back while Claye Beams and Cheynee Stiller were big possession winners.
Bryce Retzlaff provided a reliable leading option but couldn’t quite convert from a number of set shots.
At the other end, gun forward Cleve Hughes booted 5.5 in a spirited contest against Irishman Niall McKeever, who would have left satisfied that he made the big Shark win every kick.
The ball zipped around the ground at fast speed for three quarters before both teams played out time in the last.
Defenders Kurt Niklaus and Jason Bourke made life difficult for the Lions forwards, while Jesse O’Brien and Matt Austin were prominent for the home side.
The loss saw the Lions drop from fourth to sixth on the premiership table, while the win was Southport’s ninth from 10 matches.
In other games, Tim Notting booted four goals but more importantly produced a match-winning final quarter to help Labrador win just their fourth game against Morningside in their last 22 attempts at Esplen Oval on Sunday.
It gave Labrador outright second position, a game ahead of the injury-plagued Morningside.
State small forward Dayne Zorko booted 12 goals in a sparkling display in Broadbeach’s 44-point win over the Western Magpies, Robert Copeland held the defence together as Aspley won their first game under new coach Russell Evans by overrunning Redland at Graham Road, and the NT Thunder upset Mt Gravatt by 27 points at Dittmer Park.
SCOREBOARD
Southport 5.3 11.7 13.10 15.15 (105)
Lions Reserves 2.2 3.4 7.10 9.12 (66)
GOALS - Southport: C. Hughes 5, B. Scalzo 2, C. Pettersson 2, D. Pfeiffer 2, A. Devine 1, C. MacLaren 1, M. Wise 1, R. Thompson 1. Lions: R. Harwood 2, M. Austin 2, T. Flynn 1, D. Barry 1, J. Smith 1, A. Sexton 1, W. Poole 1.
BEST - Southport: D. Pfeiffer, D. Wise, J. Bourke, B. Merrett, K. Niklaus, C.Hughes. Lions: P. Hanley, J. O'Brien, C. Beams, C. Stiller, B. Retzlaff, M. Austin.
