The Brisbane Lions VFL side have gone down to a strong Southport outfit by 21 points at Brighton Homes Arena this morning.
A 10-goal quarter for the Sharks blew the game open in the third term running out 19.8 (122) to 15.11 (101) winners.
A scrappy open term saw the Lions take a 10-point lead at first break booting five majors.
Two goals to club debutant Dylan Smith along with majors to Sam Marshall, Jake Fazldeen and Curtis McCarthy helped the Lions hold an early lead.
Charlie Hewitt and 2025 draftee Cody Curtain booted the Lions only two goals for the second term as Southport fought back to take a two-point, half-time lead.
Marshall toiled hard against a strong Southport midfield collecting 26 touches and eight marks to go with his two majors.
Tom Doedee made a strong return to football as did draftee Koby Evans who pulled on a Lions jumper for the first time.
Reece Torrent took back the lead for the Lions straight after half-time before the Sharks took control of the contest booting 10 of the next 11 goals.
Evans and McCarthy both slotted majors as the home trailed by 43 points at the final break.
Three majors in quick succession had the Lions roar back into the game courtesy of Tahj Abberley, McCarthy’s third and Fergus McFadyen.
Marshall’s second and a late major to Shadeau Brain kept the margin within striking distance but Southport’s one final quarter goal was enough to thwart the Lions late charge.
Brain recorded 16 touches and five marks providing spark from the back half while Charlie Offermans and Torrent worked hard all day through the middle of the ground.
The Lions now turn their attention to a Good Friday clash against Sandringham in Round 3 of the 2026 Smithy’s VFL with the first bounce from 11:05am.
Final Score
Brisbane 15.11 (101) def by Southport 19.8 (122)
Goals: McCarthy 3, Smith 2, Marshall 2, Torrent, McFadyen, Hewitt, Fazldeen, Evans, Curtain, Brain, Abberley
Best: Offermans, Brain, McCarthy, Lloyd, Torrent, Marshall
