The mature and experienced Sharks overpowered the Lions in the first half to open a matchwinning 56-point lead, although the visitors fought out the game to keep the losing margin to 61 points at the finish.
The final score was 19.27 (141) to 12.8 (80).
They did it despite McCauley dominating the ruck against former Richmond listed player Dean Putt, staking a strong claim for a State berth against Tasmania at Fankhauser Reserve on June 12.
For the second week in a row, McCauley constantly tapped the ball to the advantage of his followers and showed plenty of footy smarts to often find space to offer a marking target.
The Lions fielded 15 listed players, plus their football administration officer and former Morningside gun Adam Spackman, and PNG international rookie Don Barry.
They needed to start brightly if they were to challenge the Sharks’ unbeaten record, but did not convert their early opportunities.
They registered a wasteful 2.6 in the opening term, while the Sharks were still able to generate 5.4, then heaped on the pressure with a seven-goal-to-two second term.
Sharks recruit Matthew Payne was in the thick of the action during the storming second quarter, roving packs beautifully to kick two good goals.
His battle with tagger Sam Sheldon was the highlight of the game, with both doing plenty of good things for their respective sides.
Little man Brad Scalzo also contributed to the Southport midfield dominance.
The star of the show was former Carlton utility Darren Pfeiffer, who played his best game for his new club.
Pfeiffer, who still harbours ambitions of finding a place on another AFL list, capped a brilliant game with four goals.
The Sharks dominated the game because they had absolute control of both wings, with the in-form David James winning possessions at will when the ball swung across to his side.
Bryce Retzlaff started well on Kurt Niklaus leading the State full-back up the ground, but was starved of opportunities as the game wore on, while Claye Beams was prominent early feeding off McCauley’s dominance.
Matt Austin worked overtime in defence and was not disgraced, while the Lions coaching staff were also happy with the output of Don Barry and Sean Yoshiura.
Aaron Cornelius was solid at full-back opposed to Cleve Hughes, who booted 5.4 but was made to work hard for every shot at goal.
While Cornelius - the Lions’ leading goalkicker for the season - was required deep in defence, Southport had the luxury of alternating Ben Caputi between centre-half-forward and centre-half-back and he did an outstanding job.
The Lions dropped from fourth to eighth on the premiership table after Broadbeach thumped the Western Magpies by 92 points, with forward Korey Fulton passing 650 career goals.
Mt Gravatt upset the NT Thunder by four points in Alice Springs with ex-Lion Shane Morrison kicking six of his team’s 12 goals, Tim Notting booted 4.3 as Labrador were overrun by Morningside by seven points at Cooke-Murphy Oval, and Daniel Dzufer and Scott Clouston kicked six goals between them in Redland’s 20.23 (143) to 11.15 (81) win over Aspley.
SCORE
Southport 5.4 12.14 13.22 19.27 (141)
Bisbane Lions 2.6 4.6 7.8 12.8 (80)
GOALS - Southport: C. Hughes 5, D. Pfeiffer 4, D. Wise 2, M. Payne 2, M.
Fowler 1, C. MacLaren 1, B. Merrett 1, B. Scalzo 1, G. Screech 1, D. James 1. Lions: T. Collier 3, B. Retzlaff 2, B. McCauley 2, L. Edwards 1, C. Beams 1, D. Barry 1, B. McCulloch 1, S. Sheldon 1.
BEST - Southport: D. Pfeiffer, D. James, B. Scalzo, K. Niklaus, B. Caputi. Lions: B. McCauley, S. Sheldon, D. Barry, B. Retzlaff, M. Austin, S. Yoshiura.
