While the return of Irishman Colm Begley to the playing field and the form of countryman Pearce Hanley were encouraging for the Lions, their double-chance hopes disappeared with the 15.9 (99)-13.14 (92) loss.
Southport are now two games and substantial percentage clear in second with four qualifying rounds remaining after next weekend’s general bye for the National Country Championships in Shepparton, Victoria.
While Hanley provided plenty of run for the Suncoast on Saturday, the side also received plenty of drive from rookie listed ruckman Joel Tippett, who has grown considerably in stature over the past month.
Tippett ensured his onballers received silver service from the start, but the side wasted opportunities badly in the opening term, their 1.7 contrasting sharply with Southport’s 4.1 from limited but clean forward 50 entries.
The Lions also had problems stopping three-time Ray Hughson Medallist for the league’s leading goalkicker Ben McEntee.
McEntee’s love affair with the Gabba continued in sensational fashion when the ace sharpshooter bagged eight goals, including the matchwinner.
Irrespective of his form line in the lead-up, McEntee has regularly produced the goods on the big stage at the AFL venue, and Saturday was no exception.
There was a frenetic finish to the game after the Sharks had been coasting by 37 points late in the third quarter.
Their fourth term fadeout against a quality side struck again as the Suncoast surged back to twice hit the front in the final term.
The Lions had clawed the margin back to 19 points at the final change after looking gone midway through the third term, then sent Justin Sherman one-out deep in attack in the final term.
The move worked a treat, with Sherman contributing four goals against Justin Kahlefeldt, who had done a solid job earlier in the game.
The Lions hit the front by a point late in the term, before a cross-goal kick in defence was turned over and the Sharks regained the lead.
Sherman’s fourth put his side back in front, before the Sharks missed two opportunities, but regained the lead.
McEntee then juggled a mark on the lead and kicked truly with a brilliant banana kick to put the game out of reach.
Suncoast had received good service from Scott Clouston, who got stronger as the game wore on and contributed three goals.
PNG top-up player Peter Lavi also gave the Suncoast some spark and finished with two goals.
Albert Proud was not as prolific as recent weeks under close attention from Southport tagging specialist Adam Devine, but contributed nonetheless.
Wayde Mills also tried hard against his old side.
Scoreboard:
Southport, 4.1, 8.4, 11.7, 15.9 (99)
Suncoast Lions, 1.7, 4.8, 7.12, 13.14 (92)
Goals, Sharks: B McEntee 8, D Wise, D Carmody, D O’Brien, H Kiel, F Pope, B Merrett 1. Lions: J Sherman 4, S Clouston 3, P Lavi 2, J Polkinghorne, P Garner, S Shelton, P Smith 1.
Best, Sharks: B McEntee, K Tandogac, D James, A Devine, D O'Brien, J Burge. Lions: J Tippett, J Sherman, S Clouston, W Mills, P Hanley, A Proud.
