Trailing the AFLQ Velocity Sports Cup heavyweights by 17 points at the 25-minute mark of the last quarter at Fankhauser Reserve, the Lions surged to a 12.13 (85) apiece draw.
Southport kicked the first two goals of the match through Dane Carmody, before Suncoast responded with the next two by Robert Copeland.
The home side opened a nine-point break at quarter-time and maintained that to the main interval, and were 15 points up at the final change.
They led by as much as 21 points during the final term, before being hit by the Lions’ surge.
Copeland hurt his troublesome ankle early in the third quarter and did not return until the last, kicking two more goals, including the one that got the Lions to within five points.
The Sharks took the ball forward from the ensuing bounce and Carmody took a set shot from deep in the pocket but missed.
Lions full-back Scott Clouston then launched a huge torpedo that almost landed in the centre circle, with Lachlan Henderson knocking the ball into the path of an unchecked Albert Proud, who ran down the ground and goalled with 20 seconds remaining.
It was fitting that Proud should kick the tying goal because he worked tremendously hard all day, shaking the tag of a very good player in Daniel Wise in the process.
Southport were best served by wingmen David James and Daniel Hawkins, who consistently won the football day, Hawkins sweeping off half-back.
The Sharks’ defensive unit was also outstanding, with Clint Watts, Kapun Morris, Kurt Niklaus, Ben Caputi and Kevin Tandogac winning their positions.
Aside from Proud, the Lions had a great contributor in James Hawksley, who not only collected plenty of ball but took the mark of the year with a spectacular leap during the third quarter.
Joel Tippett also showed plenty against his old club, providing a reasonable target in the forward line with Matthew Leuenberger doing the majority of the ruckwork until leaving the field at three-quarter-time.
Midfielder Chris Schmidt worked particularly hard and was a strong contributor despite the close attention of Adam Devine.
James Polkinghorne did some eye-catching things and his two goals were both gems.
Haydn Kiel also did some nice things against his old side.
It was a classic hard running affair with good skills in the tricky cross-wind and was Southport’s best performance of the year, despite coming away with just half the premiership points.
Suncoast dropped out of the top four by half a game, but are also just one win out of second place.
They face another challenging contest against Morningside at Coorparoo next Saturday.
Scores:
Southport: 4.2, 6.5, 10.9, 12.13 (85)
Suncoast Lions: 2.5, 4.8, 7.12, 12.13 (85)
Goals: Southport: B McEntee 5, D O'Brien 2, D Carmody 2, F Pope, B Sinclair, S Brittain. Suncoast Lions: R Copeland 4, A Proud 2, J Tippett 2, J Polkinghorne 2, M Austin, L Henderson 1
Best: Southport: D Hawkins, D O'Brien, K Morris, D James, D Carmody, J Burge. Suncoast Lions: A Proud, J Hawksley, J Tippett, C Schmidt, R Copeland, H Kiel
