Former Shepparton, Tatura and Congupna footballer Matt Shannon will line up for Southport Sharks in Sunday’s VFL grand final against Werribee.
Photo by
Ray Sizer
Sunday’s VFL grand final is going to be a stone cold thriller, and adding to the buzz is the fact it’s steeped in several Goulburn Valley undertones.
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Southport Sharks, one of seven standalone clubs in the state’s top tier, is led by 2012 Tatura premiership coach Steve Daniel, who is seeking to oust Werribee in the decider at IKON Park.
They’re familiar waters for Daniel after he took the Sharks to the final stage in 2022 but couldn’t replicate what he’d done at the Bulldogs, beaten by 32 points at the hands of Casey.
But he won’t be the only ex-Bulldog on the Sharks’ side this Sunday.
Former Goulburn Valley League coach Steve Daniel is hoping to deliver Southport Sharks a famous VFL premiership on Sunday. Photo: Southport Sharks
Former Tatura, Shepparton and Congupna gun Matt Shannon will don Southport colours in the grand final, and after beating favourite Footscray by 10 points in the preliminary final, he is swelling with belief heading into the game which matters most.
“I think we’ve had a couple games leading into this where we’ve been potentially the underdog,” Shannon said.
“I think in the VFL now, it’s pretty professional so we knew how they (Footscray) were going to play and we thought our game style was good enough to counteract that.
“We executed and came away with the win.”
Shannon had prior stints with Carlton and Box Hill in the VFL, but after speaking with Daniel after several glowing reviews, the talented utility was sold on Southport.
He linked up with the three-time Seymour and Tatura premiership coach for the 2023 season, and this year, he’s averaged 15.3 disposals and 4.8 tackles and has chipped in with 12 goals across 21 matches.
Under Daniel, Shannon has been involved in a myriad of magnet-shuffling but has thrived with his malleability shining through in the Sharks’ system.
“I’d like to think versatility is one of my strengths so it’s been a number of roles,” Shannon said.
“I’ve played forward a little bit, through the midfield, but I’ve sort of settled now on a wing.
“It’s been good being able to get up and down the ground and help out where I can.”
Adding to the already-deafening noise building around Sunday’s grand final is the past history between Southport and Werribee.
The Tigers — featuring Strathmerton product Louis Pinnuck — trumped the Sharks by three points back in round two before Daniel’s side returned serve to win by a goal in round 19, and Shannon expects it to be just as tense at the weekend.
“We’ve played them twice already this year; they beat us once by a kick and we beat them once by a kick as well,” he said.
“My expectations are it’s going to be a fierce contest and it could go either way.
“But hopefully we can execute our game style and come away with the win.”
Closer to home, Shannon’s brother Joel has his own grand final to play.
The younger of the pair is preparing to lace up for Congupna in the Murray Football League decider, and his older sibling will have one eye on The Road as he admitted “I do keep tabs on them”.
“Unfortunately they couldn’t get it done last year but I think they’re in a prime position to get it done this year,” he said.
“They’ve got a couple of good coaches there, Benny Bingham, and I’m sure he’s got the crew around him.
“They’ve recruited really well this year so hopefully they can get the chocolates on the weekend.”
