Sydney Swans VFL side have fallen short against Southport, suffering a 10.13 (73) - 12.16 (88) defeat following a thriller final quarter.

The visitors looked dominant from the outset, but some strong forward line pressure from Marc Sheather helped Sydney back into the contest.

Back-to-back goals in a matter of minutes had the Sharks on the front foot, but Ryan Clarke and Nick Blakey applied plenty of pressure to halt the visitors momentum. Clarke (30 disposals) proved a handful in and around the contest while Blakey showed promising signs with 26 possessions.

Lewis Taylor delivered the finishing touches up front as Sydney took a healthy 16-point lead into the final term.

Southport took their game to another level in the fourth quarter, booting three unanswered goals to stun Sydney and take the lead.

Sheather found his third major of the day to give the home side some hope, but it wouldn’t be enough. The Sharks dominating with a six-goal haul in the final term to finish 88-to-73-point winners.

Despite the loss, the Swans had plenty of positives to take out of the game. Taylor, who was the AFL medi-sub in Round 11, enjoyed a strong outing with 23 disposals and three goals, while Sheather also booted 3 goals and finished with 20 disposals.

FOURTH QUARTER

Swans 10.13 (73) Sharks 12.16 (88)

FT. Southport finish fast and they record a come-from-behind win in Round 8. A gutsy effort from our boys but to no avail. 

27' Heart-stopping stuff here at Lakeside as we trail by 9. 

17' SHEATHER! A great mark and he nails the set shot to get us back into the lead! 

11' Sharks get a few in succession and they take the lead.

6' Sharks get the first of the quarter and we hold a 10-point lead.

THIRD QUARTER

Swans 9.11 (65) Sharks 6.13 (49)

HT RONKE NAILS IT ON THE SIREN!

A dominant third quarter and we take a healthy lead into the final term! 

23' Some outstanding ball movement leads to Taylor's third! 

16' Clarke again proving a handful 21 disposals while Blakey also working had with 17 respectively.

9' Taylor launches it from deep and gets his second of the afternoon. That's three in a row for the Bloods!

2' AND AGAIN! Sheather nails it for back-to-back goals within a matter of seconds. 

1' Adam Gulden continues to shine with the first goal of the second-half! 

SECOND QUARTER

Swans 4.8 (32) Sharks 4.7 (31)

HT A late goal from Hayden McLean and we're ahead at the main break! 

Clarke (17) Blakey (15) Stephens (15) finding plenty of the footy while Sheather, Taylor, Stephens, and McLean are the goal scorers.

Ben Ronke impressing on his return from injury

16' Sharks claw their way back with consecutive goals in a matter of minutes. 

8' Some brilliant work from Malachy Carruthers and Adam Gulden, and some unselfish play from Ronke, leads to a Dylan Stephens goal! 

5' Swans take advantage of a turnover and Lewis Taylor strikes!

FIRST QUARTER

Swans 1.3 (9) Sharks 1.2 (8)

1/4 A last-gasp behind from Ben Ronke has the Swans leading by one at the end of the first term.

Brand (9) Ryan Clarke (9) and Blakey (8) with most disposals while Sheather finishes with our only goal of the contest.

26' Sheather gets us on the board! Classy kick from the pocket and we're level! 

21' Swans yet to kick a major but working hard defensively. Matt Ling with a cracking tackle to force a turnover as the Sharks threatened for another. 

14' Nick Blakey our main possession leader with five disposals while Kaiden Brand working well of five back with five touches also.

8' Marc Sheather bringing plenty of forward pressure as always.

5' Southport take an early lead.

0' We're underway at Lakeside Oval! 

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