VFL Match Report: Round 17 vs Southport
20/07/2026
We were back on home turf for what started as a chilly early morning but slowly became a perfect, sunny day for a cracker of a close game against the Southport Sharks in Round 17 of the Smithy’s VFL season.
We started off strong with Noah Yze, Darcy Chirgwin and second-gamer Ricky Theodoropoulos hitting the scoreboard early, giving us an 11-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second term, Kynan Brown laid a great tackle in the middle of the ground and provided a goal assist for Yze who kicked his second from 50 out. Back from injury, Mitch Ryan was doing what he does best - contesting the ball and making it difficult for Southport to capitalise. Max Hoult, Kynan Brown and Lachlan Voss also scored some great goals, while Chirgwin somehow, out of nowhere in a crowded contest in our forward half, snapped the ball and got an incredible goal to help keep us in the lead by six points coming into half time.
We were looking confident heading into the third term, but Southport came out strong, making it a tough contest all quarter. Theodoropoulos kicked his second early, but it wasn’t enough as the Sharks led by 20 points heading into the last quarter. Chirgwin and Nathan Philactides led the third-term disposal count.
In the fourth quarter, we came out strong with Theodoropoulos weaving his way through to get his third for the day. After a rough contest, Owen Bater was awarded a free kick and secured his first VFL major. Jhett Haeata and Jett Peckett both snapped impressive goals, and Yze kicked his third for the day to help narrow the margin. A couple of late behinds saw us round out the game with a draw. The contest in the second half was tight, but it wasn’t enough to get on top of the Sharks.
We head to Barry Plant Park on Sunday 26 July to take on Coburg at 1:05pm.
Scores
Sandringham: 3.6, 8.9, 9.11, 14.14 (98)
Southport: 2.1, 8.3, 13.7, 15.8 (98)
Disposals: Chirgwin (31), Brown (28), Philactides (26)
Goals: Yze (3), Theodoropoulos (3), Chirgwin (2), Voss, Peckett, Hoult, Haeata, Brown, Bater
Photos: Archie Edelsten and Ollie Tory
Written by Jess Holland - Sandringham FC Media