Second-placed Southport closed in on NEAFL leaders Sydney University with a 110-point win at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday.
The hosts landed 18 goals while restricting the Students to a solo major in one of the biggest wins in the eight-year-old NEAFL competition.
Mitchell Johnson kicked five for the day, while Joshua Hall and Noa Corbett each landed three goals in the 123-13 win.
After suffering back-to-back losses, Sydney University still head the NEAFL ladder on 28 points, with Southport (24), Brisbane (20), Sydney Swans (20), Canberra (20) and Aspley (20) making up the top six.
Sydney University will be hoping to return to the winner’s list when they take on Aspley at Blacktown International Sportsground next Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Sydney Premier League competition had a bye round on Saturday. Fourth-placed Sydney University will meet sixth-placed East Coast Eagles in a Round 10 fixture at Kanebridge Oval this Saturday.
Scoreboard
NEAFL Round 9
Southport 18.15: 123 (Mitchell Johnson 5, Joshua Hall 3, Noa Corbett 3, Wade Hancock, Matt Doran, Dylan Fyfe, Robert Clements, Jed Turner, Kai Sheers, Jack O’Shea) defeated Sydney University 1.7: 13 (Jacob Derickx) at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday.
Best players
Southport: Robert Clements, Ethan Reeves, Josh Clayton, Rhys Clark, Daniel Charlesworth, Andrew Boston.
Sydney University: Craig Bird, Ryan Hebron, Darcy Baron-Hay, Sam Barkley, Jake Bartholomaeus, Lachlan Hayres.