It was a stellar year for the Bull Sharks with finals appearances across all grades capped by the QFA senior side’s stunning extra-time grand final win over Coolangatta.
In many ways 2025 was the dawn of a new era for the club with a host of big-name departures and a major influx of young players joining the squad. The key now is to maintain the momentum - remain consistent and uphold the incredible culture which was built down at The Canal last season.
For our QAFLW women, the elimination final exit was a bitter blow after an otherwise strong campaign. Following some strong recruitment and a consistent preseason, the group has regathered and are ready for what 2026 brings.
Men’s coach, Kain Ford and Director of AFL and women’s coach, Andy Lovell give us the rundown on what to expect from 2026.
The preseason
Kane
“It's been a great pre-season. There's been a lot of numbers on the track, we've had about 80 players turning up to training, the real difficulty is fitting them into two sides. It’s a great problem to have because we have so much depth but it's just trying to squeeze them into two teams.
“The quality has just gone up so much compared to last season, we played two QAFL teams (Palm Beach and Surfers Paradise) in pre-season, we played well and were competitive.”
Andy
“Under the circumstances we’ve had a really successful pre-season. We’ve been impacted heavily by the rain, so we’ve had to pivot a little bit around trial games and full-ground match stimulation which has been a challenge, but the players have just stepped up.
“Sadly, we’ve lost two key players in our last trial game to injury - Chloe Smith (ACL) and Kierra Zerafa (Ankle). Apart from them, the rest of the group is fit and healthy and raring to go.”
Season Focus
Kane
“Across both sides we are going to be really strong. It's about making sure the boys don't get ahead of themselves, they just need to take a week at a time and just focus on the opposition we are playing each week.
“To win both premierships this year would be amazing. We’ve got about 35 players who could play in Seniors so it would be good to play them throughout the year.”
Andy
“Our main focus is to go further than we went last year. The elimination final against Coorparoo was a disappointing finish to the season, it felt like we were building consistency and playing a great brand of footy in the two games prior to the elimination final.
“We’ve kept most players and added Beth Pinchin and Tegan Williams who bring great experience and quality.
“We will just continue to build our games, we want to play a faster brand of footy with some more handball overlap and I think we’re capable of it.”
Competition Outlook
Kane
“Burleigh will be up there big time, they have recruited pretty well and are always strong. Coolangatta and Carrara will also be competitive.
“Every team seems to be recruiting well, because the QAFL has gotten so much stronger, so players are coming down to the QFA.”
Andy
“This season will be more competitive. There's been a number of clubs who have recruited particularly well. Morningside, Coorparoo and Aspley have all recruited strongly.
“Southport who have dominated the competition have recruited five to six former AFLW girls so that keeps them really strong again. I think Maroochydore will also benefit from the Brisbane Lions academy being so strong this year.
“Broadbeach is new to the comp, I don't know much about their list. Four of our girls have gone there and we wish them well. We are looking forward to playing them.
Players to Watch
Kane
“Our new scholarship holder, Kane Emery is one to watch. Tommy Wenzel is really good and Will Baillieu seems to be pretty impressive.
“Returning players have shown a lot of growth since last season. Key players like Nick Francis, Finlay Gray, Miles Enders, Tommy Bennet and Ned Betts have gone up another step, especially training with the Suns program as well.
“We’ve had a few players who are returning to Bond after a few seasons away – former scholarship player, Harry Ireland who has been playing with Surfers Paradise in the QAFL, Liam Viney who won our best and fairest a couple of years ago is coming back in the midfield and Axel Moore is keen on playing as well."
Andy
“Skye White has had a brilliant pre-season. She was our rising star last year and made the state team. I’m excited about what she can bring in defence.
“Millar Brosnan-Ball comes back to us from Suns Academy via Burleigh. She’s an athletic ruck/tall forward who's very fit and skilful.
“Evy Reeves through the mid field will be one to watch, she's cemented her place in the team as a half forward but she's had a great pre-season, she’s fitter than she's ever been and we have trialled her through the mid field over the summer and she's been terrific.
“From reserves there's a few girls pushing seniors. Halle Geyer- played a few senior games last year, she's trained most of the summer as a key defender, so she’ll be pushing for the senior team. Georgia Hamilton continues to press through the midfield. Maddy Furlong has been playing as a small forward.
“There’s been some young girls who have joined the squad, Skye Emery sister of Kane Emery is really fast and athletic as a wing/ half forward. Tara Trethowan who joins us from Geelong Falcons is really skilful and smart as a small defender and is capable of playing senior footy.”
Biggest challenges and how to overcome them
Kane
“Emotions really. It's hard to keep the culture strong when there are more and more men coming down to training.
“There will probably be some premiership players last year who will miss out on the senior side, and there will be some players who will miss out on footy altogether.
“The key will be managing those ups and do
wns for players and ensuring they don’t just throw in the towel if they don't get picked one week.”
Andy
“Injuries to key players, we’ve already have two of our best midfielders out with injury. It forces us to rethink what the makeup of our senior team is, but it also gives opportunities to other girls to potentially play a different position.”
Final words
Kane
“We’re just really hungry. Premierships for both grades is our hope.”
Andy
“I think the program is in great shape, the girls are really happy.
“Our best is good enough to be right at the pointy end of the season., but we need to position ourselves strongly in the first few games.”