By Jordan Hughes
Rhys Sheriff was an unknown name at the start of the 2022 Queensland Premier Rugby season, but he has quickly become a fan favourite at The Canal.
The first grade front rower made the move to the Gold Coast from Sydney at the end of last year, seeking a new opportunity with the Bull Sharks.
“Dan Boardman put me in contact with head coach Grant Anderson and he pretty much sold me from our first conversation. As soon as the borders reopened, I moved up straight away, it was a pretty seamless transition,” he said.
Sherriff, who spent time with Eastwood in the Shute Shield, has been instrumental in Bond’s scrum resurgence.
“Coaches Eddie Aholelei and Jai Johnson have been really good for our scrum development. The big thing for me is about all eight of us bringing effort and having no rest points which is what I have really been driving. It has been quite pleasing to see the difference this year,” he said.
Sheriff, a larger-than-life character in the squad, has cemented his leadership skills on and off the field with the front rower starting every match so far.
“I’m loving it, the boys have been so good, really accommodating. They welcomed me with open arms and I’m enjoying knuckling down at the business end of the season,” he said.
Sheriff plays with his heart on his sleeve and the pure passion he shows, especially when he wins a penalty for his team at scrum time, can be seen all over his face.
“I don’t know why I get so angry,” he said.
“It’s just satisfying putting in 100 per cent effort and then getting the result.
"The exaggerated energy you put in for a scrum and then you get a penalty, it’s just a leg up for the team and I get really pumped for the guys, I don’t really know why I do it.”
Bond, who currently sit sixth on the ladder with just five weeks remaining before finals, have a simple mission and that is to keep alive the dream of winning the Hospital Cup.
“For Bond, we definitely want to win a comp, that is hands down the number one goal. I’m just taking it week by week and then if the opportunities present themselves we can go from there,” he said.
When Sheriff is not leading the scrum, he works as a carpenter and enjoys finding different fishing spots on the coast or enjoying a round of golf.
Catch Sheriff and the rest of the Bond Bull Sharks as they take on the Norths Eagles this Saturday at The Canal with first grade kicking off at 3:05pm.