Skip to main content
Start of main content.

Bond AFL running to MCG without leaving Queensland

Their competition is on hold but Bond University AFL players are on a dream run to the MCG.

In a bid to stay fit and motivated, the 40 members of the squad have set out to run a combined 1697km – the distance from the university to the spiritual home of their sport in Melbourne.

Bull Sharks AFL coach Sam Whish-Wilson said the run was the idea of captain Steve Mahoney.

“It was Mahoney’s idea to give us a purpose and more motivation with our fitness," Whish-Wilson said.

“On average each person has to run a marathon, it’s about 42km.”

The Bull Sharks players were looking to defend their 2019 premiership before COVID-19 postponed the 2020 season.

Now they are staying sharp and healthy during the enforced break.

Split into four groups, the players wear smart devices and count their running kilometres on fitness apps.

The run started on April 10 from the Canal – Bond’s home ground – and the players are well ahead of schedule to finish the distance inside three weeks.

“The goal posts have literally shifted,” Whish-Wilson said.

“We were successful in the competition last year and were really motivated to go back to back and prove it wasn’t a fluke.

“Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much.

“Each player has their own motivation, but we are really doing it for Nan and Pop, doing it for those who give us so much and have always been our biggest supporters.”

More from Bond

  • Khawaja puts Stern defence of cricket formula to the test

    Cricket star Usman Khawaja's MBA mind challenges Professor Steven Stern's defence of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

    Read article
  • A construction degree for the digital age

    Bachelor of Design in Architecture alumnus Ryan McKillop explains why Bond's Master of Building Information Modelling and Integrated Project Delivery was the clear next step to accelerate his career.

    Read article
  • No lab, no problem: Virtual Scientist takes experiments to remote students

    Three Bond University academics have received another accolade for creating an interactive website where students conduct virtual experiments.

    Read article
  • Let the buyer beware of auction loopholes

    Homebuyers can be caught out by a little-known auction loophole. Property expert Professor Alan Patching shares his tips.

    Read article
  • To the uni student who feels like something is missing…

    Starting university is an exciting time, but for Charlotte Gibbs, her first experience at a big uni interstate just didn't feel 'right'. After visiting Bond and the Gold Coast, though, things immediately clicked into place.

    Read article
Previous Next