The Bond Bull Sharks’ Sapphire and Ruby Series netball teams host Ipswich Jets at Nissan Arena on Sunday in two exciting match ups.
Centre pass for the Sapphire game is at 6.00pm at Nissan Arena.
Bond’s Ruby team lines up against the Jets at the same venue. Their game starts at 4.00pm.
Entry is free to both games.
SAPPHIRE
Who they’re playing
The experienced Jets have two wins from two starts.
The Jets will be the third genuine title contender faced by Bond in as many weeks.
Where it could be won
Bond went toe-to-toe with Sapphire Series favourites Gold Coast Titans for all but the first half of the first quarter last week.
When the Bull Sharks surged in the final term, they were only one or two defensive turnovers away from giving their crosstown rivals a late fright.
Bond isn’t far off the mark. A complete four-quarter effort will bring a win soon enough.
Bull Sharks' coach Rebecca Stower described last week's very physical local derby as an eye-opener.
She put the loss down to a slow start.
“We are happy with what we are putting out on the court, it now just needs to be consistent for the full 60 minutes.
“That’s the aim for this weekend’s game against the Jets.”
Ones to watch
Kaylin van Greunen was outstanding against Gold Coast Titans with 35 goals, three offensive rebounds and an assist.
Also, keep an eye on hard-working defender Maddie Ryan. It was her job last weekend to quiet the influence of the Titans’ New Zealand and Samoan international superstar GS Cathrine Tuivaiti.
Ryan relished the chance with a crafty, fighting effort that saw her earn several well-scrapped turnovers. To split the honours with a player of Tuivaiti’s class and size was genuinely impressive.
RUBY
Who they’re playing
Ipswich Jets arrive at Round 3 undefeated after two comfortable wins.
Where it could be won
Bond’s Ruby team was outstanding in a gritty victory over a well-credentialed Titans side last weekend. The Bull Sharks defensive rotation was bulletproof, and the team’s ability to transition from defence to attack cleanly and precisely under pressure was a hallmark.
They’ll enter Sunday’s game believing if they bring their best effort, they’ll be tough to topple.
Ones to watch
Bond’s Ruby defence is looking so, so solid. If you want proof, look no further than GD/GK Harriet Nicholson’s game last weekend. She was brilliant against the Titans with eight rebounds, five intercepts, five deflections and a pickup.
Look out for Centre Lily Phillips, too. She’s been an absolute soldier for the Bull Sharks thus far. Quick, clever, and tough as nails, expect the Ruby’s midcourt general to again lead the charge against Ipswich.
Venue
Nissan Arena
590 Mains Road, Nathan (Brisbane)
Game times
Ruby
Bond University Bull Sharks v Ipswich Jets
4.00pm
Sapphire
Bond University Bull Sharks v Ipswich Jets
6.00pm