Inspired by their fellow Bull Sharks disposing of their underdog tag to nab the QAFLW premiership, Bond's QFA men are looking to make it an historical double for the university when they square up to 2023 champions Burleigh at Cooke Murphy Oval this Sunday.
The opposition
Our opposition this week represent in every way the tag of ‘arch rivals’. In what’s been a classic rivalry for many years it’s a Grand Final that’s much anticipated between two teams very evenly matched. We respect Burleigh as a Club - they play the right way, they are well coached and are hard to beat. We know what’s in front of us and have prepared to the minute.
The challenge
The challenge against Burleigh is to limit their run and carry and their ability to get their game going. They are a team who back their skills and are willing to take risks and back their system, our pressure must be manic to shutdown their ballplayers getting first use of the footy. When we have ball in hand that’s when we are most dangerous and hurt the opposition with our elite field kicking and running power.
Shuffling the magnets
After a convincing win over Coolangatta last weekend with no injury concerns there may only be one notable change.
The focus
It’s a Grand Final, something the group has had an eye toward since we began our campaign last November. We’ve earned the right now it’s time to perform like we know we can on the most important day. To a man they know and accept their individual roles and if to a man they perform their roles we win. We have the talent but we must bring the heat in a big way to get over Burleigh. It’s one win a piece this year with them so there’s nothing between the two teams apart from moments within the game we need to win. It’s the perfect matchup.
Ones to watch
Grand Finals from 100 years past have unearthed players and teams into folklore, for us it’s about every single player doing their part when the time comes and creating our own piece of history and going back to back. Coach Ford has been outstanding in his messaging all week ensuring the players acutely understand what their individual role looks like and instilling the belief and trust he has with every single player representing the Bull Sharks this weekend. There’s enormous trust from coaches to the players and within the playing group, this group is tight they genuinely like each other and are prepared to go above and beyond for each other which is very powerful.
Final word
Its the best day of the year. We have referenced the historic win our Woman's team achieved last weekend against a formidable foe and how with unwavering belief and an uncompromising attack on the footy and the opposition puts you right in the frame to win. This group of players is special. They are outstanding young men who represent this club with class, respect and integrity with a steely determination to get better every week, it’s a truly unique footy club full of exceptional people. Our coaching staff, families, supporters and university community hand them over at 1.45pm Sunday knowing that they have given themselves every opportunity to realise the ultimate prize, go get em boys. Up the Sharkies!
-with Max Kennedy, Head of Football Operations