A host of Bull Sharks will put aside their premiership rivalries when they join forces with the QAFLW’s best in a Queensland side to take on Tasmania in their annual representative fixture.
Arianna Clarke, Imogen Evans, Jasmyn Davidson, Tahlia Meyer and Ella Calleja will pull on Queensland’s maroon strip and attempt to repeat the dose handed to the girls from the Apple Isle last year.
Davidson is the only member of the group that took part in Queensland’s 8.7 (55) to 5.6 (36) victory in Hobart.
But Clarke, who returned to the Bull Sharks after a few years away from football, is no stranger to State footy having captained the Queensland Under 18s side in 2017.
It will be a true home ground advantage for the Bond University teammates with The Canal to host the representative round that also features a men’s state game and South Queensland v North Queensland clashes in men’s and women’s.
Bond University Director of AFL Andy Lovell is a proud Tasmanian who has represented his state on many occasions. However, he has vowed to be among the crowd barracking for the Maroons on Saturday.
“I am ecstatic as coach to have five of our girls represent Queensland,” he said.
“They are all “heart and soul Bull Sharks” and extremely well respected and popular within the playing group.
“It is just reward for all the hard work they have put in and we feel they represent strongly the entire Bond women’s squad and the passion and professionalism that all the girls display on a daily basis.”
“We are extremely proud of the football program that exists here at Bond. Many years of hard work and dedication from many people, including those who have gone before us now, has gone into ensuring that Bond’s QAFLW AFL program is the most successful in the nation.”
Lovell said former AFLW players Clarke, Meyer and Evans were tailor made for representative football while Davidson had shown her capabilities in last year’s fixture.
He was thrilled Calleja had been selected to join the ranks of the Bull Sharks’ Queensland players and predicted she would make her presence felt.
“Ari is a very skilful player who kicks the ball left and right foot equally as well, she is an incredibly smart player who knows where the goals are,” he said.
“Imogen is a hard working skilful inside mid who’s stoppage clearance craft is elite, she can also be damaging on the outside in space if allowed to use her kicking ability.
“And Jasmyn is a versatile and athletic tall defender who can pinch hit in the ruck with her elite running power.
“And I think Ella can really make an impact, she’s a wonderful overhead mark and elite kick to advantage as well a goal kicking sharp shooter.
“She also has that versatility to play as an inside midfielder.”