The Bull Sharks have fallen short of back-to-back QFA South Division 2 premierships against an impressive Burleigh Bombers side, but Bond’s second-stringers dominated the competition favourite to win the Reserves flag.
In the Seniors, Bond went toe-to-toe with the Bombers for the best part of three quarters and remained within striking distance at the final change, but Burleigh – the minor premier - made the most of a strengthening breeze to pull away to win 11.8 (74) to 7.4 (46).
It was a bittersweet end to an otherwise promising 2026 campaign for the Bull Sharks top-liners, whose impressive season had garnered plenty of interest across the year – as evidenced by the significant Bond University student crowd that assembled in the Cooke-Murphy Oval outer on a sun-soaked Grand Final day.
Although the Seniors fell short, there was still plenty for the ‘Blue and Gold Army’ to celebrate with Bond’s Reserves running rampant earlier in the day.
The Bull Sharks Ressies kicked two early goals into the breeze and were never really challenged on their way to a comprehensive 50-point win.
But the Senior men wouldn’t be so fortunate.
Although Bond had the benefit of the breeze in the first term, it was the Bombers who made the quicker start, locking the ball inside its forward half through the opening stages before finding the game’s first goal through Ethan Dawson.
Still, Bond did well to absorb Burleigh’s intense early contest work before Bachelor of Laws student Nick Francis created an opportunity for veteran Matthew Smith who converted to get the Bull Sharks on the board.
Bond alumnus Mitchell Dell followed with a goal of his own a few moments later to give Bond the lead, but the Bombers answered with two goals to take a seven-point advantage into the first break.
Both two sides traded blows throughout a gripping second term with Burleigh successfully maintaining their seven-point buffer until Bachelor of Property student Finlay Gray – among Bond’s best all day - produced a huge tackle in the shadows of half time to turn Bond’s defence into attack. Smith slotted his third for the half and Bond hit the half time break just one point adrift.
With the breeze behind them in the third, the Bull Sharks made the perfect start with Axel Moore running into an open goal to put Bond in front, but Burleigh lifted with two goals in quick succession.
Bond needed an answer, and Moore delivered.
His second goal of the quarter dragged the Bull Sharks back into the contest and ensured the premiership remained up for grabs heading into the final term, with Burleigh leading by just eight.
But Burleigh struck first to stretch the margin, and despite plenty of intense effort, Bond continued to attack aggressively and created plenty of opportunities, but the Bombers' defence was simply too well organised.
In the end, this was a classic case of the best team against the second-best.
Burleigh was too strong all day against a worthy and tenacious adversary, but when all was said and done, the Bombers deserved their win.
After the game, Director of Football Andy Lovell said the Bull Sharks’ inability to capitalise on key moments ultimately proved costly.
“We were really competitive up until three quarter time, but we didn’t really take our chances,” Lovell said.
“We had plenty of inside 50’s, but they kept intercept marking, and we couldn’t convert in the third quarter when we needed to put scoreboard pressure on.
“In the end, we ran out of legs, and they were too strong.”
Though the loss put an end to Bond’s premiership defence, Lovell was full of praise for some of the key Bull Sharks players.
“Axel Moore through the middle was really good, I thought,” Lovell said.
“Ollie Burrows-Cheng competed really strongly through the middle and Finlay Gray down back was excellent.
“And Jack Tilley as a tall forward and a backup ruck was excellent.”
GRAND FINAL RESULTS
RESERVES
Bull Sharks 9.7 (61) def Burleigh Bombers 1.5 (11)
SENIORS
Burleigh Bombers 11.8 (74) def Bond Bull Sharks 7.4 (46)