The regular season comes to a close on Saturday with the Bull Sharks heading to Norths for one last hit-out before finals. Colts 1 are within reach of the minor premiership and Premier Men have secured fourth spot — but both squads know the job’s not done yet.
For Colts 1, it’s a chance to fine-tune combinations heading into the post season.
Coach Rico Gear has shuffled the magnets, using the match to test depth and scenario plan for finals. But the goal remains clear — finish strong, bank points, and carry the right mindset into the business end of the year.
Premier Men face a stern physical test against a big, in-form Norths outfit who beat them in Round 9.
Coach Mick Heenan is treating the clash as a finals dress rehearsal, demanding composure, control and physical dominance from his side.
Bull Sharks v Norths at Norths
Colts 1
Last time they met
Rd 9, 2025 at The Canal
Bull Sharks won 55-13
It was the most complete performance of the year to date. The Bull Sharks scored four tries up front, and some great tries from the backs also which came about through good cohesion. The skill level was on point, the catch-pass, running onto the ball was all very good.
The opposition
Norths have some ability, especially out wide. They don’t mind moving the ball and they play with a lot of width and that can challenge your defence. And they probably take more risks than GPS.
The focus
We need to be comfortable we have depth in key positions in case we get injuries in the finals, so we will give some players greater opportunity this week. So the team will be moved around a bit. Jackson Jury will get some time at No.10 for example, with Callum Simpson coming off the bench to finish the game. It is just scenario planning, and we will do that in a few positions.
The challenge
We have picked a team that we 100 per cent think can win. But there’s way more movement than normal and guys are shuffled around a bit. It is about the guys being able to control and manage the game in the positions they are in.
Shuffling the magnets
Max Angove will come back into Colts 1. Charlie Liu has recovered from an ankle injury and he’ll get some time because he is a good footballer and can really add something in the finals.
Fergus Gillan is out with a minor hamstring strain and Kenny Harris will be rested. He does a tonne of work and really batters his body, so it is an opportunity for him to freshen up a bit. We know how he plays, we know exactly what he brings because he does it every week so there are no questions there. Jake Leck is another who we will try to freshen up a bit, that will give Rogan Huntley, our backup prop, a star.
The final word
It is the final game before the finals. We really want to see a disciplined approach to the game. That means we show the right attitude and game control we’ll need in the finals.
With Rico Gear
Premier Men
Last time we met
Bull Sharks lost 21-17
It was three tries each, the Norths goal kicker managed to slot a few tough chances which was the difference in the end. It was a frustrating game, the Bull Sharks dominated in some areas but were well and truly second best in others.
The opposition
Norths are a really big side who dominated us physically last time we played them. They played Wests last week and took it to them for most of the game. They scored 43 points of their own last week, so they've got to be playing quite well to do that against Wests who have been absolutely dominant. I think they have won 10 or 11 in a row and are the form side of the competition.
The challenge
The real challenge for us is to stand up to the physical pressure, they'll bring. They are just an enormous team, they have a 140kg winger and a massive forward pack. Last time we played here it was in the wet and we just didn’t deal with it. We didn’t control possession; we got past three phases only three times in the game last time. We basically handed them the game.
The focus
I’d like us to control the game a bit better. Sunnybank and GPS were both bonus point wins, but we didn’t play with any control. So, I’m looking for us to manage the game a bit better, and that is on our decision makers.
The final word
We need to be physically dominant, because whoever we play in the final the next week, we’ll need to match up physically.
With Mick Heenan
Premier Women
The opposition
Norths have improved a lot. They were getting smoked for a few years, but they’re on the up. They’ve got lots of young players in.
The challenge
We have to concentrate on playing our game. We need to focus on Bond ball. It will be hard to implement it in this game as Norths’ defence won’t be as good as sides we could face in the finals.
Shuffling the magnets
Ava Wereta has left us for Next Gen 7s, but we get all our young players back from Aussie camp so that will be good.
The focus
We will be focusing on defence, and following policy.
The final word
It's our final hit-out before the finals. We want to play final style football -full intensity, full commitment to our game style. Let’s go!
With Lawrence Faifua