By Grace Knight
In a heartbreaking finish to their season, the Bull Sharks went down to the Burleigh Bombers in Sunday’s nailbiter QFA Division 2 South Grand Final.
The Bombers emerged victorious 62-51 at Benowa’s Bruce Small Park Oval after a tough battle against a determined Bull Sharks side.
HOW IT UNFOLDED
Despite a confident start from the Bull Sharks, Burleigh took the upper hand early, gaining a two-goal lead with strong defensive set-ups.
Inaccurate kicking in the second quarter from the Bull Sharks led to a handful of behinds, but they came back strongly, dominating the third quarter and scoring four consecutive goals to take the lead.
Bond struggled kicking into the strong north-easterly winds in the final quarter and the Bombers capitalised, scoring another three goals.
The Bull Sharks staged a ferocious comeback in the final moments, scoring two quick goals but were ultimately beaten by the clock.
WHO’S HOT
Bond’s backline fought hard throughout the match with key players Bradley Paech, Hamish Hoober and Mitchell Dell making a critical impact for the Bull Sharks.
Adam Forward was a standout in the midfield, his positioning, speed and agility proving an asset, while captain Mitchell Mills kept the team motivated and on the attack until the final siren.
WHAT IT MEANS
It was a heartbreaking close to Bond’s 2022 AFL season as the Bull Sharks lost to the Bombers in a final for the second year in a row.
WHAT THEY SAID
Despite the disappointing result, coach Adam Pearson praised his team for a spectacular season.
“Obviously we’re all disappointed that we didn’t do better but we had a really great bunch of guys and I’m still quite proud,” he said.
“I think they all gave it their best and they left it all out there, so that’s all you can really ask for.”
Mills said he was proud to lead such a strong and diverse side.
“It’s definitely a tough way to finish a strong season. With over 50 players representing the reserves this year, making it to the grand final was truly a group effort,” he said.
“I’m so grateful to have had the privilege to captain the team under the guidance of Pearson.”