Bond University Bull Sharks celebrate their return to Queenslandâs elite netballing stage with a huge game against last yearâs premiers, Brisbane North Cougars, at Nissan Arena in Brisbane at 7pm Saturday.
Bondâs Ruby team lines up against the Cougars at the same venue. Their game starts at 5pm.
SAPPHIRE
Who theyâre playing:
Brisbane North Cougars represent a hell of an opening round challenge for Bond.
The highly respected reigning premiers havenât lost a single game since 2020 and are odds-on to make it four championship trophies in a row.
That said, their enduring success may see their depth tested with many players from last yearâs roster rightfully snaffled up by Suncorp Super Netball.
Itâll be tough for Bond, but you never know. The Bull Sharks wonât die wondering.
Where it could be won:
The Bull Sharks are fit, fast and hungry to earn the competitionâs respect.
Bull Sharks Sapphire Head Coach Bec Stower reckons that could make things pretty interesting.
âOur preseason has tracked exceptionally well,â she said.
âWe have been working towards our targets in our trial games and have gradually built towards these.
âIt will certainly be a baptism of fire on the weekend.
âWe have the utmost respect for the Cougars coaching staff and players and will it be fascinating to see us test ourselves against the benchmark.â
One to watch:
Kaylin van Greunan will hit the opening round in hot form.
The Toowoomba-raised sharp-shooter has always been a standout because of her imposing height, but her calmness and smarts in and around the attacking circle is now just as compelling.
The 17-year-old hit the scoreboard more than any other player and converted at 90 percent for Queensland U19s at last weekâs National Netball Championships.
Her efforts didn't go unnoticed. She's just been announced as a member of Netball Australia's 2023 Australian U19 squad.
Welcome to the Bull Sharks:
Dakota Newson has been in the Sapphire Series program for the last two seasons as an impact player for QUT and Gold Coast Titans.
She took all her chances with open arms and impressed plenty with her spectacular speed, agility, and creativity at the circle edge.
From all reports sheâs trained the lights out in the build-up to a new season at her new netballing home.
RUBY
Who theyâre playing:
The Brisbane North Cougars Ruby team played finals last year. Itâll be a tough test for Bond first up.
Where it could be won:
The Bond Ruby squad is a good balance of quick, skilful and imposing. The team is extremely strong and fit and should provide plenty of headaches for whoever they play.
One to watch:
Joesi Gisinger is one of six Gold Coast-raised talents in the Bull Sharks Ruby squad. Sheâs crafty, tough and wonât take a backward step.
Welcome to the Bull Sharks:
Her coach and mum (Bondâs Head of Netball operations, Kim Boland) wonât necessarily like us putting her daughter on a pedestal, but the rise of goal shooter Abby Boland simply canât be ignored.
The six-foot-one dead-eye has earned plenty of respect by quietly chipping away and taking opportunities when they emerge.
Her selection in the Queensland U19 squad last year was spectacular reward for an incredible State Championships in 2022.
After she watched on from the bench last season as a training partner for the Gold Coast Titans, we reckon Boland is primed to keep on surprising people in season â23.
Venue:
Nissan Arena (Queensland State Netball Centre)
590 Mains Rd, Nathan, QLD.
Game times:
Ruby 5.00pm
Sapphire 7.00pm