The Bull Sharks football factory is set to pump out another swag of gun juniors into the AFLW.
Already number one in the country for producing AFLW draftees, the Bond University AFL club has another six talented footballers attracting genuine interest ahead of the first-ever AFLW National Draft in December.
With state draft boundaries dissolving, it’s a whole new ballgame for Havana Harris, Mia Salisbury, Nyalli Milne, Tara Harrington, Heidi Talbot and Skye White.
All bar White and Talbot were part of the Bull Sharks’ 2023 QAFLW premiership side and each has impressed consistently at state and national levels to be considered among the most coveted young players in the country.
Previously, each state has managed its own talent pathways meaning Queensland draftees would be funnelled into the Brisbane Lions or the Gold Coast Suns.
Now draftees could end up at any one of the competition’s 18 clubs.
Three-time All Australian Havana Harris leads the pack and there isn’t a club in the competition that hasn’t been tracking her progress since she was 16.
Considered one of the QAFLW league's premier rucks, she can also dominate forward and in midfield positions and her adaptability makes her a prized asset for any AFLW team looking to bolster their stocks.
Salisbury's stellar performance in the QAFLW Senior Grand Final against Southport also cemented her position as a top draft prospect.
Her skills around stoppage and her ability to create opportunities at clearances make her a very attractive proposition.
"I'm really excited for the draft but a little nervous, we will just have to wait and see what happens," Salisbury said.
Milne, a fellow Suns Academy and Queensland U18 state teammate, will also be up for grabs this draft year.
Known for her silky transition work and consistent defensive pressure, she has been a shining star all season.
While looking forward to the draft, Milne's bittersweet sentiments reflect the strong bonds formed with the Bull Sharks.
"I'm super-excited for the draft," she said.
"But I’ll be sad to leave these girls. They're such a good group and all so supportive.
“They will bring it again next year."
The journey of these athletes to the draft is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the hard work and vision of Bond's head coach, Andy Lovell.
Lovell has transformed the way the Bull Sharks play in his two years at the club by focussing on educating the players on team defence, stoppage structures and ball movement.
It has allowed the Bull Sharks to retain a high level of consistency despite constantly changing team line-ups due to representative duties and university commitments to key players.
However, it is the work he has done on individual skill development that is allowing his players to shine.
Clean hands, marking, kicking and contested work have become the hallmark of a side that is generally giving away size and experience to its opposition.
“The one thing every coach wants is players who are desperate to learn and improve, not only their own skill set but also as teammates, and we’re very fortunate to have a group of girls that share these traits,” Lovell said.
“Everything we do is about helping the players to be the best they can be.
“But ultimately it is up to them, and the success we’ve had as a team and the individual successes these girls have enjoyed through representative selections and now hopefully on draft night is because of the work they have done.
“I couldn’t be prouder of them and all of us at the Bull Sharks can’t wait to see them in action in the AFLW.”