Coach Bec Stower was confident the Bull Sharks would find their spark, and so it transpired with Bond knocking a powerful Ipswich Jets line up out of top spot with one round left to play.
The Bull Sharks produced an energetic and disciplined mid-week performance at Nissan Arean against a competition heavyweight to end a three-match losing streak and instil significant belief ahead of finals.
Bond trailed by a solitary goal at quarter time but pulled away over the remaining three to claim a welcome 66-58 victory.
“We really focused in and knuckled down on our full-game moments and what success looked like with those,” Stower said.
A particular emphasis was placed on taking advantage of hard-won possession.
“We win enough ball at our defensive end, but at times we just don’t value it,” Stower said.
That changed against the Jets with Bond showing greater patience and purpose with ball in hand and the kind of sustained pressure that had been missing during their recent losing run.
Bond’s attacking end was led by Kirra Tappenden who returned to her competitive best after several relatively quiet weeks.
“Like a lot of the girls she’s been slightly off in recent weeks, but she rocked up to training during the week full of beans and before the game she was saying that she was ready and raring to go,” Stower said.
“She was a demon last night.”
Stower said she’d been encouraging her shooters to take the two-point opportunities earlier rather than relying exclusively on the traditional one-goal game.
She was pleased to see her attackers take control in that regard.
“We like to win playing a one-point game, but we also need to know that we’ve got the capability to ratchet up scoreboard pressure and really put our foot down when super shots are on offer,” she said.
For this game Jayden Molo started at WD as part of a tweaked midcourt. She was another standout.
“Her pressure off the line was exceptional,” Stower said.
Sasha-May Flegler also delivered a strong performance at centre, while Joesi Gisinger - who came on shortly after half-time - contributed strongly for the remainder of the match.
Stower said Holly Comyns delivered her best performance for the club since arriving from New Zealand a few weeks ago.
“Holly had to play the full game because of Tehya Hyssett’s absence through concussion, and I think she really relished the opportunity to find her rhythm against a pretty accomplished and very tall shooter in Charlie Bell.”
The win has now set up an intriguing final round against the new competition front runner - last year’s runner up - Kedron-Wavell Cougars.
Bull Sharks v Cougars
Nissan Arena
Sunday, 6pm.
The Opposition
- with Bec Stower
If Ipswich provided Bond with an important confidence test, Kedron-Wavell represents an even more intriguing challenge for us.
The Cougars have been one of the competition’s most consistent sides. They beat us 65-49 in the opening round of the season and have been well entrenched in the top few ladders spots all season.
For us it’s not simply about finishing the regular season strongly - it’s an opportunity to test our game against a team we may well meet again in a Preliminary Final if things go to plan.
The Challenge
At their attacking end, our immediate challenge will be containing Nalani Makunde. She’s been shooting at an extraordinary level We’ll again be without Tehya Hyssett meaning Holly Comyns is likely to get the job.
The greater challenge, however, may come from the physical nature of the Cougars.
The focus
We expect a hard, uncompromising contest. Maintaining discipline will be crucial -particularly when it comes to avoiding distractions and refusing to allow the physical battle or umpiring interpretations to dictate the way we play.
Final word
My instruction is simple - stick with the plan. The objective is to win the individual match-ups, maintain composure quarter by quarter and ensure that, if we are to face the Cougars again in a few weeks that we enter the contest knowing we belong in the fight.
Ruby
Bull Sharks v Ipswich Jets (last night)
Bull Sharks v Kedron-Wavell Cougars (preview)
Nissan Arena
Sunday, 4pm
Who did you play and what did they bring to the contest?
Mid-week games pose a unique challenge, requiring players to travel from the Coast, switch off from school, university or work, and quickly shift into a competitive mindset late in the evening.Nissan Arena was full of boxers on Wednesday night, but unfortunately, we didn’t get into the fight early enough against a strong and determined Jets outfit who were playing to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
How did the game play out?
Errors, both forced and unforced, meant the Jets had too much possession and too many opportunities in the opening quarter. Their shooting combination of Coco Smith and Millie Lockward received a glut of ball, and they made us pay, establishing a commanding lead by the first break.
Credit to our group: despite the early onslaught, we continued to adjust, compete and improve as the game progressed, ultimately winning the second half.
We are disappointed with the result, but there is little time to dwell on it. We will review and reflect today before getting back on court tonight, then turn our attention to the top-of-the-table Cougars on Sunday for our final game of the season.
Who looked the goods for Bond?
Our shooters Abby Boland, Bridie Stewart and Evie Stower really took the game on during the Super Shot periods. Under immense defensive pressure, they showed courage and confidence to keep attacking the post and help drag us back into the contest.
Our defensive end and midcourt also battled hard against a very tall target at GS and an elusive GA combination, working tirelessly to slow the Jets’ ball movement and create opportunities.
What are the key adjustments heading into Sunday?
With a short turnaround and training less than 24 hours after the game, our focus is clear: seize the key moments early, be mentally switched on from the opening whistle, and trust and execute our game plan consistently.
There is no tomorrow after Sunday. We have one last chance to take the court together this season, and we intend to make it count.