The Bull Sharks face a wildcard this weekend as they prepare to take on competition newcomers Pulse in both the Sapphire and Ruby Series. With limited information and no previous matchups to draw from, the focus will be on controlling what they can: their structure, intent, and execution.
The Sapphire squad has full access to their Super Netball reserves players who have been on restricted minutes and the Ruby side will be looking to build on strong recent form and start faster. Both squads are wary of the unknowns Pulse present—but confident in their systems, depth, and growth.
Sapphire Series
The Opposition
Pulse are the newest addition to the Sapphire Series and come into the match still chasing their first win. As a fresh team with new combinations, they’re finding their rhythm—but they’ll be hungry and dangerous as they look to break through.
The Challenge
Pulse present an element of the unknown. While we’re familiar with some of their line-up, they’ve recruited heavily from interstate, and their style of play remains unpredictable. We’ll need to stay alert, adapt quickly, and be prepared for anything.
Shuffling the magnets
This week marks the return of our full squad, with players coming back into the mix following Super Netball stand-down periods. That depth and experience will be crucial as we push into the business end of the season.
Ones to Watch
What I am really looking for is a full team performance. We’re fortunate to have incredible depth across the court, and with more time together, our combinations continue to strengthen. The more we consolidate our connections, the more growth we’ll see each week.
The focus
Our intention is firmly on delivering our brand of netball and staying committed to our game plan. That said, we know things won’t always go exactly to script—so the ability to make smart, in-the-moment adjustments will be key.
The final word
We take the lessons from last week’s loss, refocus, and move forward. It’s about playing one game at a time, staying connected, and getting our season back on track.
With Rebecca Stower
Ruby Series
The Opposition
We head into this clash with limited insights, facing a Pulse side we haven’t seen in action. As a new club in the Ruby Series, they’ve already chalked up three wins and pushed some of the top teams close—so we’re expecting a tough and physical contest.
The Challenge
It is always challenging to go into a game without any game footage or analysis, so once again, we’ll be going in blind. That said, we’ll focus on what we can control — our performance and staying true to our brand of netball.
Shuffling the magnets
No changes to the line-up this week. We’ll back in the players who have been building strong connections over the past few rounds.
Ones to watch
It will take a collective effort to get the job done. This team plays for each other, and that unity will be key against unpredictable opposition.
The focus
We need to stay true to our brand of netball, stick to the game plan, and focus on improving the slower starts we've experienced in recent games.
The final word
The team is building nicely, but every game in the Ruby Series is unpredictable, and we need to continue to stay focused on our intent and be ready to face whatever challenges come our way.
With Kim Boland