Our QFA seniors returned to the winners circle on Ash's Day with a strong performance against a vastly improved Tweed Tigers while Coorparoo continued their recent dominance over our QAFLW seniors on Anzac Day.
QFA
Bull Sharks v Tweed Tigers.
Bull Sharks win 10.5 (65) to 3.8 (26)
Best: Nick Scott, Matthew Smith, Grant Trew, Sam Brooks, Liam Viney, Nathan Rataj
Goals: Felix Packer 3, J Tilley 2, Tom Ferguson, Nathan White, Taj Cadle, Nick Scott, Nathan Rataj.
Where it was won:
In a very scrappy, untidy affair the game was won as it can be on most occasions in the midfield. Tweed had much of the play early but Bond gained the ascendancy in the third quarter. Our twin towers up forward in Jack Tilley and Felix Packer found some clean ball coming in which opened the game and up put massive pressure on the Tweed key defenders. A sizeable lead was built off that.
The highlight:
After two years out of the game it was amazing to see the entire team swamp Felix Packer to celebrate after he kicked his first major. It was a great moment after a super frustrating period for the young gun forward who has sustained two serious knee injuries in the previous two seasons. A nice touch was to have his father fly in from Adelaide unannounced which made the day even more special for Felix and the club.
What made you happy:
Young Sam Brooks isn’t a giant in stature but plays with a spirit and tenacity that is infectious to his teammates. His stocks continue to rise within the team because of this. Wearing the distinctive headgear, you often find him burrowing in without any respect for his body or what might be coming the other way. He has been a welcome addition into the side and inspires those around him every week with the way he plays.
Bull Sharks Football:
The learnings this week were around ensuring we prepare well, respected the opposition and to remained vigilant in ensuring we don’t drift away from what has made us very difficult to play against this year. For the first half we simply weren’t doing that. The half time address from coach Hart realigned the focus and the second half looked much different across the board. Uncharacteristic skill errors and poor decisions were the script in the first half, and it was pleasing to turn that around after half time to go onto a solid victory. We wouldn’t have had a clear winner in the first half.
The work to do:
The message was strong post-game about the importance of acutely understanding your responsibilities no matter the opposition nor the scoreline. We seemed to move away from what had made us so impressive in the first few weeks. In saying that the Tweed Tigers have improved significantly under Dean Solomon who is in his second year as coach. We didn’t disrespect the opposition but did feel we may not have been as dialled in as previous weeks which never ends well and is always reflected on the scoreboard.
Trademark Player:
Grant Trew was someone who represented the way we want to play and compete for the majority of the game. Playing as a deep defender he was kept honest all day by a very lively forward and plenty of repeat entries. Defensively he didn’t miss a beat spoiling, blocking, and competing with the spirit and aggression he is known for. This is the trademark of Trewy who was a standout this week given the amount of entries the opposition had and the amount of repeat involvements he had.
With Shaun Hart.
Reserves.
Bull Sharks win 13.25 103 to 2.2 (14)
Best: William Cooper, Harrison Black, Mitchell Mills, Blake Spencer, Jack Mitchell, James McNamara
QAFLW
Bull Sharks v Coorparoo
Coorparoo win 3.4 (22) to 2.4 (16)
Bull Sharks best: Ella Calleja, Courtney Sexton, Abbey Bevan, Charlotte Taylor, Imogen Evans, Shannon Nolan.
Goals: B Iverach, I Lowe
Where it was won:
Coorparoo out tackled us and outworked us with their spread from stoppage. We conceded 2 x 50m penalty goals out of their total of 3 goals which hurt us significantly.
The highlight:
Jemma Blair’s performance at full back was superb. She won all of her one-on-one contests and rebounded strongly off half back all game.
What made you happy:
Despite the loss our defensive structures and shape were very strong all game
Bull Sharks Football:
Our football DNA is built upon a foundation of contested ball and frontal pressure which we lacked, and it cost us dearly. Our ball use was clunky and rushed at times.
The work to do:
We revied the game strongly and honestly and we need to revert back to our foundation plays which are built on team care and effort with and without the ball.
Trademark player:
Courtney Sexton worked tirelessly all game inside the stoppages and around the ground and had a very good balance of attack and defence. As our vice-captain she led the way for all the other girls.
With Andy Lovell.
Reserves:
Bull Sharks win 7.2 (44) to 3.1 919)
Best: Lexi Samuels, Alice Savill, Chelsea Cooper, Izabella Bower, Grace Knight, Tara Radford
Goals: J Troutman 2, L James, M Sekac, I Bower, P Priestly, H Garland.