The Bull Sharks return home to The Canal this weekend with both squads looking to take care of business and shore up ladder positions ahead of the finals. For the QFA men, a strong win over Beenleigh would maintain their hold on top spot—though coach Kain Ford has urged his side to stay focused regardless of the opposition’s form.
Meanwhile, the QAFLW team faces a fired-up Aspley outfit in a must-win clash that will test both squads’ depth, with injuries biting hard on both benches. Coach Andy Lovell says the response to last week’s flat performance will be mental as much as physical: “Our destiny is still in our hands.”
QFA
Bull Sharks v Beenleigh at The Canal
Last time we met
Round 10 2025 at The Canal
Bull Sharks won 23.20 (158) - 3.4 (22)
This certainly wasn’t a game for the ages. In a scrappy affair, we managed to kick a massive score to win the game convincingly. There were patches in the game where we looked slick, although there were too many periods which are best forgotten.
The opposition
Beenleigh have been a side that has struggled to get any type of foothold this season. They were hamstrung by a mass exodus of personnel at the beginning of the season and haven’t really got themselves going with any consistency.
The challenge
We take no team lightly and this week is no exception. On paper we should take care of business, however coach Ford has expressed all season that we must stick to our game plan and brand of footy no matter the opposition or the scoreline. This has been super successful up until to this point.
Shuffling the magnets
We came out of the game on the weekend injury free, which was a good result so we should remain relatively unchanged going into the weekend.
The focus
Play our way, get the job done and continue gaining momentum as we lead into a finals campaign.
The final word
It's another game to solidify our position on the top of the ladder. There isn’t much percentage between first and second place on the ladder so it's critical we continue our winning ways.
With Matthew Kennedy
QAFLW
Bull Sharks v Aspley at The Canal
Last time they met
Round 5, 2025 at Aspley
Bull Sharks won 7.5 (47) – 4.7 (31)
We absorbed their contested pressure really well and we were able to lock the ball inside the forward half of our ground and limit their ability to get the ball inside their forward 50. It was a really wet and slippery game, but we handled the ball particularly well by hand and foot.
The opposition
Aspley have got their own injury challenges, they’ve been a power club for a number of years but like us they’ve suffered significant injury to key players. Their depth is being tested severely. At their best they’re a really fast, skilful team, so we can’t let them get to the outside like we did Wilston Grange.
The challenge
I think the challenge is mental, we must put the disappointment of last week’s performance behind us, learn from that outcome and trust and believe that our Bull Sharks brand of footy is really competitive and can stand up.
Shuffling the magnets
We get Ella Calleja back from NFL commitments. There won’t be many other changes. Leah Kaslar is out for season, Georgia Johnson will be out for another week with her back and Chloe Smith is out for two more weeks with concussion.
Ones to watch
Millie Ella as a small forward was quite lively and hard in her attack on the ball last week and we hope to see more of that. Maisy Evans competed strongly in the ruck and I’m looking forward to Jasmine Davidson continuing her strong form.
The focus
We really need to get off to a good start, I think you build confidence and connection off the back of really good energy and contest. We’ve got a lot to play for and so have they, so it will be a strong contest. With both teams battling major injuries it will be a test of wills to see who prevails.
The final word
Our destiny is still in our own hands.
With Andy Lovell