The Bull Sharks have continued their undefeated start to the season with another clean sweep in Round 2.
The men’s and women’s programs were together at The Canal for the first time this season which created a festive atmosphere and players across all grades enjoyed having club mates cheering them on from the sidelines.
The reigning premiers QAFLW sides underlined their credentials to go back-to-back with strong wins over powerhouse Southport while the men comfortably took care of business against competition newcomers the Southern Stingrays.
QAFLW
Seniors
Bull Sharks defeat Southport 6.8 (44) to 3.5 (23)
Best: Nyalli Milne, Courtney Sexton, Arianna Clarke, Paris Lightfoot, Sophie Balcombe, Mia Salisbury
Goals: Arianna Clarke 3, Nyalli Milne, Tara Harington, Tahlia Meyer.
WHERE IT WAS WON:
After a nervous start during the first quarter where we were smashed around stoppages, we were able to wrestle the ascendancy back and broke even for the second.
After half time our contested ball lifted and we had a better balance of shape around contests which allowed us to get the Sharks on the outside with our run and ball use in space. Overall, it was a fiercely contested battle with not much separating the two teams.
THE HIGHLIGHT:
Our tackling pressure and contested ball after half time stands out. We took it to another level and were able to match it with our bigger and stronger opponents.
WHAT MADE YOU HAPPY:
The fact that at half time our girls didn’t panic. They showed maturity beyond their years to remain composed and keep faith in our systems and structures. They were able to collectively lift their work rate and persevere, and they got the result in the end.
BULL SHARKS FOOTBALL:
We set ourselves for a hard physical contest which is Southport’s strength and we delivered on that over the four quarters. Once we got the structure right and our defensive shape in order, we were able to capitalise on turn over with our speed and endurance.
THE WORK TO DO:
Our centre bounce set up and execution is a work in progress as we search for the right combination of players in the square at the same time.
TRADEMARK PLAYER:
Full back Jemma Blair did an excellent job curtailing Dakota Barron after the Southport full forward made a scintillating start in the first quarter. Jemma was able to body her up and block her run and jump at the ball. Despite giving away at least 8 cm in height she was terrific in the aerial contest and provided very good rebound off half back once the ball hit the ground.
With Andy Lovell
Reserves
Bull Sharks defeat Southport 5.11 (41) to 1.3 (9)
Best: Evie Emmett, Heidi Talbot, Tshinta Kendall, Tobi Chapman, Jasmine Single, Lexi Samuels
Goals: Tshinta Kendall 3, Poppy Priestley, Evie Emmett.
QFA
Seniors
Bull Sharks defeat Stingrays 25.14 (164) to 3.2 (20)
Best: Hamish Furphy, Liam Viney, Oliver Burrows-Cheng, Will King, Nick Scott, Jack Tilley
Goals: Jack Tilley 6, Hayden Carthew-Zimmer 3, Taj Cadle, Nick Scott, Kain Ford, Nathan White, Mitchell Dell 2, Tom Ferguson, Hamish Furphy, Liam Viney, Oliver Burrows-Cheng, Nathan Rataj, Will King.
WHERE IT WAS WON:
We impressed upon the group the importance of remaining disciplined and playing the game style we have ingrained over the summer. The midfield group led by Nathan Rataj, Ollie Burrows-Cheng and Matthew Smith were terrific early in the game with clean supply to the forwards and fierce attack on the footy and opposition – this set the tone for the day and never gave the opposition a chance.
THE HIGHLIGHT:
Jack Tilley was terrific all day up forward with the high point coming late in the game following a clean procession out of the middle and into the forward fifty metre arc. Tilley launched and grabbed an ‘Old School’ hanger before going back and calmly slotting his sixth goal. There was quite the crowd of Bull Sharks on the hill who all went up as one when he had taken the grab, in celebration of a great piece of pure footy.
WHAT MADE YOU HAPPY:
Kain Ford came in for his first for the club after an interrupted pre-season and his class was on full display. Kain is an experienced player and an ex QAFL captain who will be a massive inclusion for the team. His steadiness, ball use and leadership will add another layer to this team.
BULL SHARKS FOOTBALL:
The one demand I make every week is that I want to see a professional, disciplined footy team who play the Bull Sharks way, whether we are 100 points up or 100 points down. We made mention of this post game as the team undertook these directions to the letter.
THE WORK TO DO:
A hidden trap at times when you have a clear advantage over an opposition is overuse of handball, and we were guilty of this. The message was clear, get the ball to the outside and look for the easy early option. Were able to correct this in the second half.
TRADEMARK PLAYER:
Tom Leeds made his debut for the club and did an outstanding job down back. A very disciplined, clinical display which drew the praise of the coaching staff and players alike. Tom is a young player who has come across from Surfers Paradise and has made a significant impression in the early parts of the season with his no fuss approach and work ethic.
With Shaun Hart
Reserves.
Bull Sharks defeat Stingrays 20.24 (144) to 1.1 (7)
Best: Kane Peeters, Harrison Black, Adam Forward, Hunter Booth, William Blyth, Gabe Stower.
Goals: Dean Hepburn 4, Blake Spencer, Kane Peeters 3, Jack Mitchell, William Blyth 2, William Cooper, Fraser Eaton, Mitchell Mills, Harrison Black, Hunter Booth James Fitchett.