The Bull Sharks have sent a shockwave through the QFA by crashing Coolangatta’s fortress with a powerful 14-point win over the reigning premiers.
Coolangatta were undefeated at home last year.
The last time they lost at EXIMM Oval was back in round 9, 2023 when eventual premiers Burleigh prevailed by three points in a tight tussle.
The new look Bull Sharks embraced the toughest road trip in the QFA and were never seriously challenged with only poor conversion keeping the Blues in the hunt.
In the QAFLW, the Bull Sharks kept their unbeaten start to the season intact with a strong win over newcomers Moreton Bay.
QFA
Bond v Coolangatta at EXXIM Oval
Bull Sharks won 10.12 (72) to 9.4 (58)
Where was it won
Every line performed well on the weekend. As is the case most weeks the game was won at the coal face in the midfield. Our midfield department were exceptional all day in trying wet conditions.
The Highlight
The win itself. It must rank as one of the best in recent times. Playing the reigning premiers on their home deck was a big task but our boys displayed unbelievable belief in each other and coach, Kain Fords’ game plan.
What made you happy
Our execution. The team went down to Coolangatta and played exactly the way we had spoken about at training that week. We played our brand of footy and were the dominant side all day, at times we were challenged but we held our nerve and responded well.
Bull Sharks Football
Fast effective ball movement, pressure on the opposition and a run and carry game the opposition couldn’t match. It was symbolic of the way we want to play every time we run out on ground which made it a very pleasing 80 minutes.
The work to do
We must make the most of the opportunities that present themselves in front of goals. We kicked far too many points that should have been goals. A good win could have become a very convincing win with a better conversion rate.
Trademark Player
Ned Spiden has worked his backside off to become far fitter than he was last season and he’s seeing great reward for that. The game is much easier when you have elite fitness. Ned is a natural talent who can play the game, this year he has gone to another level which is such a bonus for this team.
QAFLW
Bond v Moreton Bay at The Canal
Bull Sharks won 13.6 (84) to 1.4 (10)
How it was won
It was just a rinse and repeat from last week. We scored four goals from centre bounce, so we really dominated there. Our stoppage work and team defence were strong. We dominated inside 50s 42-17 and we won contest.
What made you happy
I was really happy that it was a four quarter performance. At quarter time it was one goal each but in the second quarter we kick seven goals and really broke the game open. From there we just kept pressing for the whole game.
Bull Sharks Footy
We had a perfect balance between contest and outside run. We had 170 uncontested possessions to Moreton Bay’s 69, so we won uncontested by 101. That combination of really hard contest on the inside and speed and running power on the outside was our greatest weapon.
Work to do
There’s lots of work to do on our connection forward of centre. We were still a bit clunky with how we took the ball inside 50.
Trademark Players
Skye White was unpassable at centre half back. Shannon Nolan was best on ground through the midfield. Gracie Ella as a small defender was terrific as was Georgia Johnson through the midfield.
With Andy Lovell