The Bull Sharks’ past and future collided in spectacular fashion on Saturday as The Canal’s brand-new grandstand was officially unveiled before the biggest home crowd of the season.
The event doubled as Past Players’ Day and drew a mix of familiar faces, from club greats to proud parents, as well as a travelling crew from Melbourne’s Xavier College who made the trip north to cheer on their boys – students Ned Betts, Nick Francis, Miles Enders, Sonny McConnell and Max Quinn.
Gold Coast football royalty – Essendon and Brisbane Hall of Famer Roger Merrett and two-time Brisbane Lions AFLW premiership player and former Bull Shark Taylor Smith – were also in attendance.
The afternoon rolled into four statement wins and a sea of navy and gold smiles as the Bull Sharks locked away finals berths for all grades.
The senior men and reserve women now enjoy a bye, while the senior women face Aspley in a knockout final at The Canal next weekend. The reserves men head to Coolangatta for their elimination clash.
While the scoreboard shone, it was the pre-game ceremony that stole the show.
QAFLW premiership captain and women’s games record holder Paris Lightfoot flew in from Melbourne to join club stalwart Nathan “Snowy” Thomas and Director of AFL Andy Lovell in a flag-raising ceremony.
For many the most poignant moment came when two-time premiership player and reserve grade premiership coach James Fitchett delivered an emotional recital of the Ode to the Bona Fide Bull Shark.
Lightfoot, Thomas and Fitchett then joined three-time premiership coach and president Sam Whish-Wilson, Bond University Vice Chancellor Professor Tim Brailsford and Provost Keitha Dunstan to cut the ribbon on the striking new facility.
With the official proceedings completed, a crowd of VIPs that included local Federal MP Leon Rebello, Gold Coast City Councillor (Div 11) Dan Doran, Gold Coast Suns deputy chief executive Simon Fitzgibbon, Suns AFLW coach Rhys Shaw, former Bull Sharks president John Le Lievre and builder Simon Newitt of Steel Construct Australia enjoyed a clean sweep of Bull Sharks victories from the comfort of the new stand.
The Canal has long boasted one of the premier playing surfaces on the Gold Coast and has regularly hosted national underage representative and AFLW football.
Now it can offer a fan experience to match.
Shaw – whose Suns will host Collingwood in an AFLW match at The Canal in October – called the stand “fantastic” and admitted he was “already picturing the atmosphere” the venue would produce for the AFLW clash.
Lovell said the upgrade, with its 540 covered seats, integrated lighting, sound, wifi and food-van precinct, was more than just an impressive structure.
“This is a game-changer for our club,” he said.
“It gives our players and supporters the kind of home ground they deserve and cements The Canal as one of the premier AFL venues in Queensland.”
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QFA v Coolangatta
Seniors - W
14.9 (93) - 6.7 (43)
Reserves - W
7.5 (47) - 5.6 (36)
QAFLW v Coorparoo
Seniors - W
10.7 (67) - 3.2 (20)
Reserves - W
8.1 (49) - 3.4 (22)