Bull Sharks prepare for grand final rematch: could it be history making?

By Grace Knight  

Following an incredible win last weekend in the preliminary final, the Bull Sharks men’s reserves will take on the Burleigh Bombers in the QFA Division 2 South grand final.  

The decider will be taking place on Sunday at 10:30am at Bruce Small Park in Benowa.  

This is the second consecutive grand final in which the Bull Sharks reserves will battle it out against Burleigh in the hopes of securing a premiership. 

LAST TIME THEY MET 

On paper the grand final is set to be a relatively even match-up, as Burleigh and the Bull Sharks have faced-off twice this season, resulting in one win from each team.  

In round four of the regular season, the Bull Sharks overcame the Bombers at Bond University's oval with a convincing margin, 98-47. 

Most recently in round 13 Burleigh gained the upper hand, winning by 13 points at Bill Godfrey Oval. 

With the Bull Sharks and Bombers securing their respective wins on their own home grounds, it will be a true battle of the fittest on the unchartered territory of Benowa's Bruce Small Park.  

After such a well-played match last weekend, head coach Adam Pearson explained his troops are feeling confident and hungry as they head into the highly anticipated match.  

“Everyone is on such a high after we managed to put a full game together and play the way we did, so we’re definitely feeling pretty confident,” he said.  

“It’s been relatively even between our teams this season, so we don’t hold any great fear against Burleigh."

RETURNING FACES 

With the senior Bull Sharks out of premiership contention, the reserves are fortunate to have a handful of additional experienced players at their disposal.  

Senior players who qualify for the reserve’s player list include backline weapons Bradley Paech, Harrison Black and Mitchell Dell.  

All three of these players proved themselves as strong assets to the reserves team following their tenacious approach and assistance in overcoming the Carrara Saints in the preliminary final last weekend.  

WHERE IT WILL BE WON 

Head coach Adam Pearson will no doubt be looking to take the same strong offensive approach that saw the Bull Sharks dominate in their preliminary final.

“We just want to go really hard on the ball and focus on taking the right options. It all comes down to desperation, who wants the ball more and uses it best,” Pearson said.  

“Basically, if we can play the exact game that we played last weekend, we will no doubt be able to win it.”  

As the Bull Shark’s go through their week with high hopes, their confidence boost after last weekend’s game will no doubt help ease their nerves as they look to bring home the flag. 

IF WE WIN  

The Bull Sharks have produced a spectacular season of football to get themselves into the grand final.

A win this weekend would be history in the making as no Bond men’s reserves team has ever won a grand final. 

The 2021 grand final saw Burleigh overcome the Bull Sharks with a final score of 97-34, so there will no doubt be strong aspirations and fire in their bellies as they hope to settle last season’s score.