A landmark chapter in the Bull Sharks’ journey will be written this Saturday with the official opening of the new grandstand at The Canal.
The unveiling coincides with Past Players’ Day, bringing together generations of Bond AFL greats including QAFLW premiership captain Paris Lightfoot and dual-premiership player James Fitchett to celebrate where the club has come from – and where it’s going.
The day also marks the final round of the home and away season, and all four Bull Sharks seniors and reserves teams are heading into finals footy.
The QFA men have already claimed the minor premiership and now face reigning premiers Coolangatta while in the QAFLW, we take on Coorparoo in a battle for third spot.
QFA
Bull Sharks v Coolangatta
Last time we met
Rd 11, 2025 at Coolangatta
Bull Sharks won 11.18 (84) - 8.2 (50)
The team went into the game well equipped and clear eyed to the challenge that was to confront them. Encounters at Coolangatta are always about withstanding the early storm and building scoreboard pressure and that’s exactly what happened. After half time the Bull sharks never looked back and went on to win convincingly.
The opposition
We face an opposition this week we have had some fierce battles with over the years. This week will be no different. It’s a massive day for the Club with the official opening of our new grandstand coinciding with Past Players Day. We’ll have plenty of support, but Cooly are always up for the fight, and we have no doubt they would love nothing more than bowling us over on our home deck.
The Challenge
The Blues have real firepower and a quality midfield mix. They are a contender this season and have welcomed back some key assets to their team. This is the final home and away round of the season before our finals campaign, what better way to run into the finals than beating a quality opposition in front of our home crowd.
Shuffling the magnets
We could welcome back up to 4-5 players back into the senior team this weekend. It’s a headache for the coaches although one they are happy to have given the quality of players making their return.
Ones to watch
They have weapons across the ground. Their midfield is stacked with quality along with a dominant ruckman.
The focus
Nothing changes, the team has been dialled in all season and this week is no different. Our focus will be to finish the year off with a big win and charge into the final’s series full of confidence ready for a premiership tilt.
The final word
This week is an exciting weekend for the club given the significance of the day and the formalities surrounding it.
With Matthew Kennedy
QAFLW
Bull Sharks v Cooparoo
Last time we met.
Rd 3, 2025 at Coorparoo
Bull Sharks won 4.4 (28) - 1.3 (9)
It was won in the contest we were plus 30 for contested ball. The conditions were wet and muddy and our composure under pressure was really great
The opposition
Coorparoo present a real challenge, they’re an aggressive, strong contested ball team. They are always up for the fight. They’re the only team this year to defeat Southport. It’s a must win game for us.
The challenge
To continue to focus on our Bull Sharks brand of footy, and to continue to grow our quality of ball use.
Shuffling the magnets
The team selection will be a real challenge as our last two games have been excellent. We regain our three U18 Queensland academy players - Annabelle Foat, Aleah Stringer and Millar Brosnan-Ball. Georgia Johnson is close to being available, while our ressies have been in fantastic form - Sienna Merry, Sarah Heptinstall and Ella Furlong are all putting their hand up for consideration.
Ones to watch
Kendra Blattman as a key forward is back to her best form. Our defence Skye White, Grace Moodie, Jemma Blair, Aleisha Withers and Tobi Chapman and more recently Matilda Clarkson have been excellent at not only stopping scores but kick starting our offence from half back.
The focus
The focus is bringing contest and enormous defensive pressure. The game will be won off the back of that.
The final word
Our destiny is still in our own hands.
With Andy Lovell