Fast starts and strong finishes were the keys to a defining weekend for Bull Sharks netball. The Sapphire squad were on fire from the opening whistle on their way to a 36-point win over the Carina Tigers which puts them on top of the ladder.
It was the opposite for the Ruby squad. In a hard-fought battle against the Tigers, the girls dug deep in the final quarter to score 21 goals to chase down a 13-point deficit and secure a one-point win in the dying seconds of the match.
Despite real resilience and hard work our M-League squad had a tough loss against title favourites the Brisbane Wildcats.
Head of Netball Kim Boland says it was a great weekend of culture for the club, with Sapphire and M-League players supporting the Ruby squad in the final quarter of their game, a display of true Bull Shark spirit.
Sapphire Series
Bull Sharks won 88 – 52
How it was won
We had a couple of key goals in our game plan this week. Firstly, to start strong, and we did just that, leading 30–15 at the first break. From there, we put our foot down and limited them to just six goals in the second quarter, stretching our lead to 53 by half time.
What made you happy
We hit the targets we set during the week at training which was really pleasing. I also had the chance to experiment with different on-court combinations in the second half - giving players the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and start building new on-court connections.
Bull Sharks Netball
Our group remains focused on our roles and the job at hand. We’ve worked hard to create a well-rounded, holistic team environment, and it's starting to show. Our leadership group has also stepped up, developing their own leadership skills to guide the team with humility and by example.
The work to do
Of course there are still areas we want to tighten up. But across the board, I’m really happy with how we’re tracking.
Trademark Players
Kirra Tappenden was outstanding in GA, shooting 11 super shots. We’ve spent a lot of time refining her role, and she’s playing with real intent and purpose. Her growth this season has been so exciting to see.
Jayden Molo was incredibly composed, showing maturity and strong adaptability in managing the game.
Tehya Hyssett came on and made an immediate impact in both GK and GD. She continues to prove her value as she steps up into her first Sapphire season.
With Rebecca Stower
Ruby Series
Bull Sharks 59 – 58
How it was won
This wasn’t the prettiest game to watch — it was a tough and at times a frustrating game. Trailing by 13 heading into the final quarter the girls dug deep and found another gear, snatching the win from the Tigers in the final 60 seconds. It was our collective defensive pressure that turned the tide — with strong rebounds, key intercepts through the mid-court, clutch two-point shots, and the composure to control possession and run down the clock. The final quarter was won 21- 7 and was a true display of grit and determination from everyone on the team.
What made you happy
Our first 10 minutes and final 10 minutes were outstanding — a true reflection of the hard work we've been putting in at training and the high standards we expect from all our athletes. We've clearly learned from the heartbreak losses in recent rounds, and the determination and grit shown to turn the game around after a disappointing second and third quarter was really pleasing to see.
Bull Sharks Netball
Having our Sapphire and M-League athletes stay to support us in the final quarter truly reflected the spirit of our club. Their energy and encouragement from the sideline played a huge role in helping our girls push through to the finish. It made me incredibly proud—not just of the team, but of the culture and environment we're continuing to build here at the club.
The work to do
It might sound like a recurring theme, but once again we’re finding ourselves in tough battles largely due to our own errors. It’s something we need to take ownership of and improve. Alongside that, we must focus on delivering four consistent quarters, not just two.
Trademark Players
Ocean Karekare was absolutely outstanding this week, she was relentless in defence and in attack with her four intercepts, countless tips, and crucial pickups truly turned the game in our favour.
With Kim Boland
M-League
Bull Sharks lost 81 - 41
How it was lost
Wildcats as expected were a tough opponent with depth and experience right across the court. They consistently won the important contests on court, but we continued to do our best and work ourselves back into the game. I’m immensely proud of our resilience and ability to kept working despite tough scoreboard pressure.
Bull Sharks Netball
We pride ourselves on never giving up and working to the final whistle and every player on the team once gain embodied this core value on the weekend.
The work to do
We need to consistently execute our basic skills sets and structures. We have periods when we do this and we are in the game, and we now need to extend these periods to allow us to stay in the game longer against the top teams. We can and will get there with continued discipline and dedication at training.
With Gavin Clarke