Picture: KPM Sports Images
Buoyed by their win over competition favourites Southport Sharks, the Bull Sharks QAFLW side will field a near full-strength team against Aspley.
The senior women's team travels to Brisbane on Saturday for their second-last game of the regular season.
The Bull Sharks will need to produce the same grit they showed in the mudbath against the Sharks to finish in second position on the ladder.
LAST TIME THEY MET
The Bull Sharks suffered their first loss of the season against Aspley when the sides met in round four. Bond University could not convert their attack into points and their frustration played into the Hornets’ hands who posted a nine-point victory.
Bond University AFL General Manager Michael Swann called the loss ‘a wake-up call’ and said the seniors were desperate to be known as a consistent team at the business end of the season.
“With the competition so close the girls really do have to take it one week at a time,” Swann said.
“Having dropped a game to Aspley earlier in the year I’m sure there will be that added feeling in this match.”
Aspley had a bye last weekend so did not have the chance to make amends for their 12-point loss to Maroochydore in round 13.
They currently sit sixth on the QAFLW ladder with six wins for the season.
WHO TO WATCH
Annie Muir was superb for Bond University against Southport; her sprinting background came to the fore on the wing as she left opponents in her dust. The vice-captain’s speed and footwork earned her Best on Ground.
Muir was also strong in defence with nine tackles, one less than captain Paris Lightfoot.
The loss to Aspley coincided with Muir's 50th game for the Bull Sharks, so she will be motivated to secure victory this time around.
Muir joined the Bull Sharks club when she was only 16 and is considered a role model for younger players.
WHERE IT WILL BE WON
Bond had a strong start in attack against Aspley in round four but fell apart due to poor conversion, taking almost six minutes to register their presence on the scoreboard and even then, it was only a behind.
They will need to take advantage of every opportunity in front of goal on Saturday and keep building momentum to show rivals they are closing in on the flag.
IF WE WIN/LOSE
If the Bull Sharks win this match they keep alive their chances of finishing in the top two on the ladder and receiving the crucial ‘second-chance’ in what will be a hotly contested finals campaign.
Fortunately for Bond, the Southport Sharks and University of Queensland- who share equal points on top of the ladder- are playing each other on Saturday.
A win over Aspley will see Bond move ahead of whichever team losses, unless the match ends in draw, in which case all three teams will be tied on top of the ladder heading into the last round of the season.
IN OTHER GAMES
The QAFLW reserves’ side kicks off the action at Aspley Football Club. The team also enjoyed a win over Southport last weekend.
The men’s teams, who have six rounds left before finals, will be playing at Burleigh Bombers where home fans are sure to give them a frosty reception.
The ladder-leading seniors team is braced for a bruising encounter on Saturday.
“Burleigh has a pretty healthy contingent of fans that come out and support their club,” Swann said.
“There was fire in some games last year, they were physical games.
“Bond and Burleigh have developed a really good rivalry over the past few years. The two teams went head-to-head in the grand final last year but Bond didn’t quite get over the line.”
The Bull Sharks suffered a loss against Carrara before last weekend’s bye and have pressed the reset button at training this week as they focus on attacking the last part of the season.
Look out for Riewoldt Family AFL Excellence Scholarship holder Morgan Ferres who played for the Gold Coast Suns’ VFL team against the Coburg Lions last weekend.
The men’s reserves side is chasing a four-quarter performance after also posting a loss in round 12.
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
QAFLW round 15
Reserves Bull Sharks vs Aspley Hornets 12:00pm (Carseldine)
Seniors Bull Sharks vs Aspley Hornets 2:00pm (Carseldine)
QFA round 13
Reserves Bull Sharks vs Burleigh Bombers 12:00pm
Seniors Bull Sharks vs Burleigh Bombers 2:00pm
Team lists are posted to the Bond University AFL Facebook page on Friday mornings following training on Thursday nights.