The Bull Sharks have built a minor-premiership-winning season off the back of uncompromising contested footy and relentless frontal pressure.
And no player epitomises that more than Jed Kowald.
The first-year Bachelor of Commerce student from country Western Australia has brought to Bond the combative brand of footy that saw him play senior football in his mid-teens in a bush league full of farmers.
“I’ve played a little bit against men before. I’m originally from a town called Katanning, three hours south of Perth, and I grew up playing country footy,” Kowald said.
“I think that's where that contested side comes from. I’m always going hard at the ball and not holding back.
“I think that's followed my game over here.”
Director of AFL Andy Lovell says Kowald has made an immediate impact.
“He’s not the biggest bloke, but he is so tough,” Lovell said.
“He is the example of exactly how we want to play and what we base our whole game off. And it comes naturally to him.”
There’s a motivational slogan mounted on walls of footy clubs all around Australia: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.”
It rings true for Kowald and, increasingly, for the Bull Sharks as a whole.
A major influx of students and the retirements and departures of seasoned players in the off-season didn’t just change the age profile of Kain Ford’s squad, it also altered the physical make-up of the side.
While the plus side was the obvious lift in skill level and outside run, there were queries about how the team would stand up against more mature opponents.
Those questions appeared justified after the Bull Sharks’ only loss of the year against Carrara on their home ground – one of the competition’s smallest.
The Saints used the tight confines to their advantage, turning the game into a contested grind and robbing Bond of space and time.
“There was a perception about Bond that we might be fast and skilful, but we were vulnerable against bigger, tougher opponents,” Lovell said.
“While I don’t think it was that glaring, there was an element of truth to it that we wanted to rectify.
“From day one of pre-season we were telling the boys that our game had to be based off an uncompromising attack on the footy and relentless frontal pressure – and off the back of that, we could use our weapons, which are pace, hard running and skill.”
According to Kowald there has been a silver lining to the dark clouds that have made heavy-wet tracks the norm throughout the 2025 QFA season.
“That’s one good result of this season’s rain – we feel like we can play in any conditions,” he said.
“We’ve proved ourselves in the mud at Burleigh, on the big open grounds at Beenleigh and on the small grounds like Robina.
“So we are capable of winning anywhere, and we have that belief behind us.
“We’re not just a young footy team that goes well in the dry – we can slog it in any conditions.”
The Bull Sharks face Carrara once again on Saturday, with the winner going straight to the Grand Final.
The two sides are one win apiece from the regular season, and Kowald says the squad is confident heading in.
A large number of Bond players are still chasing their first premiership, including stars Miles Enders and Nick Francis, while Kowald himself hasn’t lifted a trophy since under-13s.
The chance to end that drought is driving the group.
“There is a great feeling going in. There’s confidence, but it hasn’t spilled over into arrogance,” Kowald said.
“Everyone is excited about the opportunity in front of us and there’s a buzz about finals footy, but everyone knows the challenge in front of us and that we’ll have to work hard to make it to a Grand Final.”
For Kowald, Bond has been the perfect place to grow both as a player and a student.
“I wasn’t too sure about the footy program when I came in – being a rugby state, I was a bit tentative,” he admitted.
“But it has really amazed me how good it is: the facilities, the high-level coaches, and the culture. The vibe around the club is really inclusive and it felt like I belonged right away.”
The Wesley College product chose Bond after a presentation at his school opened his eyes to the unique opportunities available.
“I liked the idea of a two-year course, and the chance to enjoy the Gold Coast lifestyle was appealing,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to get a leadership scholarship as well, which really helped me with the decision.”
And he’s enjoying his academic side as much as his footy.
“There are great teachers here at Bond and the university is very supportive,” Kowald said.
“And at the club, there are blokes who have done the subjects before who are always willing to help out.”