Bond University travel to Ashgrove this weekend for a round 17 clash against the GPS Gallopers who are desperate to keep their finals ambitions alive, while Bond are hunting for a maiden minor premiership.
Last time they met
It was round 9 at The Canal when these sides last battled it out and it went down to the wire with the Bull Sharks holding on to win 33-31.
Fijian flanker Rusiate Nasove played a big part in the win with two tries while winger Hamish Roberts kicked four out of five.
Where will it be won
Fullback Jayden Ngamanu has returned to the side in recent weeks and knows how threatening GPS will be this weekend.
“It’ll be tough playing GPS on their home ground. They have a really physical pack and a very dangerous back three, so matching up physically and being smart with our kicking game are going to be key factors,” he said.
Last weekend’s win over UQ was another heartstopper with the match coming down to the final moments.
“I just think we learnt that we need to be smarter with our kick options and our kick chase on both sides of the ball and really respect possession when we have it,” Ngamanu said.
The fullback has been a pivotal member of the club for the last few seasons and is loving the feeling in the group in 2023.
“It’s been a really good year being around everyone and the buy-in from the club this year has been great, you can see it on the field when we score a try or save one - everyone is sprinting in to celebrate with each other,” Ngamanu said.
The situation
The Bull Sharks sit at the top of the standings but a win is crucial this week to ensure a top-two finish, as well as the chance to claim the minor premiership for the regular season, with both Wests and Easts right on the Bull Sharks’ tail.
It’s a similar situation for the Premier Women with Bond sitting second on the ladder.
They take on a GPS side sitting in fifth and pushing for a finals berth.
A win for Bond over the Gallopers would all but ensure a top-two finish heading into the finals, and set up back-to-back grand finals.
The first grade men’s match this week is the match of the round and will be live on Nine Gem and Stan Sport, kicking off at 3:10pm.
Game Day timings
Colts two: 10:50am
Premier women: 10:50am
Third grade: 12:10pm
Colts one: 12:10pm
Second grade: 1:30pm
First grade: 3:10pm