by Jordan Hughes
The Bull Sharks will meet the Sunnybank Dragons in round 4 at The Canal.
The first-grade side are eager to get back to their winning ways against a Dragons side fresh off the bye.
It is also set to be an important day for the premier women who play the Dragons for the first time since an epic 2022 semi-final. Bond’s 13-12 victory in that tussle added another layer to the strong rivalry between the two clubs.
Last time they met:
It was round 11 2022 when the Dragons last travelled to The Canal and it was all about the Bull Sharks who won 40-0 with both wingers Max Dowd and Abele Atunaisa crossing for tries.
Incumbent flyhalf Tyler Campbell played his first game in the 10 jersey in more than four years that day, scoring two tries and directing the team around with confidence.
Where will it be won:
The men’s fixture will see two of the competition’s most electric backlines go head-to-head but Bull Sharks halfback Lachie McInnes says the key to success will be matching it with the Dragons forwards.
“They have big agile bodies and look to play an expansive style, offloading at high pace, so our defence is going to be key to slowing down their go-forward,” he said.
The Bull Sharks were disappointed with the effort against Brothers last week in gifting them opportunities to attack in Bond’s half.
“We are putting a real emphasis on our discipline this week and ensuring we don’t give Sunnybank any free rides into our half,” McInnes said.
On the premier women's front, captain Elisha Godsiff believes it's all about competing with Dragons in the physical game.
“We definitely need to be really efficient in our contact areas, especially around the breakdown and then continue to play free flowing expansive rugby,” she said.
Since Bond’s inception in the women's competition in 2020, the rivalry between the Dragons and the Bull Sharks has only grown which always guarantees a good show of running rugby.
“I think that one-point win we had over them last year would’ve added fuel to the fire, but they’ve been looking good so far this season so it’s going to be a good match up,” Godsiff said.
It’ll be a big day for:
Welshman Cam Lewis is set to have a big game. The inside centre has been making the 12 jersey his own in recent weeks and after not seeing much ball in round 3, look for him to deliver a big performance.
2023 recruit Jaz Topia continues to impress for the women's team and all the hard work that is being done behind the scenes is translating on the field in her physicality and work ethic. Keep an eye out for Topia this Saturday for the Bull Sharks.
Game times:
Colts two: 9:30am
Third grade: 10:50am
Colts one: 12:10pm
Second grade: 1:30pm
First grade: 3:05pm
Premier women: 4:50pm