by Grace Knight
The Bull Sharks AFL club faces a pincer movement from the north and south on Saturday when they defend home turf against the Southport Sharks and the Ballina Bombers.
Bond’s women and their Southport opponents are the top two teams on the QAFLW ladder.
Both teams are currently undefeated, meaning this weekend will decide the league’s true leader.
After a tough loss against Carrara last weekend, Bond’s senior men will also be hungry for a win against Ballina.
Whilst Burleigh remain the league’s undefeated ladder leaders, a victory at The Canal on Saturday will see them in with a chance to climb from second to first on the QFA Div 2 South ladder.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Last time they met
As the QAFLW’s only Gold Coast women’s teams, the rivalry between Bond and Southport has always been strong.
Their last match-up was last year’s preliminary final when Southport took a six-goal win.
Bond will look to make amends this weekend.
During the 2022 season, the senior men encountered Ballina twice.
In round 5, Bond claimed a 36-point win. The Bombers turned the tables in Round 16 by defeating the Bull Sharks 43-31.
New faces
There are plenty of changes for Bond’s women this week.
Director of AFL and senior women’s coach Andy Lovell says the Bull Sharks have lost ten players to the Gold Coast Suns Academy just this week alone.
“We’ll obviously see some extreme changes within our side but it’s a really exciting opportunity for some of the young guns who are coming up from the reserves,” Lovell said.
“At the end of the day, we’ve still got our really experienced core group including Paris Lightfoot, Courtney Sexton, Leah Kaslar, Grace Moody, Charlotte Taylor, and Lily Tarlington.
“They’re all still in and really eager.”
The Bull Sharks men will tackle Ballina largely unchanged.
Where it will be won
Lovell said consistent improvement will reap rewards for the women.
“Our mantra this season has been to keep educating ourselves on the game and continue improving our skills, so despite the significant changes it’s really just business as usual,” Lovell said.
Senior men’s head coach Luke Mansbridge recognises room for adjustment after last weekend’s loss.
“We were a bit undermanned in the ruck last week,” he said.
“We’re going to focus on our midfielders this week to ensure that part of the ground is solid because that’s where we’re getting beaten.”
Match Day Information
The Canal, Bond University Main Oval
12.00pm men’s reserves
2.00pm men’s seniors
4:45pm women’s seniors
6:45pm women’s reserves