Both Bull Sharks squads went one from two from the weekend’s double header - but the loss to Ruby hurt with the squad now out of finals contention.
Kicking off at Nissan Arena on Saturday afternoon, the Ruby squad dominated against the Panthers in a disciplined and committed performance.
The Sapphire squad had their first loss in five weeks against a physical Thunder side.
On Sunday the teams returned to Carrara for their only home game of the season where they received strong support from Bull Shark fans and supporters.
Unfortunately the Ruby team had a nail biting loss against a very physical Wildcats’ side in a game that was neck and neck until the closing minutes.
The Sapphire squad bounced back from Saturday night’s disappointment to dominate over the Wildcats, with Kaylin van Greunen sinking 63 goals and Lauren Aubrey putting up an impressive defensive effort against Wildcats’ import Charlie Bell.
But Saturday’s loss means they are now on equal points with Cougars but sit in second place with inferior percentage.
Sapphire Wrap
Bull Sharks v Thunder at Nissan Arena
Bull Sharks lost 77 – 71
Bull Sharks v Wildcats at Carrara Stadium
Bull Sharks won 83-54
How it played out
The loss to Thunder was frustrating. We didn’t necessarily play poorly, but they disrupted our flow by drawing repeated penalties through court, forcing stoppages and resets that broke our momentum. Against Wildcats, we faced a similar scenario but adapted—adjusting our preliminary work to keep ball speed high and executing our trademark transitional play with precision.
What made you happy
I’m incredibly proud of how the girls bounced back on Sunday. From the disappointment of Saturday to delivering a strong four-quarter performance, this was a statement win that keeps us tied for first on the ladder. It shows their resilience, unity, and ability to quickly refocus on the task at hand.
Bull Sharks Netball
Sunday’s game was a clinical execution of our game plan. We adapted seamlessly to Wildcats’ late-season inclusions, stayed process-driven, and delivered exactly what we set out to achieve.
The work to do
Two games remain in the regular season. We’re locked into the top 4, but our goal is still to finish in the top two, so these results matter.
Trademark Players
Kaylin van Greunen was unstoppable, sinking 63 goals against Wildcats. Lauren Aubrey was outstanding defensively, holding import Charlie Bell to just 33 goals despite a significant height mismatch.
With Rebecca Stower
Ruby
Bull Sharks v Panthers at Nissan Arena
Bull Sharks won 58 – 47
Bull Sharks v Wildcats at Carrara Stadium
Bull Sharks lost 53 - 49
How it played out
The win against the Panthers was a testament to the team's focus and discipline. The girls stayed connected, communicated well, and delivered a composed, structured performance from start to finish.
However, the loss to the Wildcats was a tough one to take, especially with so much riding on the result. The match became increasingly physical and at times, uncontrolled, which made it difficult to find our rhythm. With the addition of three Sapphire players into the Wildcats team, it certainly was a challenging contest.
What made you happy
I’m incredibly proud of this playing group. Double headers are always demanding, both mentally and physically, and this weekend was no exception. We were certainly faced with challenges beyond our control against the Wildcats, but despite the loss, the girls rose above it. We can stand tall knowing we pushed them right to the end — even with the inclusion of their Sapphire players.
Bull Sharks Netball
I'm proud to say that this weekend once again highlighted how clean and clinical our team and club are. While that can sometimes mean being outmatched physically, I’m proud that we continue to stay true to our brand of netball. We’re not getting drawn into the chaos or tactics of other teams — instead, we're playing with integrity and letting our skill speak for itself, rather than resorting to unnecessary physicality just to win.
The work to do
Although we're now out of finals contention, our focus remains the same. With two games left in the regular season, our goal is to finish strong, continue building on our progress, and end on a high note.
Trademark Player
Zavaniah Lenihan, one of our young training partners, made her debut for the Ruby team over the weekend and had an immediate impact. It’s a true testament to the strength of our pathways program and the hard work Zavaniah has been putting in at training. We're incredibly proud of her achievement.
With Kim Boland