The Bull Sharks QFA side returns from the bye with a tricky assignment against a rapidly improving Tweed Tigers outfit down the coast at Barry Sheppard Oval.
Last time the teams met, Bond ground out a narrow win in difficult conditions—but this one shapes as an even bigger test. With ex-AFL coach Dean Solomon at the helm and a natural edge on their awkward home ground, the Tigers are a danger side brimming with belief. Fresh legs, especially from standout young trio Miles Enders, Tommy Bennett and Nick Francis, could prove the difference.
In the QAFLW, the Bull Sharks will travel to Hickey Park for a must-win clash against an in-form Wilston Grange. The Gorillas are flying after a 180-point demolition of Yeronga, and their slick outside run will test a Bond outfit that will be forced to make several changes due to injury.
QFA
Bull Sharks v Tweed Coast Tigers at Barry Sheppard Oval
Last time they met
Rd 6, 2025 at The Canal
Bull Sharks won 7.10 (52) - 5.8 (38)
It was won at the very end of the game. We were pressed by a very determined opposition in appalling conditions. The ground was a mud heap which we feel helped the opposition and limited the way we would naturally play. There were no excuses, Tweed did take it up to us in a fierce contest and nearly pinched the game off us. We won the game by scoring when we desperately needed too, late in the game.
The opposition
Tweed is a side on the improve. They are well drilled and well coached by highly regarded ex-AFL coach Dean Solomon. Their ground is quite an awkward ground to play on given its size and Tweed have a natural advantage on it. This is one of those games we need to be absolutely ready for given we are coming off a bye and they will be up for the fight and wanting a scalp.
The challenge
Tweed have had some very good results over the last two seasons down there and will be backing themselves against us on the weekend, it’s a real danger game for the men. They have some quality players on every line, are very team oriented and play a contested game. They play with genuine competitive effort.
Shuffling the magnets
We are hoping to gain a few players back. Our last outing at The Canal was a day we would rather forget on the injury front, as we lost a couple of our prime movers. Those players should be back in time for the finals, but with a ‘next man up’ mentality running through the group, other players will be ready to step up and take responsibility.
Ones to watch
Like most weeks the backline will be key to our success. It’s a relatively small ground so our back six will be under pressure. For the entire season they have stood up and we expect this to be the theme again this weekend. Our three young guns in Miles Enders, Tommy Bennett and Nick Francis will be fresh after a weekend off and will be firing on all cylinders which spells trouble for the opposition. These three in particular have been outstanding all season and impossible to match up on.
The focus
We need to get away to a strong start, build scoreboard pressure and not let them get their tails up. They are a side that plays on high emotion and usually have a large supporter base watching which adds to their momentum, especially if they start to get a run-on. We need to get on top early and build our game as we have done all season.
The final word
It’s a game we have pencilled in all year as a danger game. It's also a game we enjoy as Tweed are a traditional country footy club that play with passion and pride. The start is the key and killing off any belief Tweed might have as we have for the previous 13 rounds.
With Matthew Kennedy
QAFLW
Bull Sharks vs Wilston Grange at Hickey Park
Last time we met
Rd 7, 2025
Bull Sharks won 6.5 (41) - 4.6 (30)
It was built off uncontested possession which we won by 100. Our ability to get the ball to the outside and run and carry in wet, sloppy conditions was elite.
The opposition
Wilston Grange are coming off a 180-point win over Yeronga. They play a high energy game with plenty of speed and outside run and they’re in really good recent form.
The challenge
We need to regroup after last week’s effort, it was a really physical game, but we know we need to win our last four games to give ourselves the best chance of finishing high on the ladder. It presents an opportunity to bring the competitive spirit that we showed last week to Wilston Grange.
Shuffling the magnets
We have players out with injury - Leah Kaslar, Georgia Johnson, Chloe Smith and potentially Aleisha Withers. The girls playing well in the reserves - Halle Geyer, Madi Furlong and Tobi Champan, Izzy Lowe, Tilly Clarkson, and Chiara Nyhuis are all in the mix to play up with the seniors.
Ones to watch
Milly Ella and Aleah Stringer, both from the Suns Academy, are playing well. Kendra Blattman returned last week but had a quiet game so I’m really looking for her to rebound, she still leads the competition in goal kicking, so she’ll be keen to her maintain top spot.
The focus
We’ve got to take our Bull Sharks brand of footy to their home deck. We must put the disappointment of last week's loss behind us, and bring the same amount of energy and aggression that we had last week to this contest.
With Andy Lovell