The Bond University AFL Club has burst out of the blocks in 2025 and are considered major premiership contenders.
There has been a changing of the guard down at The Canal with an influx of highly skilled students making a major contribution to the Bull Sharks’ 5-1 start to the season.
Director of AFL Andy Lovell admits to feelings of uncertainty over the summer as he, coach Kain Ford and Strength and Conditioning boss Matthew Kennedy mapped out what they predicted would be a transition year for the club.
But word of something special brewing spread through local, and interstate footy circles and the club found itself acting as a valuable recruitment tool for the University with close to 50 per cent of the playing list now made up of students.
“Season 2025 was seen by many as a transition year for the AFL men’s squad on the back of close to 30 players moving onto other things,” Lovell said.
“What has transpired has been remarkable in that the reset has seen an influx of many new highly talented players, many of whom are Bond students.
“There has been a tangible lift in training and playing standards across the entire group, with each player challenging themselves and their team mates to get better each and every session and game.
“No one could have predicted how quickly and successfully the squad would galvanise and evolve into the exciting and fiercely determined group that they are and having so many students with shared experiences and challenges has contributed massively to this.”
The Bond Sport media team asked a few of the star student footballers to share their thoughts on season 2025.
What makes the Bull Sharks click?
Nick Francis
“Over the off-season there was a change with players and coaches, so this year was going to look different. There are lots more uni boys playing which is good fun and Kain Ford taking over as head coach has been great for driving a really good culture of settings high standards and constantly improving whilst still having fun. The whole squad is really connected, and we genuinely love spending time with one another on and off the field. I think this connection and culture of working hard but having fun will hold us in good stead.”
Miles Enders
“The footy club has been an absolute joy to go into every week. We have a great mix of young emerging talent and senior more experienced players. The older boys are all incredible individuals who help guide and lead the younger group, while also having easy going personalities who are easily approachable. Everyone in the group is likeminded, motivated to win and eager to get the most out of each other...a great environment overall.”
Matthew Leskiw
“The club has a really positive environment and great culture which I can't speak to enough, it’s better than any sporting club (AFL or otherwise) I have been at in the past, which I think is credit to the older guys on the team that have been around for a long time and provide us younger blokes with good examples and great comradery.”
Does it help having a lot of students in the team?
Nick Francis
“It definitely helps having more students in the team. These are the lads I live with, have classes with, see every day and have dinner with, so we are all really close. Having that close bond and taking it onto the footy field makes a big difference. We know how to use each other’s strengths and back each other up. We do really push each other to improve, doing extra pre or post training, gym sessions, recovery and swimming in the pool. We work hard and all love footy and improving, so it's a good set up.”
Finlay Gray
“Ever since I've become part of the footy club I've been amazed by the elite standards and the competitive nature of the boys. We often hangout around campus together and it's definitely helped improve the culture as we have all become closer and that is reflected in us wanting to play for one another.”
Miles Enders
“Having so many students in the team has been awesome. Footy is a great escape for us to be able to switch off from the high stress environment that is university. Due to the high number of students athletes, we always see each other around the campus, and it allows us to catch up and review the game in our own sense. Simple activities such as going to eat or the gym with each other helps to create rapport amongst the boys and certainly impacts and helps drive the high standard culture that surrounds the club.”
Tell us about the coaching
Nick Francis
“Fordy has been awesome, he keeps the vibes up and about and challenges us when we need it. He’s really invested in the group and gives us a new theme for each week which is really beneficial. And Maxy (Matthew Kennedy), Harty (Shaun Hart), Buzz (Chris Burrell) and Andy (Lovell) have been great as well with their experience and knowledge of the game.”
Tommy Bennett
“It’s a pretty special coaching staff and is definitely one of our trump cards over other teams in the competition. I’m pretty keen to start getting in their ear and picking up as many pointers as possible.”
Finlay Gray
“All the coaches involved have been astonishing with the amount of effort they put in to keep all of us at high standards constantly and encouraging everyone to bring their best effort at all times.”
What have you made of the standard of the competition?
Nick Francis
“I’m now in my second season and I have a good feel of each of the teams and the level of competition. We respect every opponent and treat them all the same and focus on our way, Fordy has been big on this. Cooly, Burleigh and Carrara look strong this year, but we are confident we can beat them.”
Miles Enders
“The standard of the competition has surprised me. As soon as I began training and playing it became clear that the competition was of high standard and ultra-competitive, which excited me. Being tested by teammates and opponents has driven me to become better, not only individually but for the success of the team. All of my teammates at Bond have been great, everyone in the group is highly skilled and have a competitive nature. The club is also diverse with players coming from all over the country, such as Tommy Bennett and Ned Spiden from Tasmania, Felix Packer from SA, Jed Kowald from WA and NIck Francis from Melbourne to name a few.”
Why did you join Bond?
Miles Enders
“I joined Bond because of high wraps that came with it. Being able to live an incredible lifestyle on the Gold Coast while also attaining a degree and playing AFL at a high level is an amazing opportunity.”
Matthew Leskiw
“The choice to join the footy club was easy because I was planning to study at the University. I had known Matt Kennedy from my previous footy club at Broadbeach Cats, and he spoke to the merits of Bond footy club regarding the great culture, coaches and high standards, all things that I have now found to be true.”
