Following their hard fought 21-point win over Aspley, the Bull Sharks women’s seniors are sweating on the fitness of two key players for their final match of the regular season against Maroochydore.
Emily Otto in the backline and Jasmyn Davidson in the ruck pulled up sore this week and are a 50-50 chance to play, which could pave the way for two reserves players to step up.
Despite the fitness concerns the team is looking forward to a spirited bus trip to Brisbane’s Leyshon Park which is hosting every game of Pride Round.
LAST TIME THEY MET
The round 9 match between the Bull Sharks and Maroochydore Roos ended in a nail-biting 15-all draw to mark the halfway point of the QAFLW season.
The teams were tightly matched in the first quarter which concluded with eight points apiece and the scoreboard was unchanged in the second quarter.
Bond went into the final 20 minutes with one point on Maroochydore but the Roos kicked a behind in the dying minutes to level the final score.
NEW FACES
Otto and Davidson will need to get through tonight’s training session to be cleared to play.
With the reserves side going from strength to strength up to eight players are waiting in the wings to play seniors.
However, Bull Sharks coach Luke Mansbridge does not want players out of their comfort zone.
“We’ll l just have to look at it positionally,” said Mansbridge.
“I don’t want to bring girls up and play them out of position I want to make sure they’re playing similar roles they play in the reserves.”
Ruck Abbey Bevan was named best on ground in the reserves 99-point win over Aspley for her silver service tap work to the Bull Sharks midfielders.
Her teammates in the backline, Zoe O’Sullivan and Kylie McMullen are also in contention.
WHERE IT WILL BE WON
It will all start in the midfield for Bond.
For the last two rounds players in the engine room have been tenacious with supplying the forward line who have been able to kick winning scores against Southport and Aspley.
“If they continue to play that way, we will be hard to beat because we are hard to score against,” said Mansbridge.
“I still want them to be aggressive and take the game on and play our way because I don’t think many other clubs play the way we do when we have the footy, so I want them to continue to do that.
“We were challenged in the last quarter against Aspley but we responded really strongly and there was good leadership. It’s good to have those types of games at this time of the year because it steels you for finals time.”
Mansbridge said his players won’t need any motivation to perform in their last match of the home and away season.
“There’s a real atmosphere at Pride Round and our players get right behind it. It’s important we support these sorts of days and the QAFLW do a great job with organising it.”
ONE TO WATCH
Teagan Tatlock is coming off a best on ground performance against Aspley and when the game was on the line in the final quarter her tireless attack proved the difference.
Her commitment in the midfield group is an inspiration to her teammates.
IF WE WIN/LOSE
Due to the extremely tight ladder, there are several scenarios which could impact how the Bull Sharks wrap up the regular season.
If they win, they will finish second on the ladder and lock in a second chance during finals.
They can also finish on top if the University of Queensland is beaten by Aspley, which Mansbridge believes is a real possibility if the Hornets bring their A-Game.
If the Bull Sharks lose, they could finish fourth on the ladder, however there is no chance they can drop out of the top four.
IN OTHER GAMES
The women’s reserves are favourites to beat Maroochydore having won their past five matches.
The men’s teams are away to Coolangatta Tweed Heads.
Senior’s coach John Chenhall said his players need to be in the right mindset to be consistent across all four quarters at a hostile ground.
“We will have a talk about how we respond under pressure. This is going to be a finals type atmosphere,” he said.
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
QAFLW round 16
Seniors Bull Sharks vs Maroochydore Roos 2:00pm Saturday (Leyshon Park)
Reserves Bull Sharks vs Maroochydore Roos 3:40pm Saturday (Leyshon Park)
QFA round 14
Reserves Bull Sharks vs Coolangatta Tweed 12:00pm Saturday (Eximm Oval)
Seniors Bull Sharks vs Coolangatta Tweed 2:00pm Saturday (Eximm Oval)
Team lists are posted to the Bond University AFL Facebook page on Friday mornings following training on Thursday nights.