Brotherly bond driving a premiership pursuit

Ollie Burrows-Cheng is hoping history repeats.

Ten years ago, Bond AFL veteran Eddie Burrows-Cheng ran out alongside his fellow Bull Shark teammates in a grand final against the South East Suns. 

It was the side’s first year in a new division, and they were considered the underdogs and the unknowns. 

And in 2025 after a turnover of close to 30 players, the same could be said about the current crop of Bull Sharks. 

On that September day in 2015, the Bull Sharks victorious with a 31-point victory over the Suns.  

This Saturday, in the QFA grand final against Coolangatta, it is Ollie’s chance to join his brother as a Bull Sharks premiership player.   

He arrived at The Canal from Southport in 2023, and immediately realised he had some big shoes to fill. 

His older brother affectionately known as ‘EBC’ is part of the club’s DNA. A member of the club in its formative years, a 2015 premiership player and former club president.  

“It pretty special, you walk into the club rooms, and you see Eddie’s name on the board up there,” Ollie said. 

“You wouldn't want to tell him it's been 10 years; he might feel a bit old.” 

Eddie now lives back in the brothers’ hometown of Hobart. And although his glory days at the Bull Sharks are behind him, he still pulls on his footy boots to play with his local club the Huonville Lions.  

“Eddie still plays footy,” Ollie said.  

“We were actually lucky enough to have a game together earlier in the year, when I flew down for his birthday.  

“I didn’t think we would ever play together again.” 

The shared relationship with the Bull Sharks footy club helps keep the brothers close together even though they are miles apart.  

“A big reason I made the move to Bond was because of Eddie, he speaks very highly of the club and his days here,” Ollie said.  

“It's been a pretty great decision to come down to Bond, and I've loved it for my now three seasons. 

“It’s one of the best footy cultures I've been around. 

“To see the growth over the last year, has been amazing. We’ve had a lot of young talent come in, and then some of the boys who were here last year have stepped up and started to take the reins and become young leaders themselves.  

“It's a group of people who are very selfless and we only really want one thing and that's to win a premiership.” 

And now he’s presented with that chance. On Saturday the Bull Sharks will take on reigning premiers Coolangatta in the big dance at Broadbeach Oval.  

“I'm excited about Saturday, I just can't wait to get out there with the boys.”