By Grace Knight
With positions in the top four secured, the Bull Sharks men’s sides have switched their focus to ensuring finals will be played at The Canal.
Bond are comfortably in the top three in all grades across QFA and QAFLW competitions, however all but the senior women’s side must use the remaining home-and-away games to secure top two positions to ensure a home ground advantage in the first week of the finals.
While the senior men are the current QFA ladder leaders, they must claim victory in this weekend against Coolangatta if they hope to maintain their lead.
Bond, Burleigh, and Carrara have each won 11 games and lost 2, meaning a loss to Coolangatta would potentially send the Bull Sharks down to third place.
On the other hand, the senior women have cemented their second-place on the ladder and secured a home ground final.
This weekend’s match against the University of Queensland will be hard-fought as UQ sit one position outside of the finals cut line.
Here’s what you need to know.
Last time they met
The senior men last faced Coolangatta in round 6 where Bond took down the Blues on Cooly’s trying home turf and walked away with a commanding win and a scoreline of 80-36.
Meanwhile, the senior women last met UQ in round 9 where the Bull Sharks secured a narrow 38-29 victory.
Focus points
Senior men’s coach Luke Mansbridge has been emphasising the need for consistency and concentration.
“Since losing some of our key players to injury we’ve been playing in patches,” Mansbridge said.
“Our mid to forward connection is really struggling, so we’ve got to come up with a solution to rebuild this area.”
Senior women’s head coach Andy Lovell knows UQ will be eager to prove themselves, especially after their recent victory against Aspley.
The focus of the team has been improving ball movement out of their back half with the aim of setting up attacking plays.
Injury and availability news
The senior women will once again be without the services of six state players.
However, each of these representatives will be making a permanent return just in time for the Bull Sharks’ finals campaign, commencing next week.
After missing out on last week’s game, Lily Tarlinton and Jasmyn Davidson are both expected to be available, providing a critical boost.
On the men’s side, star backline player Will King will miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder dislocation suffered in round 12.
Meanwhile, the team is hopeful key forward Jack Tilley will recover from his broken jaw in time for the first round of finals.
Match information
Saturday, July 29
Bond University Main Oval
12:00pm men’s reserves
2:00pm men’s seniors
4:45pm women’s seniors
6:45pm women’s reserves