![Matthew Smith](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2023-04/Matthew%20Smith.jpg?itok=L71tM1Qm)
The Bull Sharks QFA side returns to The Canal for a showdown with the competition’s form side, the Blues.
The task is no easier for our QAFLW girls who take on premiership favourites Aspley.
QFA
Bull Sharks v Coolangatta.
Last time they met:
Rd 7, 2024 at Coolangatta
Bull Sharks lost 12.9 (81) to 9.11 (65)
Best: Liam Viney, Felix Packer, Nick Bare, Mitchell Dell, Nathan Rataj, Oliver Burrows-Cheng
The opposition:
This week we play Coolangatta who are the form team of the competition and the ones to beat currently. They have a very well-balanced team across the board, with elite midfield talent and a forward line stacked with goal kickers. They have beaten all comers this season and would be the flag favourites currently.
Shuffling the magnets:
We should welcome back the majority of our defensive six who by chance were all away last week. We should also see the return of our key midfielder Nathan ‘Rat’ Rataj who is coming back from a hamstring injury. He will be a great addition to the midfield mix.
Ones to watch:
Matty Smith, Nick Scott, Kain Ford and Liam Viney have been in rare form and continue to play terrific footy. The high level the lads have been playing at will be a must this week against the toughest opposition we have faced in a month.
The focus:
We need to win the midfield battle to give ourselves any chance of winning. Their midfield is the best in the competition. If we can match them in this area and give good supply to our forwards, we will give ourselves every opportunity to win the game. They also have two key forwards who are known goal kickers therefore we need to nullify their supply as much as possible. Like most weeks this year we simply cannot afford to switch off at any stage. Too many times this season we have let the foot off the gas and given the opposition a chance to get back into the game or an opportunity to win the game. We will need to be at our best to beat this side on the weekend.
The final word:
This should be a cracking game of footy with two in form teams battling it out. There is much at stake for the Bull Sharks if we win, we will give ourselves a shot at a top 2 finish which is massive for our chances at the back end of the season.
QAFLW
![Imogen Evans](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-06/Imogen%20Evans.jpg?itok=N6rhMTXS)
Bull Sharks v Aspley.
Last time they met:
Rd 5, 2024 at The Canal.
Bull Sharks lost 7.5 (47) to 3.2 (20)
Best: Shannon Nolan, Maisy Evans, Imogen Evans, Courtney Sexton, Ella Calleja, Jasmyn Davidson
The opposition:
Aspley, they have only lost one game this season. They are the pace setters, a well-balanced team full of speed and skill and with the competition’s leading goal kicker at full forward. They present a challenge, as they have consistently been able to select the same girls each week.
Shuffling of magnets:
We have four of our key players, Jasmyn Davidson, Arianna Clarke, Imogen Evans and Abbey Bevan listed for fitness tests. If they come back, it will be a significant boost to our side.
We will go in with the same team that defeated Wilston Grange if these players don’t pass the fitness tests on Thursday training.
Ones to look out for:
Isabella Davies made her senior debut last week and we are looking forward to seeing her back up for her second game. Sunny Hewett, one of our Suns Academy players, is back in the team after missing 6 weeks with a knee injury and has performed solidly. Tshinta Kendall was also solid last week on her return to the seniors.
The focus:
We need to be able to match them on the inside at the contest, but also make them defend on the outside by switching the ball to the open side and trying to link up with our runners.
The final word:
With three games to go before finals it is important that we continue to build our synergy and connection between offence and defence. We still have hopes of finishing in the top two and earning the coveted second chance but to do that we have to complete the small feat of winning the remaining three games.
With Andy Lovell.