The reigning premier Bull Sharks have advanced to a QAFLW elimination final against Coorparoo after a solid victory over UQ in the final round.
The reserves were also victorious to earn the second chance in the finals. They’ll play Southport in the qualifying final.
The men lost a nailbiter to Carrara to drop to fourth on the QFA ladder with two rounds to play.
QAFLW
Bull Sharks v UQ at UQ.
Bull Sharks won 6.10 (46) to 3.2. (20)
Best: Nyalli Milne, Ella Calleja, Christy Landwehr, Leah Kaslar, Paris Lightfoot, Skye White
Where it was won:
After a bruising opening quarter, we were able to stabilise our centre bounce and stoppage clearance work and readjust our forward structure on the small, odd shaped UQ ground. Inaccurate kicking for goal stopped us winning more convincingly.
The highlight:
Ella Calleja kicking a career high four goals from half forward was the highlight. She took a number of excellent contested marks.
What made you happy:
It was our ability to absorb UQ’s physicality and run. Our girls were hard and tough in the contest and as the game wore on they were able to control the tempo of the game. I was particularly pleased with our defence. Everyone in our back six played really strong disciplined games and repelled multiple UQ forays into their forward 50m.
Bull Sharks Footy:
Once we adjusted to the size and shape of the ground, we controlled the match and created multiple shots on goal. Our contest and hard gut running to win the uncontested ball was a highlight once again as we build towards finals footy in two weeks’ time.
The work to do:
Our ground ball gathers under pressure and connection by hand will be a focus at training as we refine our style of play for the elimination final against Coorparoo.
Trademark Player:
Our captain Paris Lightfoot was back to her ultra-competitive best on the weekend, winning many one-on-one contests and rebounding out of our defensive 50m with speed and precision.
Reserves:
Bull Sharks won 6.5 (41) to 1.6 (12)
Best: Sarah Heptinstall, Aleah Stringer, Jasmine Single, Tobi Chapman, Grace Ella, Isabella Iverach
QFA
Bull Sharks v Carrara.
Bull Sharks lost 9.10 (64) to 9.9 (63)
Best: Jack O'Shea, Darcy Dienjes, Ryan Dienjes, Felix Packer, Wyatt Bacon.
Where it was won:
In a game that was always going to be a massive challenge the team started the day with a bang skipping away to a handy lead. However, we were the complete opposite in the second quarter giving up easy goals and giving the opposition a handy lead going into half time and that quarter cost us. To Bond’s credit we came back through grit and nearly pinched the lead in the final minute of the game. The group were devastated although super proud of the way the team came back to almost win the game.
The highlight:
Two players who made their Bond senior debut in Jack O’Shea and Darcy Dienjes were outstanding. Dienjes playing down back with O’Shea running through the midfield were in the best few players on the ground. These two players will make our team much better as we enter the finals race.
What made you happy:
The way the team fought back to get within a kick of winning the game after being well beaten for two quarters. It showed enormous character and will steel the group against the best team in the competition this coming week in Burleigh.
Bull Sharks footy:
For most of the game the way we played made coach Shaun Hart very happy. We maintained a very high standard with winers in all parts of the ground. However, we cannot afford to have the lapses we have had in the previous few weeks to be any chance in the finals.
The work to do:
Like every week get to work during the week, train hard and make sure we are at our best against the best this weekend. A win this weekend would be massive as we enter our finals campaign. Burleigh have a very good game style that is hard to match we need to know that style inside and out and then back our talent to match them.
Trademark Player:
Darcy Dienjes was the Trademark Player this week. His efforts in defence were outstanding. He took many intercept marks and used the ball very well setting up teammates up the ground.
Reserves:
Bull Sharks won 13.9 (87) to 2.7 (19)
Best: Luke Manns, Joshua Clark, Alex Crow, Oliver Burrows-Cheng, William Cooper.