The Bull Sharks men return to The Canal to host to an improved Robina Roos side featuring a couple of ex-AFL players. The side is fresh off the bye and in strong form after a comprehensive victory over Coomera before the break.
Our QAFLW side will make the long trip to the Sunshine Coast to take on Maroochydore in their quest for redemption after a dissapoiting loss in the Grand Final rematch with Aspley last week.
QFA
Bond v Robina at The Canal.
Last time they met:
Round 13, 2023 at Robina.
Bond won 12.9.(81) to 7.6.(48)
The opposition:
Robina have been super competitive so far this season and with the addition of a number of experienced ex AFL players in Matt Shaw (Suns) and Alwyn Davey (Essendon) they have challenged most sides each week. We will have to be right on our game as we look to consolidate our strong start to the season.
Shuffling the magnets:
As we are coming off the bye, we may be able to make some additions to our team. We will assess a number of players vying for selection including Riewoldt Family AFL Excellence Scholarship player Nick Francis who played with Suns VFL last week as well as Nathan Rataj, Hayden Carthew-Zimmer and Sam Bowen who are all returning from injury.
One to watch:
The player to watch is Tom Ferguson. Our 2023 Riewoldt Family AFL Excellence Scholarship player is building nicely into dangerous form across half forward. He presents the opposition with real headaches with his freakish goal kicking prowess.
The focus:
Returning from a bye can be tricky if we don’t bring real heat in the contest and continue to build on our ball use particularly going forward inside 50m to our leading forwards. So we will have a strong focus on that area of the game.
The final word:
Our entire mantra is built on “team first footy” and we will continue to search for consistency in that area. We love players who are focused entirely on what they can bring to the team on game day and throughout the week on and off the field.
QAFLW
Bull Sharks v Maroochydore.
Last time they met:
Round 8, 2023 at Maroochydore.
Bull Sharks won 5.8 (38) to 3.1 (19).
The opposition:
Maroochydore have improved significantly this season and present quite a challenge given that we play at their home ground. They are a fast-running team who move the ball quickly, so we have to be well set defensively.
Shuffling the magnets:
We won’t make wholesale changes to the team that lost to Aspley last week. Arianna Clark will miss due to work commitments, but we will gain Tahlia Meyer who missed last week due to family reasons. Tahlia will add much needed leg speed and footy smarts to our forward line.
On reflection:
We have an opportunity to show that we have learnt the harsh lessons from last match and are focussed on continuing to build our game style and to deliver on consistency of effort and performance.
One to watch:
Keep an eye on Imogen Evans in our midfield as she continues to build her match fitness and connectivity within our midfield group. Imogen is a very smart and skilful payer whose work rate in games is an inspiration to her teammates.
The focus:
Our team focus never changes too much from week to week. We ask for;
- Uncompromising contest in and around ball.
- Use the ball with smarts and flair when possible.
- Come forward to defend when the opposition have the ball.
- Play your role in and around stoppages and in the team structure.
- Trademark effort for and with your teammates.
The final word:
Our message to our players is simple, regardless of the score board hold your trust in the processes and deliver on what you say you are going to deliver. And to enjoy each challenge as it comes.
With Andy Lovell.