Wildcat weekend for Bull Sharks netball

There’s plenty on the line for both Bull Sharks teams as they return to Nissan Arena for Round 6 fixtures against the South Brisbane Wildcats. 

After a tough start to the year, the Sapphire team is now in must-win territory. 

For the Ruby squad, a win will keep Bond in touch with the competition frontrunners.  

What’s in store

Bond’s Sapphire team pushed USC Thunder hard last week but couldn’t quite bring home their first competition points for the year. 

If Bond are to stay in touch with the top four in their return Sapphire season, Sunday night’s game is crucial.

They face last year’s wooden spooner, South Brisbane. There’s no way Bond will take them lightly. The Wildcats are much improved in ‘23 and arrive at this game fresh off a bye having beaten USC a few weeks back for their one and only victory this season. 

Coach Bec Stower says her team simply must turn up ready and raring to commit to a full four quarters. 

“The team has been progressively building, and now the time has come to put a consistent 60 minutes together,” she said.

“This round we must get points on the board.

“We will be looking to see Kaylin Van Greunen continue her form and Ella Spencer continue her defensive pressure and impact in attack transition. 

“We will need work hard to apply early pressure on the Wildcats attack end, as they have been building in confidence week to week and have been pushing teams.”

Bond’s Ruby team faces a different kind of opportunity against the Wildcats. 

After the Bull Sharks’ dual success across last weekend’s double-header, a strong win on Sunday could catapult Bond into fourth on the ladder and lay a great foundation for the rest of the season. 

Who to watch

With 37 goals, three offensive rebounds, a pair of assists and a pickup, Kaylin van Greunen was again the Bull Sharks’ best last week. Big things will again be expected of Bond’s young sharpshooter. 

Watch out too for midcourter Ocean Karekare. The former Queensland U17 and U19 player has been working extremely hard to find her feet at Sapphire level and her effort is due to pay off. 

It was all about the defenders at Ruby level last weekend. 

Skipper Molly Parry raked in five telling intercepts at WD during the Saturday game to go with 11 centre pass receives, a couple of pickups and a deflection. On Sunday, circle defender Tehya Hyssett’s barnstorming start to the season continued - she pulled in five intercepts of her own to go with four pickups, three rebounds and seven centre pass receives.  

If the Ruby defence again holds firm, the Wildcats could be in for a tough afternoon. 

Where and when

Ruby

Saturday May 23

Bond Bull Sharks v South Brisbane Wildcats at Nissan Arena (4.00pm)

Sapphire

Sunday May 23

Bond Bull Sharks v South Brisbane Wildcats at Nissan Arena (6.00pm)