The Bull Sharks kicked off the 2025 season with a bang securing strong wins across all grades in a QFA and QAFLW round one double header at The Canal.
QFA
Bull Sharks v Coomera at The Canal
Bull Sharks won 16.17 (113) to 4.3 (27)
How it was won
Following a nervous start, the team never looked challenged from the 15min mark of the first quarter. We tore the opposition to shreds and had winners on every line.
What you’re happy with
The way the team steadied showed significant maturity after an early challenge. After a long pre-season Coomera were always going to come out hard. They did exactly that, however we showed poise and an intent that blew them away.
Bull Sharks Footy
For 95 per cent of the day absolutely it was Bull Sharks Footy. If we can replicate that style of play all year we will be well placed. Cold, measured and high team care were the order of the day. The players looked like they were enjoying their footy and celebrating each other's performances.
Work to do
There is still plenty of work to do. There was some rust given our preparation has been interrupted due to the recent weather. Skill execution at times was poor although that will come together with more time dedicated to this area at training. Given we have had a significant turnover of personnel it will take a few weeks to find that synergy we are looking for.
Trademark players
There were a number of players that could easily fit into this category from the weekend. Matty Leskiw was outstanding in the ruck, Nick Francis through the midfield and Nick Bare were standouts. Jed Kowald, Oscar Pledge brought tackle and pressure, and Finlay Gray dominated across half back.
QAFLW
Bull Sharks v UQ
Bull Sharks won 7.9 (59) to 1.1 (7)
How it was won
We won this game through contested pressure, the girls were amazing around stoppage. We dominated stoppage clearances and our ball movement was elite with 36 inside 50 entries to UQ’s 13 for the game. Our defensive shape and pressure at the ball was excellent.
What made you happy
I was really happy with our synergy, because our preparation was severely interrupted. I wasn’t certain about how we were going to connect on offense, but we linked up well off half back. We switched the ball to the open side, and we were able to move the ball well. We won the contested footy really well against a pretty good contested ball team.
Bull Sharks Footy
We’re really hoping to play an exciting brand of offense off the back of really solid defensive shape and structure.
Work to do
We didn’t quite finish off our work inside 50 and score as efficiently as we wanted to. We just need to try and move the ball a bit quicker and get it inside 50 so that we can give our forwards a chance before the opposition numbers flood back.
Trademark players
Bronte Parker and Charlie Adamson were amazing in the contest and on the outside spread. Shannon Nolan dominated at stoppages, she had 16 clearances and was our highest possession winner on the ground with 32 possessions. Skye White as a key defender played her best game for the club and was well supported by Jemma Blair and Grace Moody.
With Andy Lovell