Footy returns to The Canal for the first time in 2025 this weekend with a round one QFA and QAFLW double header.
There have been major personnel changes across both programs.
Director of AFL Andy Lovell says the QAFLW squad is in a rebuilding phase after losing a host of premiership players to the AFLW while the QFA squad has been bolstered by the arrival of a handful of exciting students.
QFA
Bull Sharks v Coomera
Last time we met
Rd 16, 2024 at Coomera
Bull Sharks won 24.7 (151) to 3.3 (21)
It was the final round before the finals last year. We were very strong that day and recorded a very convincing win.
The Opposition
By all report the Coomera Magpies will be much improved this season. The word around the competition is that they have recruited strongly over the off-season. Coomera have always been a competitive opponent because they are tough, but they have lacked some polish. We look forward to testing ourselves against them this weekend on our home deck and getting off on a winning note.
The Challenge
The challenge for our group is the unknown with Coomera. We can’t assume it will be the same as last time we played them. We know they will challenge us by playing a very contested game to limit our run, we need to back our system and back our talent.
The Focus
We want to kill off the opposition early. We cannot afford to get in a congested battle with this opposition as it will turn it into a game that suits their style. We need to use our run and skill level to score early and build from there. We should go in confident given the work we have done and connection we have built over the preseason period.
Shuffling the magnets
We will have a full list to pick from this week so there will be some disappointed players. We will pick the best side possible to get the season away with a W.
Ones to watch
There is much excitement around our young student recruits, Riewoldt Family AFL Excellence Scholar Finlay Gray, Miles Enders, Tommy Bennett and Max Cruse. All these players are highly talented and hungry to play for Bond. Some other notable recruits and loyal servants like Dan Middleton, Jack Avage, Will King, Taj Cadle, Ned Spiden have all had exceptional preseasons and are ready to fire come Saturday.
QAFLW
Bull Sharks v UQ
Last time we met
Round 14, 2024 at University of Queensland  
Bull Sharks won 6.10 (46) to 3.2 (20)
The Opposition
We don’t know much about UQ’s list build this year, but we expect them to be a tough opponent. They play a tough contested brand of footy, and they are a really fast speedy running team as well. They present a couple of challenges because if you allow them, they can get you on the inside and they can move the ball quickly on the outside. We’ve been working hard on our game plan to counter both.
The Challenge
The big challenge for us is we’ve had a huge turnover of players, given we had girls drafted and a number of girls have moved interstate looking for opportunities in the VFLW. Our captain and vice-captain have also retired, so our challenge is to build connection with the new group, we’re excited about giving our younger, less experienced players more exposure to senior footy. The weather hasn’t allowed us to play any more than one practice game pre-season, so we haven’t been able to really build that connection leading into round one. On a positive note, we have trained well, so now it’s a wait and see because we haven’t had those practice games.
The Focus
Just to get the fundamentals of our game plan down. Our contested footy is a strong focus and the way that we exit stoppages because it's a critical part of the game. Overall, we’re looking to build strong shape, so we have to focus on our offence and defence.
Shuffling the magnets
All of our 10 academy girls are available for selection, and we have a fairly healthy list so there are some very big challenges around selection this week. Not having played many practice matches means it's hard to get a forward line through pre-season. Kendra Blattman who we recruited from Sydney Uni will play on the weekend and ex-Suns academy player, Skye White has had a terrific pre-season. I’m looking forward to seeing Tobi Champman spend some time through the midfield.
Ones to watch
Shannon Nolan our reigning best and fairest has had a great pre-season. Ella Calleja is the fittest she's been in the past three years at the club. Georgia Johnson has just come back from playing in a Grand final for Nightcliff in the Northern Territory AFLW and she’s come back in great form so we’re expecting big things from her.
With Andy Lovell