Bond QAFLW crystal ball: The Bulletin runs the rule over the Bull Sharks and makes our 2020 predictions

As Bond University prepare to fight their way back into the QAFLW grand final, the Bulletin has pulled out our crystal ball and made our predictions for the season ahead. From the surprise packet to the rising star and the game you have to watch, we cover it all in our season preview.

As Bond University prepare to fight their way back into the QAFLW grand final, the Bulletin has pulled out our crystal ball and made our predictions for the season ahead. From the surprise packet to the rising star and the game you have to watch, we cover it all in our season preview.

BULL SHARKS COUP: BOND SIGN AFLW HISTORY MAKER ON EVE OF SEASON

The Bond University Bull Sharks train ahead of their 2020 QAFLW campaign. SUPPLIED.

Overview

Coach: Shane Atkins

2019 review: The Bull Sharks lost only three games throughout the regular season and continued their dominant run in finals only to fall by 76 points against Coorparoo in the grand final. For a second year QAFLW side, Bond exceeded expectations but also had the list to match. They also overcame an important mental hurdle when they defeated Yeronga South Brisbane in week one of finals, the only team they failed to defeat all season.

HOW BOND PLAN TO BOUNCE BACK FROM QAFLW GRAND FINAL HEARTBREAK

Star recruits:

Delma Gisu: Former GWS Giant and Suns Winter Series team member. Predicted to play as an outside midfielder and across both forward and back flanks.

Krystal Scott: Former Brisbane Lions AFLW rookie and Norfolk State University tennis scholarship holder. Powerful overhead mark. Boasts elite endurance and athleticism.

Former Lions rookie Krystal Scott (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

Shae Gundlach: A tall defender who has shown maturity and leadership after coming across from the SANFLW. She has recovered well from injury and positions herself well at every contest. Set to replace Kristyl Smith in defence.

Lily Tarlington: The Suns’ academy product has been making a name for herself in Mackay for the City Hawks but has now relocated to the Gold Coast for work. The tall forward can also pinch hit in the ruck.

2020 opponents: Coolangatta (h), University of Queensland (h), Wilston Grange (a), Yeronga South Brisbane (a), Aspley Hornets (h), Coolangatta (a), Yeronga South Brisbane (h), Coorparoo (a), Wilston Grange (h), Coolangatta (a), Maroochydore (a), Yeronga South Brisbane (h), University of Queensland (a), Maroochydore (a), Aspley Hornets (a), Coorparoo (h)

THE BOND UNI TEAM WHO WILL DEFEND PREMIERSHIP

Rising star: A former Queensland state basketballer, Wallis Randall has come in leaps and bounds. Despite being new to the game, the Mackay product played six games for the QAFLW side and four for the development team last year. Randall was a standout for Bond when they played Coolangatta in the pre-season. A running defender, she reads the game well and still has a lot of improvement to come.

Surprise packet: She played 11 QAFLW games last season, but a positional move has Lucinda Pullar primed for another big season. The former Brisbane Roar midfielder gave soccer away to focus on footy and has speed to burn. After playing as a defender last year, Bond plan to employ the medicine student in the midfield this season.

Lucinda Pullar gave up a burgeoning soccer career to focus on a Medicine degree at Bond University. Picture: Cavan Flynn

Watch it: Grab a pen and circle April 25. When Bond meets Coorparoo in Round 8, it will mark exactly 244 days since the Bull Sharks were defeated by the Kings to the tune of 76 points in the QAFLW grand final. Bonds’ desire for vengeance would have been gradually building with each passing day and it will have almost hit fever pitch by the time the grand final rematch rolls around.

Bond University and Coorparoo did battle in the 2019 QAFLW Grand Final Picture: Jason O'Brien

You heard it here first…the headline you’ll see this QAFLW season: Young talent time: Bull Sharks’ next generation inspires early with the absence of AFLW stars

I hope not…the headline you won’t see this QAFLW season: Boy oh boy Bond: 2019 QAFLW benchmark fails to make finals.

SMALL TIME TO RISING STAR: EPIC GROWTH OF SUN

2020 prediction: Anything less than finals will be a disappointment for Bond given the list and depth of talent they possess. The Bull Sharks will be better off for their 2019 heartbreak and boast some of the best young talents in the league. We’re tipping them to go deep into finals again once they regain their AFLW listed talents.