Bond QAFLW report card: Our highlight, lowlight, star, burning question and more
With Bond University’s QAFLW season coming to an abrupt end against the Yeronga Devils on Saturday, the Bulletin runs the rule over the Bull Sharks 2020 campaign including our highlight, lowlight, star, rising star, and our burning question. READ OUR FULL SUMMARY.
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WITH Bond University’s QAFLW season coming to an abrupt end against the Yeronga Devils on Saturday, the Bulletin runs the rule over the Bull Sharks 2020 campaign including our highlight, lowlight, star, rising star, and our burning question.
OVERVIEW
Result: 1st on the ladder before finals with nine wins, one loss, and two draws (matches against Maroochydore and Wilston Grange were abandoned, meaning they were listed as draws).
Grade: A‑
After being embarrassed by Coorparoo in the 2019 QAFLW grand final, 2020 was meant to be the Bull Sharks crack at redemption. Bond had a mixed start to the season, going down to Coolangatta in the final few seconds of their Round 1 clash before enjoying a win against the University of Queensland in Round 2. Their Round 3 clash against Wilston Grange was abandoned due to COVID-19 AFLW curtain-raiser regulations and from there Bond was forced to wait and hope their season would be revived. The Bull Sharks went undefeated in their remaining nine games to secure top spot on the ladder and a preliminary final before it all came crashing down against Yeronga, the Devils booting Bond on the eve of the grand final. Bond will spend the next few months licking their wounds before hoping third time is the charm in their quest for a QAFLW premiership.
THE HIGHLIGHT
There weren’t too many occasions throughout the season Bond encountered a genuine challenge to their winning streak. So a hard-fought victory over the University of Queensland in Round 8 came as a welcome challenge. While the 50-20 final scoreline suggests differently, the Bull Sharks had to fend off a spirited UQ challenge in the first half at Saint Lucia on Saturday before adding three goals in the third quarter to run away with the match. Coach Luke Mansbridge dished out a spray at half time and his side responded in a good test of resilience and where their weaknesses resided.
THE LOWLIGHT
While their sole loss of the regular season to Coolangatta in Round 1 would have hurt, Bond’s lowlight would have to be the fact they missed the chance to play two games of footy entirely. In Round 3, Bond had an incredible opportunity to take on Wilston Grange in a curtain-raiser to the Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood AFLW clash. But that weekend, the AFLW banned crowds from attending due to the growing threat of COVID-19 and so the match was abandoned. Later in Round 7, Bond’s contest against Maroochydore was scrapped when a player was awaiting a COVID-19 test. In a year lacking in footy, losing out on two matches and the chance to further develop your brand is a bitter blow. For obvious reasons,
Bond’s 72-37 preliminary final loss to Yeronga also features highly
X-FACTORS: WHO CAN CHANGE THE GAME FOR BOND
THE STAR
You could just about list half the team the way Bond’s individuals stood up at various points throughout the season. But if we had to choose one, it would have to Lucy Single. Known for ripping teams apart with her skill and agility out of the backline, Single’s ball-winning ability is second to none and she will likely join a number of her teammates on an AFLW list later this year. Taylor Smith is also likely to poll heavily as one of the competition’s most dangerous forwards while Lauren Bella, Annie Muir, and Lucinda Pullar were also among Bond’s best.
MS CONSISTENT
Bond’s backline as a whole was one of the most consistent parts of their game in 2020. Boasting speed and skill, the defensive half only conceded 146 points for the entire season, the lowest in the league. As an enduring member of the backline, Krystal Scott’s return to footy was outstanding. A member of the 2017 premiership side and former Brisbane Lions rookie, Scott battle injury last year but returned in 2020, often playing on bigger bodies and doing the job week in week out. It wouldn’t be a surprise if AFLW clubs came sniffing once more.
RISING STAR
You may as well drop the rising, Maddison Levi is already matching it with and outperforming some of the QAFLW’s elite talent. Levi’s aerial prowess and ball-winning ability in the forward line was a highlight, seeing her finish with five goals for the year. The next question is will she choose to pursue AFLW or international rugby 7s? Her little sister Tegan is pretty hand as well.
BURNING QUESTION
Does Bond boast the experience to stand up in the heat of finals? For the past two years at least, the answer has been no. Don’t get us wrong, the Bull Sharks have put together one of the QAFLW’s most talented young lists. But what they lack is several experienced and level heads who can settle the group when the going gets tough which both Coorparoo (2019 grand final opponent) and Yeronga South Brisbane (2020 preliminary final opponent) have in spades. But featuring consistently in finals like they have for the past two years will give the group a necessary crash course in what it takes to stand up in the heat of battle. It should all come together next year for Bond.
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