Bond University QAFLW players are busier than ever despite a league wide shutdown

Their season is on hold but Bond University QAFLW players are busier than ever.

THEIR season is on hold but Bond University QAFLW players are busier than ever.

The Bull Sharks managed to get away two rounds of the season and were due to play a third as a curtain-raiser to the Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood AFLW clash before COVID-19 restrictions hit and their season was put on hold.

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But no footy hasn’t stopped Bond on their march towards QAFLW finals, the Bull Sharks instead finding creative ways to motivate themselves and each other as the possibility of a restart becomes more likely by the day.

The Bond University Bull Sharks huddle up during their round 1 clash. Pic: Jessy Hart

In a bid to stay fit and motivated, the girls have united to run a combined 1697km - the distance from the university to the MCG in Melbourne after the men’s team successfully ‘ran’ there last month.

Trick shots, TikToks, hot cross bun recipes, strength and conditioning zoom sessions and video chat check-ins have also filled the footy void as the Bull Sharks remain in fighting fit condition ahead of a season restart.

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“We’ve probably been as busy, if not busier without footy,” said Bond head coach Shane Atkins.

“We wanted to try and engage the girls continuously because we were concerned about the impacts this time might have on mental health so we’ve been very busy coming up with ways of staying in touch.

“The boys said they would run to the MCG so we said okay we’ll run back so we’ve been collating our kilometres once a week to see where we’re at.”

Bond Sharks coach Shane Atkins. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Players have also been encouraged to reflect on their favourite Bond AFL memories and share them with their teammates as nostalgia replaces the week to week grind of preparing for their next match.

Clubs are expecting an update on the resumption of the QAFLW competition in early June when AFLQ staff return to work.

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Atkins believes any revamped season fixture won’t be compromised by the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

“We’re preparing to play and hit the season as hard as we can,” he said.

“We’re hoping to play everyone once which for me would be a pretty fair season.

“From the conversations I’ve had with our leaders, they haven’t wiped off the season.

“Everyone has essentially had an extra pre-season but they’re competitive and ready to go.

“I think we turned a corner from Round 1 to Round 2 so now we’re just waiting for Round 2 but we’ll be fit once we start.”