QAFLW: Bond responded to a spirited University of Queensland challenge to claim a 50-20 win

Winning hides sins which is why Bond University QAFLW coach Luke Mansbridge was pleased to see his side challenged by the University of Queensland in Saturday’s Varsity clash.

WINNING hides sins which is why Bond University QAFLW coach Luke Mansbridge was pleased to see his side challenged by the University of Queensland in Saturday’s Varsity clash.

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.

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Bond hasn’t lost a game since their Round 1 last-gasp defeat against Coolangatta in March and also missed last week’s clash against Maroochydore due to a pending COVID-19 test result.

After a three-goal first term, Bond’s “lackadaisical” second quarter prompted a halftime spray from Mansbridge.

Bond forward Taylor Smith kicks one of her two goals against University of Queensland. Pic: Claudia Moodoonuthi Jones

“When you’re winning, you’re putting paper over the cracks so it was good to open our eyes back up and see the areas we still need to keep improving because all of the teams we’re playing are improving as well,” he said.

“We started so well which may have contributed to the girls thinking it was just going to happen again so I gave them a fairly good spray at half time because we have to work together to get an outcome.

“With all the AFLW talent floating around the league, you need to be on your game more so than ever.

“I still think we’ve got the best team in the competition, we might not have the best players but we have the best depth in the league and our young girls keep improving.”

And Bond’s depth continues to provide a welcome challenge for Mansbridge and his coaching staff at team selection.

Around 30 girls are vying for 22 spots in the senior side each week and five out of six named in Bond’s Development bests have all played QAFLW football.

“The seniors need to be on high alert and have no choice to go out and give everything because of that pressure underneath but it makes us a better side,” Mansbridge said.

With games against Yeronga and Coorparoo to come, Mansbridge is confident Bond will be tested sufficiently despite not getting a chance to play Maroochydore until potentially finals after their Round 7 match was declared a draw.

Bond’s win saw them consolidate their place on top of the QAFLW ladder with a competition high percentage of 326.19 while Coolangatta leapt into second with a gritty four-point, 30-26 win over Yeronga South Brisbane.