QAFLW: Bond University has cemented a home final with a 30-11 win over Yeronga South Brisbane

Bond University’s most challenging QAFLW game of the season to date has also turned out to be its most rewarding. READ WHY.

BOND University’s most challenging QAFLW game of the season to date has also turned out to be its most rewarding.

On Saturday at Leshyon Park, the Bull Sharks ensured they would finish on top of the QAFLW ladder and secure a home preliminary final in mid-September with a 30-11 win over Yeronga South Brisbane.

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And to the delight of senior coach Luke Mansbridge, the win didn’t come easy for the Bull Sharks who had to fight from one point down at halftime to run away 19 point winners.

“It was probably the toughest game we played all season,” Mansbridge said.

“It’s a great reward for the girls (finishing on top of the ladder) and it’s been a tough season.

“I think we’re starting to see rewards from all the fitness work we did when the season was postponed.

“We knew we were going to have to play four quarters to beat them but they had to keep backing themselves to play the way we’ve been playing all season and taking the game on.

“Our team is pretty young so we had to give them the confidence at half time to keep going after it.”

Jess Maher celebrates one of her two goals for Bond University. Pic: David Layden.

Bond’s decision to move captain Shannon Danckert into the midfield and Maddison Levi up forward proved decisive as the Bull Sharks kicked three goals in the third quarter to establish a strong lead.

Mansbridge also hailed his backline who held firm and were equally capable of rebounding the ball and creating scoring chances up the field.

“I didn’t think the tide was going to turn as quickly as it did but the third quarter was definitely our best and our backline was amazing all day,” he said.

Bond has one regular-season match left against Coorparoo before a bye in the first week of finals.

Mansbridge believes the Kings will provide one last opportunity for Bond to finetune their deficiencies against quality opposition.

“I feel like we have a talented team and I think we’re 75 per cent of the way there with the game style I’ve been trying to implement but at times we haven’t had the confidence in our ability to go after it,” he said.

Coolangatta also finished the weekend on the winners list with a thumping 68-27 victory over the University of Queensland.

EARLIER: COOLANGATTA A STEPPING STONE FOR UGLE

“Hey Gravsey, I’m coming to play for you if you’ll have me?”

A text message is all it took for Courtney Ugle to completely change the course of her life.

Ugle has long been on the radar of AFLW clubs and was captaining Essendon in the VLFW last year when she broke her leg.

2020 was supposed to be the year she proved herself once more to recruiters – until a global pandemic hit.

The 24-year-old had been stood down from her role at the Essendon Football Club earlier this year when she got wind the VFLW season was unlikely to go ahead while training for a virtual half marathon.

Courtney Ugle in action for the Coolangatta Bluebirds. Pic: Jessy Hart.

“I knew I probably wasn’t going back to work, I’m still trying to get on an AFLW list and I couldn’t afford not to play any footy,” Ugle said.

Ugle had first crossed paths with Coolangatta QAFLW coach Nicole Graves when they united at Swan Districts for sustained WAFLW success in her native Western Australia.

So it was an easy choice to pack up her car and drive to the Gold Coast to reunite with Graves – a move which she believes could see her finally feature on the AFLW stage.

“I didn’t second guess it once,” Ugle said.

“A lot of people have said to me ‘oh you’ve been overlooked’ but I don’t look at it like that.

“I’m a big believer in timing and my time is getting closer.

“I probably feel a lot more prepared now than what I have been in previous years.”

As part of her QAFLW induction, Ugle has had the chance to play alongside the likes of Suns AFLW listed superstars Leah Kaslar, Kate Surman, Hannah Dunn, Sally Riley, and Paige Parker.

It’s those blossoming relationships which have Ugle feeling as though she could fit right in if she got her chance with the Suns.

“Bloody oath,” Ugle said when asked about the prospect of getting drafted to the Suns.

“I feel right at home on the Gold Coast and I’ve never felt this happy.”

Coolangatta will continue their push towards finals on Saturday when they take on the University of Queensland at home (1pm).

Bond University will head up to Brisbane to take on arch rivals Yeronga South Brisbane at Leyshon Park (2:45pm).