HART Sapphire Series Rnd 9 reviewed: Cougars fall to Bull Sharks jaws, Thunder crack top four

The Bond University Bull Sharks have done the unthinkable, taking down the ACU Brisbane North Cougars. Discover the blunt message and changes that led to the top four shake-up.

The Bond University Bull Sharks have done the unthinkable, taking down the ACU Brisbane North Cougars 59-54 in round nine of the HART Sapphire Series.

Coming into Sunday’s match as clear underdogs, the Bull Sharks ignored their reputation as the wooden spoon side and came out firing.

Head coach Rebecca Stower was notably impressed with her team’s fast start from the blocks.

“We had a pretty good start and I’m really proud because previously we would drop off and let other teams punish us for it,” Stower said.

“It was just a really good game … not so much about we beat Cougars, more like we put together four great quarters of netball.

“They remembered why they were there and what they needed to do.”

Stower said the win was not the result of any one player, rather a whole team effort.

“We have been building our consistency and working on units not just individuals,” she said.

It comes after the Bull Sharks coaching panel took a new approach following round eight, and instilled the need for major improvement.

“I was very blunt with them through the week and had to have some words, so they took that on board and played with accountability.”

The five-goal victory is Bond’s second of 2023, along with a win over the Brisbane South Wildcats weeks earlier.

Bond University Bull Sharks netball. Credit: Pr Alan Patching. Pictured: Ella Spencer

Stower believes the result will play a huge factor in her team’s lead-in to versing the Carina Leagues Club Tigers in round 10.

“The first win was nice and it was what we needed at the time, but this win against Cougars is just a huge confidence boost.

“We have to go game by game,” she said.

“This week against Tigers is a must win if we want to be in that top four … and you look at the draw and we are still a chance, results are flying everywhere.”

The last time these teams came up against each other was round seven, where Tigers let go of a healthy lead and allowed Bond to creep up in the final quarter.

Despite going down by one goal, the Bull Sharks are confident this week will play out in their favour as they take the court with a fresh win up their sleeve.

In the Ruby league, it was the Cougars who claimed bragging rights with a 54-38 victory

Bond University Bull Sharks netball. Credit: Pr Alan Patching. Pictured: Kaylin van Gruenen

IN OTHER GAMES

The Sunshine Coast Thunder bounced back from the headache of losing to Brisbane South Wildcats last week, defeating an inconsistent Tigers side 49-44 on show court.

It pushes Thunder into fourth spot while Tigers drop into fifth ahead of there clash with the closely-tailing Bull Sharks next week.

The Ruby league match was a different story, with Tigers winning by 10 goals (45-55) and continuing their top-of-ladder reign.

The TAE Aerospace jets put on a familiar show against the Wildcats to win comfortably (73-43) at Ipswich Basketball Stadium.

Despite injury concerns left, right and centre, Jets are playing at top form in preparation for their top-of-ladder clash with the Gold Coast Titans, who had a bye this week, in round 10.

Their Ruby side scraped away with a six-goal win (58-52), a much closer scoreline than they had hoped for after going down to Bull Sharks in round eight.

While Titans Sapphire rested, the Ruby side took to court against the Barastoc Panthers and won 50-34.

The 16-goal difference was a major improvement for the Toowoomba team who lost 58-32 in their last clash.