Sharks’ painful lesson
BOND University are primed to bounce back from their QAFLW grand final heartbreak with a focus on young talent and fitness spearheading their 2020 campaign.
The Bull Sharks were defeated by 76 points in the 2019 QAFLW decider but coach Shane Atkins believes the loss has led to an increased desire for success this pre-season.
“The girls came back to me after that and said that they learned a lot more by losing than we ever would have by winning,” he said.
“We’ve had around 20 new girls come to the club in total. They are saying they already feel welcome so we’re a lot better placed in that respect than we were this time last year.”
Bond took the chance to field about half a dozen of their new players in a practice match against QAFLW rivals Coolangatta on Saturday.
The new crop included returning 2017 Bond premiership players Grace Varcoe, former Brisbane Lion AFLW rookie Krystal Scott and interstate recruit Shae Gundlach.
“We were really happy to have a hit-out against good quality opposition,” Atkins said of the 39-34 victory.
“We gave a few of our younger girls an opportunity and we were really pleased with how they went at a higher level and we told them the game was a chance to put your hand up for Round 1 selection.”
With the QAFLW season set to begin in late February for the first time to align with the AFLW season, Atkins said the club would take the chance to expose some of their emerging talents to the next level.
Bond will regain the services of their nine AFLW-listed players at some stage during the season.
“It opens up an opportunity for those (young) girls to be tested,” he said. “They’ve been a breath of fresh air and they’re really looking forward to the challenge.
“We’ve also had our AFLW girls come back and engage with the girls at training and expect them to play a teaching role with those girls once they do come back.”
Bond have a final hit-out against University of Queensland this weekend ahead of Round 1 on February 29.