BOND University’s trio of debutants led the Bull Sharks to a dominant 98-point win over Maroochydore which featured 15 unanswered goals at The Canal. After Maroochydore kicked the first goal it looked like the visitors might gain the early ascendancy, but that could not have been further from the reality as the Bull Sharks piled on 29 consecutive scoring shots in a 15.14 (104) to 1.0 (6) thrashing.

Bottom-age AFLW Draft prospects, Havana Harris and Nyalli Milne combined for seven goals in the victory, while fellow 2006-born young gun Tara Harrington was outstanding through midfield. The Bull Sharks controlled proceedings after the opening goal, kicking between three and four goals in each quarter en route to the big win.

The visiting crowd got up and about when Chelsea Gillard slotted the first major off a set shot from a free kick just three minutes into the contest. With some impressive play from Jasmyn Davidson in the ruck and the strength of Harris up forward, the Bull Sharks responded. Harris would have her second by the 13th minute, teaming up well with Lily Tarlinton inside 50. The dangerous Milne looked lively from the get-go, but it was another small in Shannon Nolan who would get on the board in the final minute to stretch the lead out to 19 points at the first break.

Maroochydore had its fair share of contributors too, with Sara-Jane O’Grady and Kiara Hillier working hard behind the ball, and Jessee Sills and Demi Norton finding their fair share of the pill. Unfortunately the Roos played the majority of the game minus captain Kelsee Sills, who went down in the 11th minute of the match.

After quarter time, it was all Bullsharks as Milne came alive with a couple of running goals. As soon as the electric speedster got goalside, it was goodnight for the opposition. Tarlinton also hit the scoreboard, with over-age forward/midfielder Ella Calleja launching a bomb on the eve of half-time after a strong grab to stretch the lead out to 47 points.

Against her former side, Mikayla Pauga was lively across the forward half of the ground, winning critical one-on-ones, while the likes of Georgia Johnson and Georgia Hutton working hard across the ground. For the Roos, Gillard looked to have kicked a goal in the opening minute but was deemed to have pushed Mia Salisbury out of the contest and the goal was disallowed.

Coming out of the main break, it took Milne just 33 seconds to slot her third goal as Bond University kept the foot on the throat. Nolan and Tarlinton continued the procession as the likes of Calleja and Pauga created chances for them inside 50. Incredibly the margin could have been even greater than the 69-point three-quarter time lead, with the Bull Sharks missing four consecutive behinds in the last 14 minutes of the term. Hillier was particularly effective at forcing mistakes from the Bull Sharks forwards.

In the final term, Isabella Iverach continued her form from a couple of potential chances late in the third quarter, with Calleja also getting better as the game went on. It would Harris who kicked her third major early in the quarter following a run-down tackle, and when Calleja kicked a ripper on the run with a lucky bounce on the line, it was party time for the home team.

The game would wind down in the last 10 minutes, but one of the plays of the day came from a Harris mark on the wing and spearing pass into Harrington who found Pauga. The Brisbane Lions talent ran in and slotted the gaol on the run to send her side over the 100-point threshold and onto a 98-point win.

Bond University had no shortage of impressive talents, lead by the trio of debutants in Harris, Milne and Harrington. Pauga, Calleja and Iverach had their moments in the forward half, while Nolan was lively close to goal. Charlotte Taylor and Georgia Hutton created some dash, with top-ager Sienna McMullen having her moments on the wing.

For Maroochydore, O’Grady was a standout all game with some bone-crunching tackles and defensive efforts, while Hillier intercepted anything that came her way. She worked in tandem with Kaiya Hides, while Norton and Sills also tried hard all game.

Bond University has a second consecutive home game in Round 2, taking on Coorparoo, while Maroochydore heads back up the coast to Neil Upton Oval to lock horns with reigning premiers, University of Queensland.

BOND UNIVERSITY 4.1 | 8.5 | 11.9 | 15.14 (104)
MAROOCHYDORE 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 (6)

GOALS:

Bond Uni: H. Harris 4, N. Milne 3, E. Calleja 2, S. Nolan 2, L. Tarlinton 2, G. Deller, M. Pauga
Maroochydore: C. Gillard

RMC BEST:

Bond Uni: H. Harris, N. Milne, T. Harrington, M. Pauga, E. Calleja
Maroochydore: S. O’Grady, K. Hillier, K. Hides, J. Sills, D. Norton

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Southport Sharks stated their premiership intentions with an 89-point belting of University of Queensland at Brighton Homes Arena. In similar fashion to the Bull Sharks’ win over the Roos, the Red Lionesses kicked their only goal in the first quarter, before Southport stormed to victory with 11 goals to nil in the last three quarters en route to a 15.10 (100) to 1.5 (11) victory.

New Lion Popp Boltz slotted three goals in the win, with recently drafted Sun Darcie Davies among four other multiple goalkickers. Jess Maher was named best-on in the win, with Georgia Breward and Lilly Pearce also impressive. Laura Roy was best-on for the Red Lionesses, while Ava Seton also impressed.

The other two matches were far closer, with Wilston Grange grinding out a three-point win over Yeronga South Brisbane for its first victory in two years after going through the 2022 season winless. The Gorillas lead by 10 points at the final break, and while the Devils kicked the only goal of the final term, inaccuracy hurt and the home team went down 4.3 (27) to 2.12 (24).

Charlize Anderson booted two goals in the win, with Kalista-Jayne Shiner and Zimra Hussain named the Gorillas’ best. Peppa Poultney was best-on in a losing effort, while Tamika Smith also tried hard all game.

Round 1 also produced a draw, with the more accurate home side of Coorparoo splitting the points with Aspley, 6.5 (41) to 5.11 (41). Jacinta Baldwick and Kelsey Crosbie kicked a couple of goals each with Baldwick named the best for the Kings. Mikayla Martin kicked three for the Hornets, while Abby Pengelly and Emma Pittman were impressive.