Fourth spot in the race to the StoreLocal Hospital Cup semi-finals will be a lottery if Bond University knock over Souths at Chipsy Wood Oval on Saturday.
It’s a formula not lost on Bull Sharks coach Mick Heenan.
“Every club below us on the table is sweating on this result as well,” the multiple-premiership coach said.
“Souths play a physical power game and have lots of good players so we know the challenge in store.”
Souths (33 points) sit in fourth spot but the margin to the chasing pack will shrink considerably should the Bull Sharks bring their best to this Round 14 clash.
Bond (27), GPS (26), University of Queensland (25) and Norths (25) are all back in the hunt for fourth spot if Heenan’s men fire.
There was certainly encouragement that the Bull Sharks have the forward skills to match it with the burly Souths pack based on the commanding 42-19 win over UQ last weekend.
Two rolling maul drives had Bond up 14-0 after 10 minutes and they were never threatened. Lock Dane Mason produced one of his best games of the year.
The Bull Sharks will welcome back the sharpness of winger Dean Evans-Ao Leifi from injury.
He will play outside centres Tyler Campbell and Dan Boardman, two big plusses.
At Sci-Fleet Stadium, Wests will meet Brothers in the latest edition of their growing rivalry of recent seasons.
Results through all grades will have a major bearing on the destination of the Doughty Shield as champion club of 2025. The Bulldogs women remain undefeated and a points gold mine in the club champion race.
400-GAME MILESTONE FOR UQ STALWART STUART PRICE
University of Queensland’s Stuart Price has the self-deprecating humour of many club legends of the lower grades.
He will bring up a wonderful milestone of 400 club games at St Lucia on Saturday morning in fourth grade at the breakfast kick-off time of 10:50am on Field 8.
He’s been called a stalwart, statesman, journeyman, has-been and never-was of the pack. Price accepts the acknowledgements for “400 of the least inspiring performances on a rugby field by a Red Heavy"
He was “zero X-factor”, in his own words. What he has always shown is a huge desire to contribute to the team and aim up in the effort areas.
He’s been at it for well over two decades to the point he how enjoys playing with his son Hunter.
There have been too many visits to the semi-finals without success for his liking since his 2011 premiership in third grade.
The camaraderie and team slant on preparation are all things he enjoys but winning is where it is at.
“Without the win it’s just a bloody hard hour and a half,” he joked of playing.
Odds on, he’ll be back for more in 2026. Well done.
CAITLIN URWIN’S BIG CHANCE
Queensland Reds winger Caitlin Urwin has taken a big leap into World Cup contention.
The uncapped Urwin has earned first-time inclusion in the Wallaroos’ 32-strong squad for the upcoming Tests against New Zealand and Wales (two).
They are the final showcases before a squad of the same size is selected for the World Cup in England.
There’s still work to be done for “Steve” to earn a Wallaroos berth but her sharpness on the wing and excellent defence are two factors in her favour.
The July 26 Test against Wales at her home ground of Ballymore would be the perfect setting to make her debut.
