FULL TIME: Bond University are 2025 StoreLocal Hospital Cup champions after claiming a 27-25 thriller over two-time reigning champions Brothers.
The Brethren were just five minutes from a Queensland Premier Grade three-peat before replacement back Hamish Roberts latched onto a Dion Samuela chip kick and dived over in the top right corner.
A final raid on the Bull Sharks' line looked to see Brothers' steal it back late but Bond weren't to be denied, holding out for a famous two-point victory - their first ever Hospital Cup.
Both sides were stacked with Test talent - Josh Canham, Aidan Ross and Josh Flook all featured - but Bond were inspired by a monster pack effort and talismanic skipper Tyler Campbell to shake off three yellow cards and get the win.
Brothers flyer Will Cartwright (three tries) and fetcher Michael Wood also starred but errant goalkicking ultimately cost the Brethren dearly in their quest for three.
Re-live the action via our live blog:
FULL TIME: Bond Uni 27 Brothers 25
THE BULL SHARKS ARE 2025 HOSPITAL CUP CHAMPIONS!
Absolute scenes here at Ballymore as Bond hold out a late Brothers raid on their try line - it's their ninth win in a row this year and the Bull Sharks have done it from fourth!
A seventh grand final win for Bond coach Mick Heenan - his first at the Canal - and history made!
Bond Uni 27 Brothers 25
What a contest this is - Bond retake the lead via a Hamish Roberts try with just five on the clock!
Brothers looked almost home after forcing a massive scrum penalty against the feed and rolling upfield but a Tyler Campbell pilfer and quick tap sent the Brethren backpedaling.
Dion Samuela found a seam, raced through, chipped ahead and Roberts is there to crumb and score!
Depiazzi's conversion is a miss, however, so two points the difference in the premiership minutes.
Brothers 25 Bond Uni 22
The Brethren can't be contained! It's another try - this time to Reds centre Dre Pakeho - and Brothers are 10 minutes from a third straight title!
Bond facing an uphill battle from here after Jordan Lenac received his side's third yellow card for a no-arms tackle on Tim Ryan but Cartwright's errant goal-kicking might keep them in the contest.
Bond Uni 22 Brothers 20
It's swing for swing out here at Ballymore - two heavyweights slugging it out - but Bond have landed a good one there with Depiazzi kicking his side ahead!
Brothers keep finding ways to scupper Bond's massive pack, however, they'll need to watch their discipline after copping a referee's warning for repeated infringements.
Bond opt for a shot at poles from 40m out and Depiazzi's got the legs - Bull Sharks lead by two!
Brothers 20 Bond Uni 19
George Blake rolls over a Bond maul try and we have a final thriller on our hands!
That Bull Shark pack is starting to flex their muscles and the Reds hooker puts Bond within a score - Luke Depiazzi's sideline conversion attempt curls too far left so Brothers still up by the barest of margins.
Brothers 20 Bond Uni 14
Take a bow, Will Cartwright and Noah Nielsen!
Nielsen - the veteran Brothers flanker - just set up a 14-point play by pilfering the Bull Sharks pill 10m from home to spark a series of penalties that marched the Brethren upfield.
From there, the blue and white jerseys clicked into gear and found Cartwright in space - no one can catch him and the winger's got a hat-trick!
Brothers' conversion attempt sails wide so we've got a seven-point margin heading into the final quarter - who wins it from here?
Brothers 15 Bond Uni 14
Bond halfback Luke Daniela has undone a scorching linebreak from Tyler Campbell after receiving his side's second yellow card for a dangerous clean-out.
Campbell had the Bull Sharks knocking on Brothers' try line again but Daniela's infringement will see them back to 14 men - big moment in this decider.
Brothers 15 Bond Uni 14
Bond skipper Tyler Campbell puts his side on his back and barrels over for their second try!
It's a massive score early doors after the Bull Sharks' scrum pressure sent Brothers backpedalling - Campbell scores close to the sticks, Luke Depiazzi's conversion is money and we've got a one-point game.
Brothers 15 Bond Uni 7
The Bull Sharks have come out firing in the second half and earned two early scrum penalties to pile pressure on the Brethren.
Aidan Ross' shift to loosehead prop has yielded instant results - can Bond convert this opportunity?
Half Time: Brothers 15 Bond Uni 7
Will Cartwright has a double in the Hospital Cup decider!
Brothers extend their lead through the flying winger but put that down to Michael Wood's impressive steal back downfield, a sharp Josh Flook break and then Harry Grant's presence of mind to cross-kick Cartwright's way.
Cartwright converts his own 39th minute try from out wide and Brothers hit the sheds eight points ahead!
Brothers 8 Bond Uni 7
Bond are holding out Brothers by the skin of their teeth here!
Fullback Rocco Gollings came up clutch with a try-saving tackle down the left wing before Zane Misios went one better to deny Josh Flook in the opposite corner.
Another scrum penalty goes Bond's way to relieve pressure and now the Bull Sharks have pill and attacking turf to play with.
Brothers 8 Bond Uni 7
Reds flyer Will Cartwright slides over and the Brethren are in front!
Great hands to exploit the space out left after Bull Sharks winger Deon Evans-Aolifi was sent to the sin bin for repeated ruck infringements.
Brothers couldn't crack the yellow wall from the ensuing penalty but a patient build-up paid off and they finally strike from their seventh attacking 22m entry.
Bond Uni 7 Brothers 3
Bull Sharks Tyler Campbell has produced a massive play, winning a turnover penalty on his own try line to deny Brothers an opening try.
Bond are already on a card warning after multiple ruck infringements inside their defensive 22m but Campbell's pilfer is a good one and saves the Bull Sharks blushes - for now.
Bond Uni 7 Brothers 3
Josh Canham is really stamping his authority on the Hospital Cup decider - and this time it's without the ball.
Brothers have bashed away deep in Bond territory for the past six minutes but Canham comes up with a bone-rattling hit to knock the ball loose.
Brothers aren't done yet though - they've won possession back via Theo Fourie and will plug the corner to try and find their first meat pie.
Bond Uni 7 Brothers 3
Bond get the first try of the Hospital Cup decider and it's Wallaby gold standard!
Josh Canham found a loose Brothers shoulder from 22m out, bent the line and offloaded beautifully for locking partner Dylan Loader, who dived over untouched beside the posts.
The conversion sails over and the Bull Sharks lead by four - Brothers will rue an earlier scuffle that handed Bond a penalty and vital field position.
Brothers 3 Bond Uni 0
Brothers winger Will Cartwright opens the scoring at Ballymore with three off the tee.
Bond will need to watch their discipline here after conceding their fourth penalty in just eight minutes.
Brothers 0 Bond Uni 0
It's been one-way traffic Brothers' way in the opening exchanges.
Three consecutive penalties paved way for Brothers to march upfield and the pressure looked too much for Bond to bear but the Bull Sharks' maul defence was up to scratch and held Theo Fourie up over the chalk.
Brothers continue to attack deep in Bond's territory.
It's a very warm welcome to you all at home and abroad as we bring you live coverage of the 2025 StoreLocal Hospital Cup decider between Brothers and Bond Uni.
Brothers are flying high after their second grade premiership win while Bond Uni are buoyed after yesterday's fourth straight title for their women - the teams are now out in the middle and Harry Grant of the Brethren gets us underway with the kick-off!
