The inclusion of Queensland Reds forwards Josh Canham and George Blake will be a major boost for Bond University in Sunday’s StoreLocal Hospital Cup preliminary final.
Bond University coach Mick Heenan confirmed today that the quality duo would be in the Bull Sharks line-up to face Easts at Bottomley Park.
While Blake has played at hooker for the club this season, it will be lock Canham’s first outing of 2025 for Bond.
Reds appearances and Wallabies camps have prevented Canham playing until now although he has been a committed Bull Shark since joining the club from Melbourne during the COVID years.
Having the 2.02m Canham and his lineout expertise on call is a massive plus for the Bull Sharks.
As a result, young lock Charlie McCauley, a strong try-scoring factor in last Sunday’s semi-final, will switch to Colts One duties against Wests earlier in the day.
“Josh is just a quality player. He will give confidence to the guys around him in the pack. He’s skilful and has massive potential in the game,” Heenan said.
“Charlie was very good for us in our semi-final. He’s moved between Colts and first grade this season and will be a plus for Colts on Sunday.
“George offers top value at hooker and prop for us.”
Masterminding the 34-0 upset of Wests in last Sunday’s knockout semi-final is another quality entry on the resume of six-time premiership coach Heenan.
Wags have elevated him to the Hall of Fame for ranga coaches alongside Paul Vautin (rugby league), Norm Smith and Michael Voss (AFL) and Andrew McDonald (cricket).
Heenan said there was no chance of the Bull Sharks getting carried away with the win over Wests when there was so much still to play for in the finals.
“We’ve played two tight games against Easts already this year and they have been too good both times (22-20 and 45-29),” Heenan said.
“They like to use their maul, put the pressure on at the breakdown and dominate the physical stuff so we have to muscle up. We know it's going to be hostile as well at their home ground.”
Heenan said a switch was flicked mid-season to get the side rolling on their seven-game winning roll.
“We were playing like a team full of a stars when we’re not. We were missing some of the hard graft to build wins,” Heenan said.
“We’re not bigger than other sides. Our thing has been to do all those little things that build into a strong performance.”
