By Adam Sheldon

Brothers head coach Ben McCormack said his side delivered their best performance of the season as they defeated Bond 43–31 at home, avenging last year’s Hospital Cup grand final loss.

In a clash loaded with recent history following the Bull Sharks’ premiership win in 2025, Brothers rose to the occasion with a clinical display to remain unbeaten, winning three from three to start the 2026 season.

McCormack described the contest as a “high-quality” fixture and said it was a clear step forward from his side’s opening performances.

“I thought it was a high-quality game for this time of year,” McCormack told Rugby News.

“It was definitely a better performance than we’ve put in so far, and I thought Bond played well too. It was a good, well-rounded game.

“They are the best team we’ve played so far. It’s only early in the season and we’ve only played three games, but they’re the best side we’ve come up against.”

Both sides showed strong attacking intent throughout, with the contest played at a high tempo.

“The intent from both sides was really good – both teams were trying to score tries and use the footy, which makes for a good brand of rugby,” McCormack said.

“You could see the arm wrestle. Bond were trying to slow our ball down and pressure us at the breakdown, and we were desperate to keep it moving.”

After trailing 21–19 early in the second half, Brothers produced a defining moment that shifted the momentum of the match.

Under sustained pressure, the hosts were forced to defend more than a dozen phases deep in their own half before turning defence into attack in a single passage of play.

McCormack said that sequence proved pivotal.

“Bond were really putting pressure on us. We absorbed that, then forced a turnover – Will Wilson and Charlie Brosnan held someone up and we ripped the ball back,” he said.

“We then went two passes to the edge, Kaelan Grafton linked up with Benn Dalle Cort who scored. To absorb that pressure and then go the length and score straight away was a really pleasing moment.”

While Brothers continued to build and finished with an 11-point victory, McCormack said Bond’s strong performance showed they would again be a premiership contender in 2026.

“At no stage did it feel comfortable, they’ve got too many competitors, and they never give up,” he said.

“Their skipper Tyler Campbell is a great example – he just competes for everything and doesn’t stop. The team feeds off that. Even when they’re down a few tries, they keep playing like they’re in the game and usually find a way back into it.”

McCormack singled out Brad Hemopo and Dalle Cort as standout performers.

“It was a pretty high-class performance from all the boys, but Brad and Benny were outstanding,” he said.

Brothers host Easts next week – with the Tigers, who had the bye, the only other unbeaten side in the competition.

“That will be a test to see where we really are,” Brothers’ head coach said.

Around the grounds

Elsewhere, Sunnybank continued their strong start to the season with an impressive 53–47 win over UQ, while Norths edged Souths 29–28 to rise to third on the ladder.

Wests also made it back-to-back wins with a 28–17 victory over GPS.

“It’s great for the comp,” McCormack said of the results.

“It’s good to see teams like Sunnybank winning games and building confidence. They were a powerhouse in the past, and they’ve got a young side with a lot of talent.

“There’s a lot of quality across the competition, and when those teams build experience and confidence, they can beat anyone.”