By Adam Sheldon

Bond head coach Mick Heenan said his side’s breakthrough premiership was built on grit and determination after the Bull Sharks defied three yellow cards to snatch a dramatic 27–25 win over Brothers in Sunday’s Hospital Cup grand final at Ballymore.

Bond trailed Brothers 25–22 in the final 10 minutes and were down to 14 men after a third yellow card in a grand final classic, when the defining moment arrived.

In the 75th minute, replacement Dion Samuela darted from halfback and chipped wide for Hamish Roberts, who gathered at full pace to score the match-winner – a dramatic piece of skill that capped a game of constant lead changes.

“You know, some of it sort of defies analysis really,” Heenan told Rugby News.

“That last try from Dion and Hamish was an amazing piece of skill. To do that after three yellow cards, to show all the grit and determination to stay in the fight, and then for that to happen – it was just one of those grand final moments.

“I’m so happy for those two guys in particular, because they’ve had tough years with injuries and to come in off the bench and produce that… it was incredible.”

Brothers winger Will Cartwright scored a hat-trick, crossing in the 26th minute and again on the stroke of half-time to hand the Brethren a 15–7 lead at the break.

When Dre Pakeho scored in the 69th minute, Brothers looked on track for a third straight premiership.

But the Bull Sharks, led by Tony Shaw Medallist for best on field Tyler Campbell, simply refused to go away.

Campbell scored himself in the 46th minute and was immense in both attack and defence, while Roberts, George Blake and Dylan Loader also found the line.

Heenan said Bond’s journey to the title was a story of resilience after a rocky start to the season which delivered one win from their opening five fixtures before a mid-season slump.

The grand final victory capped a nine-game winning streak, including emphatic finals wins over competition heavyweights Wests and Easts.

“I just think the character of the guys to keep fighting, to keep turning up and training with good energy and positive attitudes, that’s what it was built off,” he said.

“We hit a rough patch in the middle of the season and I wasn’t sure whether it would turn in time for us to really make a run at the title.

“But once we beat Uni and then Souths, and then all of a sudden we were beating Brothers, you think, ‘OK, we’re in pretty good shape here.’

“It’s a great lesson in what perseverance and staying tight through tough times can do for you.”

For Heenan, the significance extended beyond Bond alone, with the premiership Bond’s first since entering the competition in 2014.

“I just think it’s so good for the sport on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“Rugby has been in a bit of a spot there, but with the Wallabies doing well and us doing well, it’s getting a bit of media attention.

“There were billboards on the main roads, and because so many of our guys are Gold Coast locals, it just means so much to the community.”

While Bond’s victory was their first, the result marked Heenan’s seventh grand final win as a coach, having previously collected six with UQ.

He said this season stood out for the way his side peaked at the right time and grew through adversity.

“They’re all different, but all special in their own way,” Heenan said.

“The journey we’ve been on with this group of guys the last couple of years – with all the highs and lows – makes this one especially rewarding.”