Lucy Lockhart is back into the fray for Bond University in this Sunday’s Premier Women’s preliminary final, following the birth of her first child earlier in the year.
The Wallaroos number-eight is feeling confident about the Bullsharks’ chances of taking home the premiership following a close 13-12 victory over Sunnybank last weekend.
The side will face off against minor premiers GPS this Sunday, who they beat 46-0 in a dominant Round 12 performance.
Despite such a convincing win, Lockhart says that they will be expecting a very different Gallopers outfit this time around.
“It’s not going to be an easy one,” Lockhart said.
“As we all know with GPS, when push comes to shove they can definitely put on a show.
“We just have to come into the game with an open mind and play the best footy we can - that will give us the best chance of coming away with a win.”
Bond are currently chasing their maiden premiership in club history, in what would be a year of firsts for Lucy, who welcomed her first child earlier this year with her fiancé Declan Dineen.
Lockhart is quick to applaud her partner and his support of her and her ‘Bub’ from the sidelines, but when it comes to getting her back on the field, Lucy saves her praise for former Waratah turned exercise physiologist Noella Green.
“I’ve had a lot of help from my exercise physiologist, Noella, who has plenty of experience in this area herself,” Lockhart said.
“It’s a much different rehab compared to other injuries I’ve had in the past, like my shoulder. But overall, I’m very happy with how my recovery has been and I’m just so happy to be back out there playing with the girls, especially in the finals.”
The whole team will be thanking Green for her services, with Bond counting on Lockhart’s experience and leadership if they are to bring a title back to the Gold Coast, a premiership that Lockhart says will mean the world to the club.
“It would mean so much,” she said.
“Especially with our coaches who have been here since day one, Laurence and Seth have been with us since we first raised the Bond Uni Premier team.
“It’s been amazing to come this far with them and to get into the Grand Final. We’d be doing it not only for each other but also for our coaches who have stood by us these last few years, it would mean so much.”
Bond will be put to the test this Sunday at home as they prepare to take on a GPS team who are determined to make amends after last weekend’s defeat.
The Bullsharks will have home ground advantage, taking on Jeeps at 10:30am on Sunday on the Gold Coast.
