Brothers v Bond Uni - Anzac Round's Grand Final Redemption

ANZAC Day at Crosby Park delivered everything you could ask for; tradition, intensity, and a fitting grand final rematch between Brothers and Bond University. In cool, wet conditions, the stage was set for another classic contest.

Bond struck first, wasting no time to remind everyone why they were such formidable opponents. Just three minutes in, Kohan Herbert crossed for the opening try, finishing off the same slick backline movement that proved so effective in last year's championship decider. From the sideline, Callum Cooper-Jones calmly added the extras to give Bond an early 7–0 advantage.

Brothers responded the way top sides do. Building patiently through the middle, they worked their way across the paddock with precision. Urquhart and Prass helped lay the platform before some sharp hands created space out wide. Prass freed the ball, Hemopo kept it alive, and Kaelan Grafton finished brilliantly in the corner. Suddenly, Brothers were right back in the contest.

What followed was a gripping first half, with both sides trading blows in a true heavyweight battle. Every try was answered, neither team willing to give an inch in a contest that lived up to its grand final billing.

After the break, however, Brothers found another gear.

Playing with control, composure, and purpose, they carried the ball with authority, stringing together phase after phase and steadily taking command of the scoreboard. Conversion after conversion, try after try, Brothers began to pull away, turning pressure into points and momentum into dominance.
Bond refused to go quietly, producing a stunning 80-metre breakaway try to keep themselves within striking distance. But each time the visitors threatened, Brothers had the answer. A crucial penalty advantage allowed Dalle Cort to extend the lead, pushing Brothers further in front at 43–26 and effectively sealing the result.

Bond managed one final late try, but the day belonged to Brothers.
In a statement performance on one of the biggest days of the season, Brothers secured a redemption win over their grand final rivals, maintaining their unbeaten start to 2026 with an impressive 43–21 victory over Bond University. A powerful response, a complete team performance, and another reminder that Brothers remain the team to beat this season.

Brothers Premier Women's showed great resiliance and glimpses of positive processes as they entered into round 4 of their campaign. The game displayed a tough battle against former reigning premiers, Bond University, who ended up being the winning team on the day. Brothers women showed no downfall. The team carried on working together, displaying grit and fighting until the final siren. Round 4 dispalyed the building blocks the premier womens team are working towards to remain in the game for the rest of the season.

All other Men's grades continued their strong start to the season with another undefeated round of Rugby. Highlighted by a tight, tough encounter in Colts 1 match defeating Bond 24-19 in horrendous conditions. 2nd Grade also displayed their attacking flare piling on 45 points to deafeat bond 20.

Full Round Results;

1st Grade - Brothers 43 def Bond 31

2nd Grade - Brothers 45 def Bond 20

3rd Grade - Brothers 17 def Bond 8

Premier Women - Bond 49 def Brothers 0

Colts 1 - Brothers 24 def Bond 19

Colts 2 - Brothers 22 def Bond 0