0°C | Thursday November 13, 2025 
5 May 2025
By James Mullan
All winter sports seasons are in full swing as the North Shores’ women’s sides show they are here to dominate in the Basketball and AFL. In both the rugby league and union, high scoring matches continued to be a huge theme.
North Shore Bombers
An away week this round saw the Bombers fly south to take on St George at Olds Park. The women were simply unstoppable again post yet another three digit domination. The Bombers came out of the gates aggressively posting 49 points in the first quarter and boasting a 86 point lead at the half. It took St George until the third quarter to get their sole point on the board. Multiple Bombers ended the game with doubles including Shannon Smit, Lila Michalatti, and Sophi Kavanagh. Three players scored hat tricks; Captain Matilda Eder, Ava Horneman and Lili Kablau. While Lauren O’Sullivan managed to boot four goals. A side from the multiple goal scorers Heidi de Saxe, Kiera Yerbury, Charlotte Tidemann and Charlotte White were all best on ground. North Shore Bombers win 20.19.139 to 0.1.1. This win cemented up 2nd place on the ladder.
Last week Matilda Eder, Grace Hill, Zoe Hurrell, Sophie Kavanagh, Georgie Fowler and Charlotte White were all named in the AFL Sydney rep squads for the upcoming tournament against AFL Canberra, AFL South Coast and AFL Hunter Central Coast. On the men’s side Ethan Grace, Christian Loone, Felix Rogers, Mitchell Rogers, Jake Veale and James Tidemann were selected.
The men’s match up was a little closer starting off with a tense 6 point lead for the Bombers at the end of the first quarter. However in the second they kicked into great punting 6 goals in the second quarter for a 9-51 lead at halftime. Both sides booted two goals in the third quarter but it was too little too late for St George as North Shore pulled away to 6.4.40 to 15.7.97 victory. Ethan Grace led scoring with 3 goals, while Matt Buskariol, Will Carlaw, Tom Crum and Max Yeoland all booted doubles. Along with some goal scorers Cooper Donald, Thomas Drum, Patrick Bolger, Jake Veale and Finn Chalmers were best on ground. After five rounds the boys sit 4th on the competition ladder.
Next week the women have a bye round while the men will take on Inner West back home at Gore Hill Oval.
Norths Rugby
On a pristine Saturday afternoon the Norths hosted Souths looking to make it back to back wins to build momentum in the season. 13 minutes in, the home side was off to a perfect start as fly half Matt Minogue sold a dummy pass and slipped through for a try. Just minutes later Southern Districts answered with a converted try. With scores tied up Norths were over again in the 25th minute, with a line out just metres from the line leading to a Marshall Le Maitre try.
Sustained pressure from Norths then led to a try down the left wing as Reece Mau’u benefited from a perfect Matt Minogue cut out pass in the 35th minute.
Souths managed to pull back a penalty just after the half time siren to narrow it to 21-10 at the break. Just 2 minutes in the half Norths were over thanks to Sam Kitchen, securing the bonus point try and extending the lead.
The away side would score again but it wasn’t enough as Marshall Le Maitre scored yet again off a line out 62 minutes in, resulting in a 33-17 win for the Shoremen. With the victory they retain the Sir Roden Cutler VC Shield. A great result for boys in red and black who now sit in 8th on the table. They will face a big test next week as they host Randwick.
Norths Basketball
The Life Members Cup is an annual battle between Norths Bears and Hills Hornets. Whichever club wins the most games between the two in NBL1 and Youth League over the total of 8 games they play in the year. This weekend was leg one of the cup, hosted in Hills.
The women were up first, with the Bears dominating the lackluster Hornets. The game was somewhat close in the first half, with Hills even scoring more points in the second. But a second half take over by the Bears, blew Hills out of the water for a 75-106 win. Carla Pitman and Maddie O’Hehir continued their sensational season combining for 47 points. Young guns Emma Donnelly and Ruby Perkins also stepped up with 14 points each.
The men’s match up was a lot more competitive. Norths came out of the gates strongly with a 38-43 lead at halftime. The third quarter saw hills claw their way back into the game before jumping into the lead with just 21 seconds left in the game. With Norths unable to respond they suffered a heartbreaking 77-76 loss. Former Sydney Kings player Iggy Mitchell had a breakout game with 16 points, while star Hunter Goodrick chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds.
Next week the Bears are back at home, hosting Penrith on Saturday night.
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North Sydney Bears
The Bears couldn’t have asked for better conditions for their first game at North Sydney Oval this year. On a glorious Sunday afternoon, Norths fans packed into Bear Park to see their side face the New Zealand Warriors. This was the first game the club had hosted at home since news broke they are on the cusp of becoming the next NRL franchise by relocating to Perth.
In short, on the field the side slumped only managing two tries. They were the first on the score sheet, with Ben Talty crossing in the 12th minute for his 5th try of the season. After this small bright spot the Warriors scored nine unanswered tries. Matt Komolafe did score a consolation try down the left flank in the 71st minute, his 6th of the year, but another converted try to the Warriors produced a sad 14-56 loss for the Bears. Their defense was shocking, especially down their right side, a common theme so far this season. However, not all was depressing with a very healthy crowd enjoying a day out at the footy. Despite the result, there are plenty of worse ways to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Norths will have to regroup for next week before they travel to Tamworth to face Newcastle.