0°C | Thursday November 13, 2025 
1 September 2025
North Shore Bombers
It’s finals time in the AFL Sydney Premier Divisions, and both the Bombers’ men’s and women’s teams are hoping to make a run for the Grand Final.
The women drew Sydney Uni, a team they had already beaten twice this season. They got off to a focused start, booting three goals in the first quarter while holding Uni scoreless. In the second quarter, the Bombers hit a little turbulence, only managing a point in the period. Still up 3.2.20 to 1.0.6 at the half-time break, this quickly blew out to a 5.5.35 to 1.1.7 score at the end of the third quarter. Uni couldn’t buy a goal, as North Shore suffocated them with pressing defence. Two more goals in the fourth quarter made sure the Bombers would advance through to the qualifying final, finishing with a 7.6.48 to 1.2.8 victory. Scoring was spread by the Bombers, with Grace Hill, Adrienne Keeffe, Lila Micheletti, Lily Sullivan, and Charlotte Tidermann all scoring. Aside from the goal scorers, Kiera Yerbury, Zoe Hurrell, Heidi de Saxe, and Ella Daniel all received best player nods.
The men were out for revenge, playing UNSW Bulldogs, who they lost to just weeks ago. Similar to the women, they started the game with a flurry of three goals in the first quarter but slowed in the second. Despite the shaky period, they held a 3.6.24 to 3.0.18 lead at half-time. The second half was all Bombers, booting three goals in the third and fourth quarters while applying sustained attacking pressure, leading to long spells in possession. Meanwhile, UNSW struggled to score, handing the Bombers a 9.13.67 to 5.1.31 victory.
With both squads winning, they will both face Manly-Warringah for the chance to advance through to the Grand Final. If they lose that match, they will get another chance due to finishing second on the ladder.
North Sydney Bears
In the final round of the season, the Bears were looking to end the season on a high as they hosted the Parramatta Eels. Despite being out of finals contention, Norths came out swinging, with captain Jesse Marschke scoring the first try in the 11th minute. The good times kept rolling when Riley Meyn jumped on a stray pass on the Parramatta try line before running 40 metres and dumping the ball off to Kieran Hayman to finish the try. Matt Komolafe added to his try tally just three minutes later, after Norths jumped on a loose ball from a bomb kick. In the 30th minute, the Eels claimed their sole try of the night. In the 36th minute, Israel Ogden added to the score with a try, quickly followed by Ethyn Martin in the 39th minute. Up 24-6 at the half-time break, Norths were cruising.
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The second half provided much of the same, with Kieran Hayman amongst the action yet again, breaking down the wing and setting up Jake Toby. Toby crossed yet again five minutes later, bagging a double. Up 42-6, the onslaught continued when the ball bounced off the posts and into the lap of Fred Pupu, who dived over for a four-pointer. Ofahiki Ogden was next to score in the 63rd minute, and Matt Komolafe completed his double in the 73rd minute. Kieran Hayman also had a great day with the boot, converting 7/10 tries for a 54-6 final score.
A dominant victory to cap off a season of ups and downs, finishing in 10th on the ladder. Despite making the past two NSW Cup Grand Finals, Norths just couldn’t find consistency this season. However, with the news of an NRL return breaking this season, bright days are ahead for the Bears.