0°C | Tuesday October 21, 2025 
22 September 2025
History was made as North Shore claimed the flag in both AFL Sydney Premier Divisions. For the women, it was their first premiership at this level, while the men went back-to-back, successfully defending their 2024 title and securing the club’s 15th flag in the competition. It was only the second time in AFL Sydney history that one club had won both premier division titles in the same season.
The women were first to take the field at Blacktown Sportspark Oval against Sydney University. Just four weeks earlier, the Bombers had dismantled Uni 48-8 in the first round of finals, making it three wins from three meetings this season. Confidence was high that they could seal their inaugural women’s premier division title.
The first quarter went to script, with North Shore kicking two goals and holding Uni scoreless. But the contest tightened in the second, as Uni struck back with two goals while the Bombers managed only two behinds, leaving the scores tied 2.2.14 apiece at half-time. The arm wrestle continued into the third, where North Shore edged ahead with two goals to one. Their defence then stood tall, almost single-handedly keeping the side in front, before closing out the match 5.4.34 to 3.6.24. Grace Parsons booted two goals, with Cassidy McArthur, Keira Yerbury and Liz and Lucy Yates adding one each. Best player honours went to Amelia Rainbow and Charlotte Tidemann for their work on the wings, and to young gun Heidi de Saxe for her efforts through the middle.
Nine years ago, North Shore had no women’s Premier Division side; now they sit atop the competition. Special credit went to captain Tilly Eder, who has led the squad since the program began.
With one flag in the bag, the men took the field against long-time rivals Manly Warringah Wolves in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final. North Shore led by five points at quarter-time, 3.1.19 to 2.2.14, before the Wolves responded in the second term. Despite registering four behinds, they narrowed the margin to just three points at the main break, 5.3.33 to 4.6.30.
From there, the Bombers accelerated. Captain Ned Campbell and Nicholas Pavlou again drove the midfield, both earning best player votes. Pavlou also contributed two goals as North Shore held Manly goalless in the third quarter while adding three majors of their own. By three-quarter time, the Bombers were 20 points clear, 8.4.52 to 4.8.32, and they finished in style with six more goals in the final term.
Tom Gillis was unstoppable with four goals, while James Tidemann and Matt Wilson added two each. Singles went to Max Thomas, Matt Buskariol, Jake Veale and Harry Walker. Tom Drum also drew best player recognition for his creativity and distribution up front. At the final siren, North Shore had triumphed 14.5.89 to 7.8.50, securing their 15th men’s premier division title and their third back-to-back success.
It capped an extraordinary season in which both senior sides finished second on their ladders but lifted in the finals to claim ultimate honours. North Shore also took out the men’s Division 1 and Division 4 titles, underlining their reputation as one of the state’s strongest AFL programs.