21°C | Wednesday September 11, 2024 
8 September 2023
By James Mullan
Just a year ago, the North Shore Bombers Premier men were one win away from breaking their 16 year premiership drought. Unfortunately that day they fell just short at the hands of the UNSW Bulldogs 52-22.
Now in 2023 these two sides will face each other in the Grand Final, after again proving to be the top two in the NSW’s premier AFL competition. The Bombers advanced through to the big dance after winning the minor premiership and beating UNSW in the semi finals, the last time these two sides met.
Just two weeks ago that game started shaky for the Bombers with no goals in the first quarter while conceding 14 points in. By the second quarter, they were able to narrow the margin to 22-29, booting 3 goals. After the half time break, the boys from Gore Hill took over jumping to a 56-35 lead in the third. Josh Rayner led the way, kicking 3 goals in the game while William Hopkins knocked in 2. In the final quarter the Bombers tightened up only managing one point, while the Bulldogs scored 20. North Shore were just able to hold on 57-55 to advance through to the Grand Final.
This didn’t end the Bulldogs’ season as they had a second chance to advance, taking on the Pennant Hills Devils just last week. It was a dominant performance from UNSW, winning 69-38 from an impressive 10 goals.
In their two regular match ups the Bombers won both, 49-87 in round 3 and 66-49 in round 15. The odds are in North Shore’s favor but anything can happen in a single game, especially considering last season’s disappointing Grand Final loss.
Recently Bombers’ Captain Ned Campbell won the competition’s player of the year, taking out the Phelan Medal. He shared the award in a three-way tie with Pennant Hills’ Harry Maguire & Manly’s Kale Gabila. He was also named captain of the AFL Sydney team of the year.
In more great news for the club, last weekend the Bombers’ Men division two won the premiership, defeating Manly 46-39. This was made even more impressive as they came back from a 1-20 first quarter and 10 point deficit at the half. Their 20 point blitz in the third was enough to lift them to glory.
