22°C | Tuesday October 21, 2025 
9 September 2025
By James Mullan
In AFL Sydney’s Premier Division, the North Shore Bombers’ women’s and men’s squads had almost identical seasons. Both sides finished the regular season second on the ladder behind Manly-Warringah Wolves. Both easily won their first qualifying finals last week. And now, both sides have punched their tickets into their grand finals by beating Manly-Warringah. It doesn’t get much better than that for a Norths team in any code.
Heading into their second qualifying final, the men were determined to repeat their Round 14 result against the Wolves, where they ran away with a thumping 64-point victory. However, earlier in the year Manly-Warringah did claim the win over the Bombers in Round 2 and the two sides had been trading top spot on the ladder all season long. To add more fuel to the fire, this was last year’s grand final, where the Bombers triumphed to claim the flag.
The first quarter lived up to expectations, with neither side giving an inch, booting three goals each. A three-behinds-to-six tally gave the Bombers a narrow 24-21 lead at the end of the first quarter. Come the second quarter, the Bombers took flight, kicking five goals and holding the Wolves to only one goal in the period. Tom Gillis spearheaded the offence and led goal scorers with three by the final hooter.
At the half-time break North Shore was up 8.9.57 to 4.4.28. The good times kept rolling for the boys in red and black, dominating in the third quarter and absolutely destroying Manly in the fourth. Not only did they boot seven goals in the second half, but they locked the Wolves down, holding them to just one goal in the half. Cooper Donald, Fraser Thurlow and James Tidermann all claimed doubles, plus Tom Drum, Ethan Grace, Felix Rogers, Max Thomas, Matt Wilson and Max Yeoland all chipped in a goal for a 15.15.105 to 5.15.45 victory.
As usual Christian Loone and Nic Pavlou put in a huge shift in the middle, while Jake Veale also received best player nods. With the win, the Bombers boys are now one win away from defending their title. They will either face Manly in a rematch, or UNSW, whom they beat last week in the first round of finals.
Captain Ned Campbell explained they were not going to get complacent after last year’s premiership “Acknowledging right from the start that it’s a totally new season,” adding “We have a new team, some new coaches, and the comp was definitely going to improve. This mindset has helped keep us hungry and on our toes!”
Campbell also explained the team’s approach to the season. “We’ve done a fair bit of testing this year – be it different game plans, players in new positions or game day preparations. It’s meant we’ve dropped a few games and our form’s been patchy at times, but it’s ensured we’re ready for the unpredictability of finals.”
He believes the club’s culture has been a key factor to their success “Strengthening our connection with the club, especially with our women’s program and U19s. Keeping it fun and social is what local footy’s all about.”
The Women’s squad similarly had lost to the Wolves in Round 2 but won in Round 14, making for another intriguing match-up in finals. From the first hooter, the Bombers proved why they are the best defensive side in the league, holding the Wolves scoreless in the first quarter and to only one point in the second quarter. Meanwhile, they put the foot on the pedal offensively, kicking four goals and three behinds in the first half. Adrienne Keefe was unstoppable, finishing the game with four goals, with young gun Heidi de Saxe providing great service to the forwards.
The second half was much the same. The defensive line led by Amelia Rainbow, Zoe Hurrell and Emily Bliss proved impossible to break, not conceding any goals and only three behinds. Meanwhile, the forward line ramped up in the second half, booting five goals. Cassidy McArthur was in fine form, claiming three goals, supported by Lila Micheletti and Grace Parsons, who both had a goal each. The game was the definition of one-way traffic, as the Bombers triumphed 9.5.59 to 0.3.3. After bowing out in the first round of the finals last season, North Shore’s premier women are heading to the Grand Final this year. They will face either Manly-Warringah or Sydney University, both of whom they have defeated twice this season.
Captain Tilly Eder revealed the secret to the Bombers’ success, telling the Sun, “Teams aren’t built just in one season. This team specifically we’ve been building for years.”
Eder noted the diverse experience within the squad, with “Some girls have been here for 9 seasons, others are having their first year at Bombers.” However, she emphasised, “slowly by slowly, little by little, we’ve been creating the team we are today, including the coaching staff.”
A key factor in their development, according to Eder, was the addition of coach Craig Tidemann last year. “Our coach specifically was a key piece for us that we found last year,” she stated. “Craig has had a keen focus on improvement over the past two seasons which has seen our existing squad members develop.” This focus has not only advanced the team but also the entire women’s program, making it a “highly desirable location for new talent too.”
Ultimately, Eder believes it’s the team’s culture that sets them apart. “It sounds cliché but the thing that has bound us together this year is how much love we have for one another,” she explained. “Everyone has bought into this team, everyone has bought into this season and when we play, it really shows.” Eder concluded, “I think it is truly unique and special to get to experience this kind of care in a team.”