23°C | Tuesday October 21, 2025 
7 March 2025
By James Mullan
North Sydney Bears will enter the 2025 NSW Cup season with renewed determination after back-to-back Grand Final defeats, aiming to secure their first premiership since 1993.
The Bears will begin their campaign on the road against the Sydney Roosters at Wentworth Park, Ultimo, on Sunday, 9 March, at 3:00 PM.
Continuity remains a key strength for the squad, with nine of the 12 Norths-contracted players returning from last season. The Bears have also welcomed back several former players, including Jesse Marschke, who returns as captain after a season with St George Illawarra.
Marschke, entering his eighth NSW Cup season and fourth with North Sydney, was instrumental in the Bears’ 2023 Grand Final push, scoring 11 tries and 29 goals for a 103-point season. Speaking at the club’s season launch, he described his return as a homecoming.
“North Sydney, for me, honestly, it’s like home,” Marschke said. “I love the people at this club, the players who have been here over the years, and the people behind the scenes. They are what makes this club special. I’m very excited for this year.”
Trey Brown also returns to Norths, having last played for the club in the 2018 Jersey Flegg season. After six seasons in the Queensland Cup with Central Queensland Capras—where he played 92 games and scored 188 points—Brown trained under Wayne Bennett as part of the Dolphins NRL program.
“I’ve come back a more mature and disciplined person,” Brown said. “It’s a full-circle moment for me. I’ve worked on my craft and improved both on and off the field.”
Tony Barnes joins as head coach, bringing 31 seasons of experience, including 13 years with the Sydney Roosters, where he led their NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg sides. Most recently, he was assistant coach for the 2024 NSW Cup-winning Newtown Jets, who defeated the Bears in last year’s Grand Final.
“My focus is on fostering an atmosphere of loyalty, respect, and harmony that aligns with the club’s direction,” Barnes said.
The squad has made key additions, including former Parramatta centre Morgan Harper, who has also played for Canterbury and Manly, and represented the Māori All Stars and Junior Kiwis. Harper has appeared in 64 NRL matches. Former South Sydney captain Chase Chapman, a standout prop and NSW Universities skipper, joins after ranking 10th in tackles made last season with 624.
The Bears have confirmed their leadership group for 2025, comprising Jake Toby, Ben Talty, Philip Makatoa, Nathaniel Roache, and captain Marschke.
Talty, a second-rower entering his third season at North Sydney, played a crucial role in last year’s Grand Final push, scoring eight tries.
“If we take pride in how we train, we’ve got the ability here,” Talty said. “We’ve had it for a couple of years now. If we maintain our standards and turn up each week, we’ll go a long way again this season.”
Toby impressed in his 2024 debut season, scoring seven tries and ranking 14th in the competition for metres run. Roache, despite an injury-affected season, made an impact in his four appearances, registering 54 tackles and guiding the team from dummy half. Makatoa, entering his third year with Norths, continues to be a key presence in the forward pack.
As in previous years, the Bears’ opening rounds will be played away due to cricket commitments at North Sydney Oval. The club will host a game at Central Coast Stadium against Souths on Sunday, 13 April, before returning to Bear Park on Sunday, 9 May, for a clash against New Zealand.
For full squad details, visit: North Sydney Bears 2025 NSW Cup team