22°C | Tuesday October 21, 2025 
21 July 2025
By James Mullan
Norths Basketball
The final round of the NBL1 East season saw a double-header for the Bears, hosting Sydney Comets at home on Friday night and travelling to Penrith to face the Panthers on Saturday.
The women’s side were looking to cement their position in 2nd place to secure a home game in the first week of finals. In their first game of the weekend against the Comets, it was smooth sailing. They jumped out to a 26-12 first quarter. The Comets fought back in the 2nd quarter but absolutely collapsed in the 3rd quarter in the face of a dominant defensive performance by the Bears. Leading the way was former Comets junior turned Bear, Emma Donnelly, who had a huge 25 points and 7 rebounds, while Maddie O’Hehir dropped 23 points for an 89-55 win. On Saturday, O’Hehir was back at it, putting up 18 points. Former Panthers player turned Bear, Caitlin Martin, also had 18 points in a tight victory. The resilient Panthers hung around with heavily favoured Norths, tying on points in the 3rd quarter and even winning the 4th quarter by 8. However, Norths were just too good, holding on for a 77-84 win. With that, the women locked up the 2nd seed to finish the season, and will face last year’s champions, Newcastle, next week at the Bear Cave.
For the men’s squad, they just needed one win from their two games to secure a finals spot. Things started off perfectly on Friday night, holding off an under-manned Sydney Comets in the first half, before running away with the game in the second half for an 83-64 victory. Superstar Hunter Goodrick was unstoppable with 29 points and 13 rebounds. Similarly, on Saturday, the last-placed Penrith also put up a solid fight in the first half but Norths’ class shone through. Iggy Mitchell led scoring with 21 points, while import Austin Patterson put up 19 points. These two wins were enough to secure the 6th seed and a home final next week against arch rivals Manly-Warringah.
Northern Suburbs Rugby
Coming off a victory against Sydney Uni last week, Norths were feeling good as they hosted Eastwood at North Sydney Oval, looking to keep the winning form going. Just 2 minutes into the game, a lovely left flank play 50 metres out opened up the defence to set up Reece Ma’u for the first try of the afternoon. A great start for Norths, but short-lived as Eastwood dived over just 6 minutes later. In the 12th minute, there was more action as Callum Sirker busted through the middle for another Shoremen try, followed by a penalty kick minutes later for an early 17-7 lead. Eastwood again responded in the 24th minute. Norths weren’t to be discouraged, extending their lead thanks to an incredible grubber and chase try to Henry O’Donnell. In the 33rd minute, Norths were over again in the form of try-scoring wonder James Margan, who drove off the back of a ruck to crash over. At halftime, the home side had a comfortable 31-14 lead.
Eastwood came out of the sheds strong, scoring a converted try 10 minutes into the half. Again, Norths responded and again Reece Ma’u was over on the left side. Fans at North Sydney Oval were loving the points fest. Eastwood scored again off a kick in the 61st minute. In case you hadn’t noticed the pattern: Norths then crossed again, with Callum Sirker claiming his second try. Again, Eastwood would respond but it was too little too late as Norths outgunned them for a 45-35 victory. A tough match-up lies ahead for Norths as they travel to Randwick.
View this post on Instagram
North Sydney Bears
A rare international trip for the Bears over the weekend, flying to New Zealand to face the Warriors. After conceding in the 4th minute of the game, it took the Bears until the 21st minute to get on the board thanks to a try from Israel Ogden. A quick bright spot before a dark half for Norths, conceding 3 unanswered tries for an 18-6 halftime deficit.
Tuipulotu Katoa gave the Bears a sign of hope after he scored, pouncing on a grubber kick for a try. The boys in red and black would then concede twice more, before Matt Stimson scored a try off yet another well-placed kick in the 67th minute. 28-18 down, Norths still had a chance but the Warriors were too good, putting the icing on the cake in the 78th minute with a try, to secure a 32-18 victory. With only 6 rounds left in the season, the Bears will look to bounce back next week when they host the Western Suburbs Magpies.