NORTH Shore Bombers came from behind to deliver the upset of the 2024 AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division season, defeating East Coast Eagles a goal on Saturday. In a bid to keep in touch with the top sides, the Bombers handed the reigning premiers just their second loss of the season, coming away 6.5 (41) to 5.5 (35) at Gore Hill Oval.

The Eagles were on track to kick away to a comfortable win as expected pre-game, leading by 14 points at the main break. However the Bombers threw a cat amongst the pigeons to knock off the top side with a four goals to one second half to run over the top of the visitors and ladder leaders and announce themselves as a genuine contender.

East Coast was missing some key players in the game, but still looked strong early, tackling from the outside. The likes of Eagles’ ruck Caitlin Reid was teaming up with Summer Hall well, while Emily Bliss was thwarting several early chances for the Bombers. After several misses to start the game, the experience of Jessica Whelan and Caitlin Davidson combined for the latter to put through her side’s first major of the contest from long-range.

The Eagles kept attacking but could not convert their early chances, with the Bombers defence holding up bravely. Then on the courter attack, North Shore got it inside 50 for Lily Sullivan to pounce on a loose ball to get it to her skipper Matilda Eder who punished the Eagles on the fast break turnover. North Shore was on the board, but a second goal almost immediately to Marley Kozak saw the Eagles extend the lead out to nine points by the first break.

Early in the second term, Zoe Hurrell got involved defensively to stop an Eagles attack, while youngster Lucy Yates was phenomenal. The latter looked composed at ground level and started winning crucial contests, while Lila Micheletti was having an influence with her leading patterns and tackling pressure inside 50 for the Bombers.

Despite the work by the Bombers, the class of the Eagles stood out to kick two goals to one again and open up a 14-point lead at the main break. However the Bombers did not give in and kept applying pressure and the momentum eventually turned. They managed to limit the influence of key player Abbey Martin, while their perceived pressure meant uncharacteristic mistakes from the East Coast players.

Bit by bit the Bombers clawed their way back into the game as no one forward stood out, and instead, had six individual goalkickers. Co-captain Olivia Edwards kicked a brilliant goal to spur on her side to victory and led from the front with her defensive accountability. Despite never looking completely comfortable and missing a couple of chances in the final term, the Bombers managed to hold on to get the win by six points.

Yates, Hurrell, Bliss and Edwards were all sensational for the winning side, while Reid, Whelan and Hall stood out for the Eagles.

Though still the team to beat, East Coast will go back to the drawing board and analyse what went wrong in the second half, as they lost some composure and clean hands which opened the door for the home side. While the Eagles will regain talent in the run home that will help, there is still improvement to come from the ladder leaders.

It does not get any easier next week as the Eagles return home to Kanebridge Oval to take on Manly Warringah Wolves in a top of the table clash, while the Bombers hit the road to face fellow finals contender Parramatta over at Gipps Road Ovals.

NORTH SHORE 1.0 | 2.1 | 5.3 | 6.5 (41)
EAST COAST 2.3 | 4.3 | 5.4 | 5.5 (35)

GOALS:
North Shore: T. Collister, M. Eder, O. Edwards, L. Kablau, G. Maher, C. Tidemann
East Coast: C. Davidson, E. Hurley, M. Kozak, L. Moran, B. Parker

BEST:
North Shore: L. Yates, Z. Hurrell, E. Bliss, O. Edwards, C. Tidemann
East Coast: C. Reid. J. Whelan, S. Hall, B. Parker, M. Foscarini

AROUND THE GROUNDS

In another nail-biter, UTS Bats took full advantage of an inaccurate Sydney University despite four less scoring shots. The Bates kicked three goals to nil in the opening term and led by 14 points at the final change. Though the Students hit hard in the last quarter, only managed 1.3 to 0.1 to fall six points short, 6.4 (40) to 4.10 (34). Jessica Quade (five goals) and Jasmine Smith (three) were outstanding for their respective sides up opposite ends.

Parramatta Goannas proved far too good for Pennant Hills Demons, running away with an 86-point victory at Mike Kenny Oval. The Goannas booted nine goals to one in the opening half, then kept their opponents goalless in the second half while adding six more majors to win, 15.6 (96) to 1.4 (10). Lauren Easton and Sophie Kavanagh kicked four goals apiece while Caitlin Fletcher and Chloe Davis were also impressive in the win. Hayley Lowe was the best for the Demons.

UNSW-ES Bulldogs also dominated St George Dragons, storming to a 70-point win at Gipps Road Oval. The Bulldogs put the foot down in the final term after leading by 41 points at the final chance to kick six goals to one and run away with a 12.6 (78) to 1.2 (8) triumph. Emily Conlan slammed home five goals and Gabrielle Wendelin helped herself to three, while Georgia Voura was impressive in the win. Isabella Katzakis was named best on for the Dragons.