NORTH Shore Bombers have announced themselves as the team to beat in the 2025 AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division competition with an incredible one-point victory over fellow contenders Manly Warringah Wolves in Round 14. The top of the table clash lived up to all expectations with the bulk of the scoring in the first half, before a goal to Cassidy McArthur sealed the victory.

The clash at Gore Hill Oval was built up as one of the most intriguing contests coming into the game, and arguably the best two sides in it. North Shore’s side has a stack of young draftable talent of which many were out due to Allies or Under 17s representation, while Manly Warringah has a strong core of experienced players while still blooding the youth for the future.

McArthur’s composed major with the game on the line early in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference despite the Wolves having numerous chances going forward. They peppered the goals throughout the last 15 minutes, kicking four straight behinds when five points down. Despite looking most likely to snatch the lead back, the Bombers held their nerve and were able to come away with a crucial four points, 5.3 (33) to 4.8 (32).

In an even contest, the Wolves were able to retain possession with 27 more disposals and 17 more marks, also winning at the coalface thanks to six more clearances. In a game that was largely played between the arcs, Manly had the slight edge in the inside 50s count (29-24) as that experience of Kenya Fahey (23 disposals, eight clearances and six inside 50s), Andrea Roditis (20 disposals, four clearances and three inside 50s) and Hannah Woolf (19 disposals, four clearances, four inside 50s and a goal) really stepped up in the crunch game.

However the Bombers also had some big performances. McArthur did not miss a disposal with her eight touches, two clearances and two goals critical in a low-scoring contest. Olivia Edwards was also able to hit the scoreboard and bring plenty of heat on the day as the Bombers applied great defensive pressure to their experience opposition. Edwards laid six tackles alongside Swans Academy’s Lucy Yates, while Giants Academy’s Amelia Rainbow laid a game-high eight to go with her 10 touches.

Former Giant and Demon Grace Hill recorded a team-high 20 disposals in the win, running at 75 per cent efficiency while having three clearances and laying five tackles. Lily Sullivan and Emily Bliss were also busy in a real even team contribution where no one player completely dominated the game. It was a similar case for the Wolves as Lauren Bull and Lauren Bourgeois controlled the airways.

NORTH SHORE BOMBERS 2.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 5.3 (33)
MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES 2.2 | 3.3 | 4.4 | 4.8 (32)

GOALS:
North Shore Bombers: C. McArthur 2, M. Eder, O. Edwards, L. Micheletti
Manly Warringah Wolves: L. Bourgeois, J. Saggers, K. Salmon, H. Woolf

BEST:
North Shore Bombers: O. Edwards, G. Hill, E. Bliss, L. Yates, L. Sullivan
Manly Warringah Wolves: A. Roditis, L. Bourgeois, K. Fahey, H. Woolfe, O. Cameron

AROUND THE GROUNDS

UNSW-ES Bulldogs dominated Parramatta Goannas to win 110-0 in a one-sided affair at Gipps Road Ovals. Hayley Stanford and Rani Sossai both dominated the midfield for the Dogs, while ruck Amaia Wain impressed with her positioning and clean ball use. Up forward, Emily Conlan slammed home seven of her side’s 16 goals in a dominant performance over the bottom two team. For the Goannas, youngster Marley Rhodes (13 disposals, 13 hitouts, five tackles and three clearances) battled hard against Wain, while Ashley Gray had a team-high 24 disposals across defence.

East Coast Eagles went four points clear in fifth spot with a 19-point victory over UTS Bats at Waverley Oval. The Eagles dominated in the first half with six goals to one, and though the Bats hit back in the second with three majors to one, it was too little, too late. Michelle Fosacarini had 17 disposals,, four clearances and six inside 50s in the win, while Renee Tomkins was busy once again. Bats young guns Aoife Berry and Sophia Gaukrodger both kicked goals in the loss.

In the other match, Sydney University easily got the job done against last placed Pennant Hills Demons, coming away with a huge 16.15 (111) to 0.1 (1) triumph. The Students had 40 clearances to seven and 46 inside 50s to two in a complete blitz of sides up opposite ends of the ladder. Amanda Farrugia (32 disposals, 12 clearances, five inside 50s and two goals) made a mess of her inexperienced opponents, while Jasmine Smith booted five goals to be the dominant forward on the ground. Experienced Demons defender Sheridan Baker clunked seven marks – four contested – from 19 disposals in another valiant effort.