NORTH Shore Bombers have become a dominant force in AFL Sydney, winning flags across a stack of grades over the weekend, with the Women’s Premier Division side claiming a 10-point win over Sydney University. Funnily enough, it was the exact same margin as 12 months ago, continuing the trend of identical results during the post-season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Shore overcame inaccuracy to post a 6.12 (48) to 6.2 (38) victory at Blacktown International Sportspark, completing a finals series that for the second season in a row, saw the Bombers come from second to knock off the other top three sides for the flag. In a match where the Bombers built momentum through the second then held on late after looking home, North Shore triumphed to paint the town red and black once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Sydney University booted the first goal through Jessica Lee Urquhart<\/strong> with a strong mark in the goalsquare, North Shore piled on four of the next five – and had 10 scoring shots to two – to race out to an 18-point lead at the main break. Addison Hickey<\/strong> was the Bombers’ first goalscorer, putting her side back in front after four straight behinds, gathering well and sensing opportunity with an open goalsquare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Competition leading goalkicker Adrienne Keeffe<\/strong> was not to be denied after a trademark contested grab up against Natalie Waterson in the first two minutes of the second term. Heidi de Saxe<\/a> found her with a terrific kick to advantage. Her second – which was the Bombers’ next – came 13 minutes later, before Lucinda Watson<\/a> got one the end of handball chains and a goal assist from fellow Swans Academy member Charlotte Tidemann<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Students hit back with the only major of the third term thanks to some magic and a favourable bounce from Urquhart to cut the deficit back to 13 points, as well as the first goal of the fourth term – from a similarly clever snap off the boot of Jessica Robertson<\/strong> out of the forward stoppage – to make it a 10-point deficit in the eighth minute after a flurry of behinds, mostly up the other end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any concerns about the Bombers’ failing to really make the most of their scoring chances were soon put to rest, with North Shore steadying through back-to-back goals – to Emily Cleghorn<\/strong> and top-age draft hope Ava Horneman<\/a> – midway through the term to make it a game-high 22-point lead. Sydney Uni did hit back but the last two goals of the game were too little, too late and the Bombers were able to enjoy a 10-point premiership victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a dominant game of forward half possession, with the Bombers racking up 37 inside 50s to 20, off the back of winning clearances, 33-28. The Students kept themselves in it with their pressure (68 tackles to 63) and having their fair share of possession when in space. Sydney Uni took 35 marks to 22, of which 29 of them were uncontested, however just one was inside 50 while the Bombers clunked eight. Sydney Uni was also impacted by the loss of Saskia Johnson<\/strong> to injury early, with the talented ball-winner one of the Students’ key players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mostyn Medallist Lucy Yates<\/a> continued her sparking 2026 season with another huge performance on the biggest stage, winning the best on ground medal for 28 touches, two marks, seven clearances, four tackles and six inside 50s in the premiership win. Fellow midfielder de Saxe was not far behind with 23 disposals, eight clearances, five tackles and four inside 50s, while Bombers’ recruit in season 2026 and former AFLW forward Sophie Kavanagh<\/a> was busy throughout with 20 disposals, four tackles and seven inside 50s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeffe booted two goals from 11 disposals and five marks – four contested – to be a beacon up front, while young guns Tidemann (13 disposals, five tackles) and Watson (12 dispsosals, two clearances and a goal) were both busy. Bottom-age Swans Academy member Genevieve Hynes<\/a> had 11 touches, four tackles and three inside 50s, while Horneman managed 10 disposals, four marks – one contested – and a goal from her day out. Addison Hickey<\/a> (14 disposals, six tackles and a goal) was also industrious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the Students, veteran Amanda Farrugia<\/a> had claims for the best on in a losing side, stuffing the stats sheet with 34 touches, 11 clearances, 10 tackles and four inside 50s to do all she could, while bottom-age draft prospect Madison McCarthy<\/a> held her own throughout the contest, picking up 17 disposals, six marks – five contested – four tackles and a goal proving her work working up and down the ground. Emma Walsh<\/a> and Lucy Gilfedder<\/strong> left it all out there, with the later booting two goals from 14 disposals, three marks and four clearances, as Evie Bowie<\/a> had her moments on the way to 13 disposals, five tackles and two inside 50s and Molly Cameron <\/strong>dominated the ruck with 48 hitouts and seven tackles from just five touches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NORTH SHORE BOMBERS 1.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 6.12 (48) GOALS: RMC BEST: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 6.2 (38)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Shore: <\/strong>A. Keeffe 2, E. Cleghorn, L. Watson, A. Hickeey, A. Horneman
Sydney Uni: <\/strong>J. Urquhart 2, L. Gilfedder 2, M. McCarthy, J. Robertson<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Shore:<\/strong> L. Yates, H. de Saxe, S. Kavanagh, Z. Hurrell, L. Watson
Sydney Uni: <\/strong>A. Farrugia, L. Gilfedder, M. McCarthy, E. Bowie, M. Cameron<\/p>\n\n\n\n