2024 Season Preview – North Shore Bombers

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How do you think your club is placed for Season 2024?

North Shore is looking to be in really good shape this year, with some of the pre-COVID vibe finally coming back!

The women’s program has got plenty of energy about it, the Bombers have been bolstered by some quality players returning, as well as some great young players coming through. It’s always hard to judge how much other clubs will improve, but the Bombers are feeling pretty confident they’ll improve this year.

President John Goode is looking forward to their Premier Division team getting back to challenging the top teams, as well as the strong showings from Division One and Three. Despite the grand final loss for the Men’s Premier Division team, 2023 was a really good year for the men’s program, with 3 flags from 6 teams. “So, it’s hard to say we’re going to improve on those results, but our group definitely has improved.”

In addition, John and the Club are excited to see how the Women’s Under 20’s team will go, as it is a really important group for them, and they are very keen to see them enjoy the season and do well. Moreover, “The Under 19’s is always a hard division to read and even more so this year with the change to 19.5’s, but the team is training well and the vibe in the group is really good, so hopefully that points to a really enjoyable year for them.”

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How is Pre-season progressing?

The pre-season has been hectic, with new co-coaching arrangements in both Premier Division squads, as well as changes in other squads. That has all settled down now and we’re building okay into the start of the season. Numbers are good, despite having some players retire they have had even more players returning and starting with the Bombers. The men’s numbers were a bit slow to build, but we’re getting there now and the women’s numbers are really strong.

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What are some key highlights from around the club this off-season?

It has been a productive off season for The Bombers off field. “We’ve ordered a new full LED scoreboard to replace the one that’s only worked for short periods of time over the last year or so. We’ve been able to do this with the help of some very generous donors and through a great result with finals catering in 2023.”
North Shore has also been able re-sign major sponsors Mortgage Choice Neutral Bay and Athletes Authority. We’ve also been able to sing a new major sponsor in North’s Collective. So we’re really looking forward to building on these relationships, as well as those with our other key sponsors WOTSO and BoomBuild.

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Are there any important events or charity rounds taking place this season? 

Yes, but they do not have any dates yet.

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Upcoming Pre-season Games (Include Match Date, Opponent, Location, Game Times and Division)

• 10/3 WPD and WD1 vs Sydney Uni, Bat n Ball, 8am
• 16/3 WPD, WD1, WD3 vs ECE, Balmoral Road Sports Complex
• 17/3 MU19.5 vs Inner West, Gipps Rd\
• 17/3 Div1/2 vs Inner West, Gipps Rd
• 23/3 WU20, MU19.5D1, MU19.5D2, MD4 and MD5 vs Manly, North Narrabeen Reserve
• 24/4 MPD, MD1 vs Sydney Uni, WPD and WD1 vs Manly at BISP

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Sponsor spotlight (include any sponsors you wish to highlight in the preview):

Mortgage Choice Neutral Bay, Norths Collective, Athletes Authority, WOTSO, BoomBuild, & ISC

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Daniel Roberts the Men’s First Grade Team Coach has also shed some light on the season ahead for his team

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Who is a rising star to watch this year?

There are a number of good young players that people would already be aware of, but in terms of guys who are new, or newish, to Prems footy, I’ll be interested to watch the development of Max Toohey.
Max has come through the Riverview program and has been well coached there. Was our 19’s captain and led well. Tall defender who can go forward.

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Big Ins (Returning or New Players)

Very happy to see Lloyd Perris back on the track. After the well known issues he’s had it’s great to see him running around and enjoying himself.

Fantastic to see Rory Barkley get a full pre-season in after a really rough run with injury over the past few years. Rory is a quality player who can play just about anywhere.

Happy to see Frane Babic back home. Frane came through NS 19’s and seniors before trying his hand in SA. He’ll form a strong ruck combination with Mitch Crisafulli.

Fraser Thurlow is also a good in after joining from Southport. Fraser will be coaching in the early part of the season, but we expect him to play a strong role up forward as the season goes on.

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Big Outs

Will Hopkins has picked up a contract at West Perth, so joins the long list of players interstate.

Tyson Pratt has headed back to SA and Andrew Mathieson has returned to Victoria.

Jamie Vlatko might have finally retired – maybe!

A couple of other guys are still undecided about their footy this year, mostly due to work commitments, but we’ll see how that plays out

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Who is the team to beat in 2024

Have to beat them all!

Expecting Manly to improve again this year and St George to bounce back after a surprising outcome last season. So they’ll be challenging. Wests had some good moments last year too.
In the end though it’s likely to be a UNSW/ES, Pennant Hills, Sydney Uni story. I’ve heard that Sydney Uni have got a couple from East Perth, so that should bring them right back into it.
It’s going to be tight at the end again this year.