Finals Week 1, 2025 – Men’s & Women’s Premier Division Review

Written by David Redden

 

WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:

In Saturday’s Qualifying Final, North Shore produced a superb defensive performance to defeat Sydney University by 40 points at BISP 1. Final scores were North Shore 7.6.48 to Sydney University 1.2.8.

North Shore led by 19 points at quarter-time, then Sydney University fought back in the second quarter, trailing by just 14 points at the main break. North Shore kept the Students to just 2 points in a dominant second half as they set up a blockbuster Major Semi Final on Saturday against Minor Premiers Manly Warringah.

North Shore had 7 individual goalkickers.

Kiera Yerbury was simply magnificent for North Shore, clearly the best player on the ground. Yerbury had the jets on all day, with her foot speed simply too much for Uni’s midfielders. Yerbury was well supported by Charlotte Tidemann, the clean hands of Zoe Hurrell, gun rovers Lucy Yates & Heidi de Saxe and Ella Daniel. Sydney University’s best players were Ashley Dribbus, Daisy George, Amanda Farrugia, Arabella Price, Lucy Smith, and Niamh McMahon.

UNSW-ES tackled themselves to victory over East Coast Eagles on Sunday at BISP 1, eliminating the threepeat reigning premiers from September action for the first time in many years. The Bulldogs deservedly ran out victors 5.7.37 to 3.1.19.

After the Eagles led by 4 points at quarter-time, the Bulldogs kept East Coast to 1.1.7 in the final three quarters as their aggression, desperate defending and midfield dominance proved too much for the Eagles. East Coast kept key UNSW-ES forward Emily Conlan goalless but did not see much action in their attacking 50 at all in the second half.

Sera Kaukiono, who played at full forward for most of the day, kicked 2 goals for the Bulldogs. Aysha Sanchez kicked 2 of East Coast’s three majors.

Ruck Amaia Wain, who has progressed rapidly this season, showed how important her pure athleticism is to the Bulldogs with a best on ground performance. Wain was ably supported by backline general Shelby Koh, Kaukiono, gun centre Aimee Whelan, Senna Gulden, and Ella Willey. East Coast was best served by outstanding ruck Grace Tracey, Bryany Parker, Renee Tomkins, inside midfielder Taylah Canobie, Jess Whelan, and Matilda Elbourne.

 

WOMEN’S DIVISION 1:

In Womens Division One Week 1 Finals action on Saturday, Randwick City held on in a low-scoring thriller over Sydney University in a game hampered by a strong cross-breeze at BISP 1. Final scores were Randwick City 2.4.16 to Sydney University 2.2.14.

On Sunday, again at BISP 1, North Shore methodically eliminated UTS Bats by 33 points in an impressive performance from an experienced Bombers outfit. Final scores were North Shore 6.7.43 to UTS 1.4.10.

 

WOMEN’S UNDER 20s:

In Womens Under 20s Finals action at Rosedale Oval, Sydney University eliminated UTS Bats from the Under 20s with a strong 33-point win. Final scores were Sydney University 7.4.46 to UTS 2.1.13. In the following fixture at Rosedale Oval, Manly Warringah just edged North Shore in a low-scoring thriller, with the Wolves winning 3.2.20 to North Shore 2.4.16.

 

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:

North Shore produced a professional finals performance in disposing of UNSW-ES by 36 points at BISP 1 on Saturday. Final scores were North Shore 9.13.67 to UNSW-ES 5.1.31.

Excluding a 15-minute period in the second quarter, North Shore controlled the Qualifying Final in a composed performance, setting up an electric Major Semi Final against great rivals and Minor Premiers Manly Warringah on Saturday. After the Bombers led by 15 points at the first break, the Bulldogs came back hard in the second quarter, reducing the margin to a mere 6 points at the main break. The Bombers composed themselves and kicked 6.5 to 2.1 in a dominant and clinical second half, on a day where North Shore kept gun Bulldogs forward duo Hugo Birks and Kieran Emery to just 1 goal each.

Talismanic ruck/forward Fraser Thurlow, already looming as a major problem for the Wolves, kicked 3 goals for North Shore. Thomas Gillis and Max Yeoland chipped in with 2 majors each for the Bombers. Oscar Peter kicked 2 goals for UNSW-ES.

Thurlow again dominated on the big stage, showing how important he is to North Shore’s realistic chances of going back-to-back. Thurlow was well supported by Ethan Grace, Matthew Wilson, Mitchell Rogers, the rapidly developing Cooper Donald, and Felix Rogers, revelling in his role across half-back. UNSW-ES was best served by William Foster, Jake Brown, Jasper Hardy, Jordan Endemann, Sam Thorne, and Jack Willis.

A magnificent second-half performance from finals newcomers South West Sydney Blues saw them run out comfortable 33-point victors over and inaccurate Sydney University at BISP 1 on Sunday, eliminating the Students from the Finals. Final scores were South West Sydney 11.10.76 to Sydney University 5.13.43.

After an even, tough battle in the first half, the Students went to the main break 3 points in front. The Blues then ran amok in the third quarter, kicking 5.4.34 to 0.0.0 as their midfielders finally broke free from the tough-tackling Students to deliver quality ball to Nick Dunshea, Bailey-Dean Latanis and lively lefty William Lockett. The Blues, after an early fightback, settled in the fourth quarter as the Students, despite plenty of opportunities, could only kick 2.5 in the final 30 minutes.

Dunshea kicked 5 goals in an eye-catching display. Latanis and Lockett added 2 goals each for the Blues. Izaac Hughes kicked 2 goals for the Students and could have kicked 5 if his radar had been fully calibrated.

South West Sydney, who play UNSW-ES in the Minor Semi Final on Sunday, was best served by Dunshea, Kain Flynn-Duncombe, Bailey Stewart, skipper Finbar Delbridge, Khy Gibbs and Lockett. Sydney University’s best players were Max Kozlik, Hughes, Lucas Newman, Sam Barkley, Ricky Meyrick (who was the best player on the ground in the first half), and Nicholas Andreacchio.

 

MEN’S DIVISION ONE:

 

In Mens Division One Finals action at BISP 1, Parramatta came from behind to defeat Camden by 23 points in a game again affected by a strong cross-breeze. Final scores were Parramatta 8.5.53 to Camden 4.6.30.

On Sunday at BISP 1, Sydney University thrashed a 19-man UNSW-ES outfit by 70 points, knocking the Bulldogs out of the Finals. Final scores were Sydney University 12.11.83 to UNSW-ES 1.7.13.