2025 Grand Final Preview – Men’s & Women’s Premier Division
Written by Michael Shillito
It’s that One Day in September we want to remember. And there isn’t any doubting we’ll be in there shouting.
Grand Final Day is the pinnacle of the season. The game that everyone aspires to play. All but the elite in our league has been eliminated; just two teams remain. Two rivals, facing each other off and ready to take on the challenge. The prize that only one team can win.
In Men’s Premier Division, for the second straight year, it’s North Shore v Manly. Local rivals from north of the Harbour, battles between these clubs are always keenly felt; but even more so in a Grand Final. North Shore won it last year, Manly were minor premiers this year but it was the Bombers who had the week off and avoided the Preliminary Final. A rivalry clash for the ages.
Bombers’ first ever Women’s Premier Division Grand Final; and Sydney Uni’s first in nearly a decade. These clubs have a keen rivalry across all divisions. They played off in the Qualifying Final three weeks ago, and since then both have recorded finals wins against minor premiers Manly to knock the Wolves out in straight sets. They’re in form and fired up for action.
Don’t forget that if you’re going to the Grand Final, you’ll need a ticket. Head over to Eventbrite to get that sorted. [link – https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/afl-sydney-31150442335 ]. Also note that alcohol and dogs are not permitted to be brought into Blacktown International Sportspark.
This is the game that separates the good from the great. What’s happened until now has got these clubs here, but it’s what happens on the day that determines the fate of the season. History does not honour the team that wins the most games, it honours the team that wins the last game.
It all comes down to this. Glory or regret. Leave nothing in the tank, and history awaits.
MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION GRAND FINAL
North Shore Bombers v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Blacktown International Sportspark, Saturday 4:00pm
Major Semi-Final – North Shore 15.15 (105) def Manly 5.15 (45)
Preliminary Final – Manly 8.11 (59) def UNSW-ES 7.9 (51)
For the second straight year, it’s North Shore and Manly who will play off in Men’s Premier Division’s showpiece game. Local rivals from north of the Harbour, there’s always plenty of feeling when these clubs play off; and even more so with a premiership on the line. This is a Grand Final not to be missed; and there’s no better place to be on Saturday than Blacktown Sportspark. But if you’re not able to get there, and for the Bombers and Wolves diaspora around the globe; make sure you catch all the action live as it happens on Streamer. [link – https://streamer.com.au/match/5831 ]
It’s the fourth meeting between these clubs in 2024. In round 2 at Weldon Oval, the Wolves dominated from start to finish to record a 66-point win. But North Shore turned the tables in round 14 at Gore Hill to take the game by 64 points. Both clubs with big wins at home. Then on neutral territory in the Major Semi-Final, the Bombers were again the better side to record a 60-point victory.
In that Major Semi-Final, it was goal for goal in the first term. But North Shore made the decisive break in the second term with a run of five goals to one; and continued that momentum through the second half as the Wolves were held to a solitary goal after half time. Nick Pavlou, Christian Loone and James Tidemann were influential for the Bombers as they made their way to their fourth straight Grand Final.
In their quest for a winning score, the Bombers will be looking to Matt Buskariol to add to the 38 major scores he has already contributed this season. Also small forwards Max Yeoland and Max Thomas will be looking to crumb everything that goes to ground. Also watch out for Fraser Thurlow, who won the Podbury Medal as best on ground in last year’s Grand Final. Around the ground, there’s plenty of gun power; with Ethan Grace, Jake Veale and Cooper Donald featuring prominently among the Bombers’ best on numerous occasions in 2025.
Manly, having been minor premiers, had a second chance to quality for the Grand Final after that semi-final loss; when they took on UNSW-ES at Bruce Purser in last Saturday’s Preliminary Final. The Wolves were in trouble early, 18 points down at half time and looking down the barrel of a straight sets exit from the finals. But a quality team can bounce back when they’re in trouble, and the Wolves came storming home in the second half; getting the margin back to four points at the last change and taking the lead in the last quarter to win by eight points. Willem Smit, Lachlan Behagg and Sam McMeekan were in the thick of the action in the Wolves’ stirring comeback. It was hard work, but they’ve made it. They’re in the big dance and ready to do some damage.
Zac Youlten has landed 40 goals so far this season, and the Wolves will be looking to him to add some more to that tally to get them over the line. Jesse Wadeisha has also made big contributions up forward; and former Swans and St Kilda forward Trent Dennis-Lane is known to be dangerous on the forward line. Around the ground, look for Barry O’Connor to tun on his Gaelic mastery, and some big contributions from Aiden Adams and Kale Gabila. There’ s no shortage of Wolves who have the potential to stand and deliver on the big stage that is Grand Final day.
Coming from neighbouring areas, he locals, which is most of them at both clubs, have been playing with and against each other since juniors. These clubs and players know each other, they know their strengths and are looking to capitalise on known weaknesses.
So will it be the Bombers flying up up to win the premiership flag? Or will it be maroon and white forever with the Wolves reigning supreme? You won’t want to miss this match. The three meetings between these teams so far have been fairly one-sided; but one can’t help thinking this one is going to be closer. Pride, passion and premiership is on the line. Fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride. This will be a Grand Final for the ages.
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION GRAND FINAL
North Shore Bombers v Sydney University Students
Blacktown International Sportspark, Saturday 1:50pm
Major Semi-Final – North Shore 9.5 (59) def Manly 0.3 (3)
Preliminary Final – Sydney Uni 4.7 (31) def Manly 3.1 (19)
The Women’s Premier Division decider puts North Shore up against Sydney Uni. These clubs started the finals action three weeks ago when they met in the Qualifying Final. Since then the Bombers have recorded a Major Semi-Final win to earn themselves the week off; while the Students have racked up back to back finals wins to make it trough to the big dance. It’s North Shore’s first ever Grand Final at this level; and Sydney Uni’s first for several years. Both are in solid form and ready for action. It’s a game not to be missed; so if you’re out of town or not able to be at Blacktown, get on to Streamer and watch the action unfold. [link – https://streamer.com.au/match/5830 ]
During the regular season, these clubs split their meetings. In round 8 at Sydney Uni No 1, the Students took out a close one by six points. In round 15, North Shore took it out by 21 points at Gore Hill. After both clubs had taken out home wins, North Shore then prevailed by 40 points on neutral territory at Blacktown in the Qualifying Final.
Since then, North Shore made it through to the Grand Final with a comprehensive 56-point win over Manly in the Major Semi-Final. It was a dominant display from start to finish; with the Wolves unable to score a goal as the Bombers extended their lead in every quarter. Adrienne Keeffe landed four goals; while Rising Star winner Heidi de Saxe, along with Zoe Hurrell and Grace Parsons were picking up possessions at will. It was an impressive display for the Bombers, never threatened as they made their way into their first Grand Final.
To get a winning score, the Bombers will be looking for big contributions from twin talls Adrienne Keeffe and Tilly Eder. Keeffe has landed 45 goals so far this year and Eder 27; both can take solid marks under pressure and will be hard to stop. In the midfield, keep an eye on young guns Heidi de Saxe, Charli Tidemann and Lucy Yates; all still eligible for Under 20s but instead accumulating myriad possessions at Premier Division level.
Since that Qualifying Final, Sydney Uni hit back with back to back wins. Firstly defeating UNSW-ES by 11 points in the Minor Semi-Final. Then last week in the Peliminary Final at Bruce Purser, the Students ended Manly’s season with a 12-point win to make it through to the Grand Final. In a low-scoring game, two unanswered goals in the first term got the Students into the lead, and the Wolves were unable to peg that lead back. The experienced hands of Amanda Farrugia, Maryanne Harley and Saskia Johnson were pivotal to the Students’ success. They’ve come close in recent seasons; and finally the dream of returning to Grand Final action is a reality.
Lucy Gilfedder has led the way up forward for Sydney Uni this season, booting 28 goals so far; while Jasmine Smith and Emma Walsh have also been productive in the goal-kicking department. The Students will be looking to them to get a winning score on the board. Around the ground, the proven performers Harley, Farrugia and Johnson will need to get plenty of the ball; while the Students will also be looking for Molly Cameron and Ash Dribbus to step up and create opportunities.
When it comes to comparing the experience levels, there’s a clear difference. Sure, the Bombers have experienced players and the Students have young guns; but overall the Sydney Uni team has plenty who have been there and done that before and know what’s expected of them; while the majority of North Shore’s team are exciting youngsters under the age of 20. Will it be the exuberant youth or the experienced wisdom that prevails?
Get yourself out to Blacktown for this one if you possibly can. A look at the team lineups when they appear on PlayHQ on Friday morning should whet the appetite. Something special is going to happen. These are two proud clubs looking to create history. And you’ll look back in years to come, reminiscing that “I was there when …..”
