North Shore Bombers v Parramatta Goannas

Round 7, 2026

These two sides met for the second time in the 2026 season, with memories of Round 1 not too distant yet, where the North Shore Bombers executed their best against the undermanned Parramatta Goannas to lay on a 94 - nil win at Gipps Road Oval. Now they face each other on the turf of Gore Hill for round 7. 

The first quarter began with a strong tackle from Goanna’s Montana Doubell (14), but the free kick missed its target in Parramatta's transition, and was quickly intercepted by the Bombers and guided into their first inside 50. Parramatta’s defensive pressure would keep the Bombers scoreless for 7 gruelling minutes, but with the likes of Clubb (6), Kavanagh (7) and ruck Daniel (14) posted along the 50 arc, the Goanna’s clearance efforts were futile. It wasn’t long before Lucy Yates (5) would burst from a stoppage to give the Bombers their first goal. Now ensued the relentless surge footy that has become synonymous with the North Shore Bombers, with any turnover earned by the Goanna’s met with a wall of handballs to bring the Bombers back to their 50. The Goanna’s turned to Trevitt (5) and Mifsud (22), who presented exceptional tackling pressure, keeping the score to 3.3.21 - 0.0.0, the Bomber’s lowest 1st quarter against the Goanna’s since 2024. 

An early centre clearance saw the Bomber’s score quickly in the second quarter, showing no signs of easing their momentum as the game continued. The Goanna’s midfield responded with a clearance of their own, and after a free kick awarded to Mifsud near the Goanna’s interchange, the ball found its way into McHale's (31) hands to have a shot on goal. A torp from 40 metres out flirted with the goal line, but in the end, no score was awarded, and the ball exited the Goanna’s 50 quickly through Tidemann (4). Within the next 13 minutes, the Bombers would have 11 Inside 50 entries, and 3 set shots, each resulting in a behind or less due to the resolute Gray (13) manning the goal square. Only in the final minute of the quarter did the Bombers find their target in Keefe (12), who kicked the goal, adding to that which she scored earlier in the quarter. The Bombers went into half time leading 5.7.37 - 0. 

North Shore continued to shock the Goanna’s with their pace and efficiency, with brilliant passages of play from captain and 50 gamer

Hurrell (21) and her winger Watson (35) that kept the Bombers out of trouble whenever the ball crossed into their defensive zone. An early goal from Martin (18) set the pace for the second half, guaranteeing contest and forward pressure from the home side. The Goanna’s were caught, flat-footed and lost for solutions as the Bomber’s midfield and forward line drove through contests with an urgency their opposition were lacking. North Shore went on to kick 3 more goals, 2 won from excellent contested marks by Martin and Daniel, and the third a dominant passage of handballs around the arc, with the credits going to Sullivan (23) in the end. The Bombers left the third quarter in a comfortable lead 9.10.64 - 0, daring the Goanna’s to take them on the final term. 

The Bombers moved Tidemann into the mids, a switch that paid for itself in the opening moments of the 4th quarter, when she weaved through traffic to give hands to Sullivan, who’s reliable distance landed the ball in the goal square for Clubb to collect and score. There would be no slowing down for the home side. Quickly, they piled on another major, and the Goanna’s searched amongst themselves, to find who could step up and stem this bleed. It would take one more goal from small forward Orsini (30) before the Goanna’s could solidify a result of their own. Their response started slowly, but surely, as Vice Captain Noack (16) increased the tackling pressure of the side. What could’ve been another defensive clearance from the Bombers ended in a crippling tackle from Trevitt, that, along with a 50 metre penalty, placed her 10 metres from the goals to put the Goannas on the board. The pressure continued, as McGinty (15) laid a handful of tackles throughout the midfield to hold her team's position, and another behind on the board was put for the visitors. However, the Bomber’s pace could not be matched, with a string of handballs by Lucy Yates (5), Elizabeth Yates (22), Cleghorn (26) and Maher (47) carrying the ball cleanly from the Bombers full back to their forward 50. The game ended with no further score, giving Bombers the convincing win of 82-7. 

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