AFL Sydney’s Opening Round saw four divisions called into action; including three of our 2025 premiership teams. The luck of the draw saw all our fixtures as away games, with two matches at Gipps Road and two at Picken Oval.
Three of our teams enjoyed success by more than 90 points, as both our Premier Division teams plus Under 19.5s Division One hit the ground running. But it was heartbreak for Mens Division One, as they went down in a cliff-hanger.
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All our teams will take a week off over the Easter weekend before the competition resumes with a full round for all divisions on the weekend of 11th-12th April. Fixtures will be put up on here when AFL Sydney release them.
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MENS
Mens Premier Division commenced their premiership defence with a clash against Inner West Magpies at Picken Oval. Kicking into the wind in the first quarter, the Bombers worked to a 10-point quarter time lead; and were able to double that in the second term despite a late run by the Magpies. The Bombers tightened the screws in the second half, holding the Magpies to a single goal as the margin blew out to 95 points. Jackson Nelson landed six goals; while Felix Rogers and Luke Giacometti each scored four. Around the ground, Angus Loebel, Guy Richardson and Jake Veale were prominent contributors.
Our Reserves were away at Gipps Road against the Goannas, a replay of last year’s Grand Final. The Goannas’ seniors, including quite a few with NEAFL experience, were a tough first-up opponent; but the Bombers looked to be getting on top after an even first half, working their way to a 16-point lead at three quarter time. But the Goannas kept coming in the last, and it was heartbreak as the Bombers were pipped at the post to go down by two points. Young guns Matthew Sidhu, Ned Hardman and Charlie Brownlaw were best for the Bombers.
Under 19.5s Division One hit the ground running with five unanswered goals in the first quarter, and the Magpies would not find the big sticks until moments before the half time siren. By then the Bombers had built up a handy lead; but they kept the work rate going in the second half to compete a comprehensive 92-point win. Josh McMeekin helped himself to four goals; while Jackson Stubbs, Zac Duane and Alex Belousoff were prolific possession winners around the ground.
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MENS PREMIER DIVISION (SENIORS)
| North Shore | 4.6.30 | 9.10.64 | 15.11.101 | 22.16.148 |
| Inner West | 3.2.20 | 7.2.44 | 7.3.45 | 8.5.53 |
Goals – J Nelson 6, L Giacometti 4, F Rogers 4, P Bolger 2, T Gillis 2, A Loebel 2, C Donald, J Hemmings.
Best – A Loebel, G Richardson, J Veale, F Rogers, J Nelson, P Roseby.
At Picken Oval, Saturday 28th March 2026.
Ladder (Match Ratio) – Sydney Uni (100, 291.49%), North Shore (100, 279.25%), UTS (100, 222.84%), South-West Sydney (100, 144.68%), Manly (100, 115.68%), UNSW-ES (0, 88.52%), Pennant Hills (0, 69.12%), East Coast (0, 44.92%), Inner West (0, 35.81%), St George (0, 34.31%).
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MENS DIVISION ONE (RESERVES)
| North Shore | 1.1.7 | 3.2.20 | 7.3.45 | 8.4.52 |
| Parramatta | 1.2.8 | 4.4.28 | 4.5.29 | 7.12.54 |
Goals – M Robinson 2, L Whiley 2, W Carlaw, W Hopkins, L Jones, A Orsini.
Best – M Sidhu, N Hardman, C Brownlaw, H Edwards, N Robinson, W Hopkins.
At Gipps Road Oval, Saturday 28th March 2026.
Ladder (Match Ratio) – UNSW-ES (100, 336.00%), Sydney Uni (100, 217.39%), Pennant Hills (100, 108.20%), Parramatta (100, 103.85%), North Shore (0, 96.30%), South-West Sydney (0, 92.42%), St George (0, 46.00%), Manly (0, 29.78%), Camden (DNP).
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MENS UNDER 19.5s DIVISION ONE
| North Shore | 5.6.36 | 8.10.58 | 10.14.74 | 16.17.113 |
| Inner West | 0.0.0 | 1.1.7 | 2.2.14 | 3.3.21 |
Goals – J McMeekin 4, C Clarke 2, M Dettman 2, J Stubbs 2, S Cooper, A Mistry, J Rees-Woods.
Best – J Stubbs, Z Duane, A Belousoff, J McMeekin, M Dettman.
At Picken Oval, Saturday 28th March 2026.
Ladder (Match Ratio) – Pennant Hills (100, 2475.00%), North Shore (100, 538.10%), Sydney Uni (100, 341.94%), UNSW-ES (100, 138.10%), UTS (100, 123.53%), East Coast (0, 80.95%), Manly (0, 72.41%), St George (0, 29.25%), Inner West (0, 18.58%), South-West Sydney (0, 4.04%).
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WOMENS
Womens Premier Division’s premiership defence took them first up to Gipps Road for a clash with Parramatta. The Goannas failed to score in both their clashes against the Bombers last year; and this would be the third clean sheet in a row as the Bombers once again held the Goannas scoreless to cruise to a 94-point win. Adrienne Keeffe landed four goals; and along with Sophie Kavanagh and Charli Tidemann was among the Bombers’ best. The perfect start to the season, with a percentage of infinity.
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MENS PREMIER DIVISION (SENIORS)
| North Shore | 5.2.32 | 8.7.55 | 11.13.79 | 13.16.94 |
| Parramatta | 0.0.0 | 0.0.0 | 0.0.0 | 0.0.0 |
Goals – A Keeffe 4, A Thomas 2, L Watson 2, E Cleghorn, M Eder, R Fagg, S Kavanagh, L Yates.
Best – S Kavanagh, C Tidemann, A Keeffe, H de Saxe, M Eder, E Daniel.
At Gipps Road Oval, Saturday 28th March 2026.
Ladder (Match Ratio) – North Shore (100, infinity%), Sydney Uni (100, infinity%), UNSW-ES (100, 360.00%), UTS (100, 317.85%), East Coast (0, 31.48%), Manly (0, 27.78%), Parramatta (0, 0.00%), St George (0, 0.00%), Pennant Hills (DNP).
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