New-look Bears set for rematch

After an early upset over the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, the Norths Bears claim to be a different team than they were in Round 5.

NBL1 East star, Emily Simons spoke on behalf of the Bears to confirm they are “ready for a good fight.”

“I think our team have come a long way since that Round 5 game,” Simons told NBL1 Media.

“We were missing our head coach that game and we didn’t have our import Jolene Anderson on our roster just yet.”

?? MANLY AND NORTHS FANS ??

The CLASH of the year, for bragging rights of the North Shore and #NBL1East is up for grabs, but will you be there cheering your girls on? ?

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Norths finished third place on the ladder this season with an 18-4 record. Simons assured the top of the ladder Manly may not see what’s coming after the Bears’ latest strides.

“At that early stage of the season, we were still finding and embracing our team identity. Once we hit the second half of the season we really found that, and we’re rolling with it,” Simons said.

“More recently we’ve been going from stride to stride and finding our strengths each week. But, we’re going into this as an underdog,” she said.

YOUR NBL1EAST WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL BRACKET! ?

Next Saturday, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and Norths Bears will battle it out for bragging rights - who will be crowned the champs of the North Shore? ??

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Averaging 18.6 points and shooting 54.1 per cent from the field this season, Simons is eager to continue her role-playing in the Grand Final.

“Our team has depth and each week I’m just happy to step up and play when needed, and will continue to play that role going into the Grand Final.”

The Bears will face the Sea Eagles in the NBL1 East 2023 Grand Final on Saturday at 2:00pm AEST. You can watch the game Live and Free via Kayo Freebies.