As the sun set across the North Sydney skyline we were blessed with a clear winter’s night for our Friday Night Footy at home at Bear Park. The fire pillars radiated warmth and the live DJ spined the tunes from the media tower next to the historic Ken Irvine scoreboard. No better way to kick off the weekend than with a Bear Park Beer in hand, a Volkswurst German sausage in your belly and the Bears playing front and centre. Eager fans spotted Mal Meninga, Perth Bears inaugural Head Coach, at the game who was there to cheer on the Bears and gain a further sense of what our club brings to the partnership.

The Jason Taylor Cup was on the line for 2025 and the crowd were expecting a hot contest for it. The first 40 minutes were less than ideal on the field with the Bears making numerous mistakes and finding it difficult to find their flow. The Magpies managed to run in three converted unanswered tries sending the red & black to the change rooms down 0 – 18 at half time and with a big task on their hands if they were to turn the game around.

The next 40 minutes brought energy, skill and excitement. Within minutes from the kick-off the Bears were attacking and Jayden Yates barreled himself across the line. Kieran Hayman easily converted and we were on the board! Seven minutes later and the Bears were attacking the line again; Jesse Marschke puts in a grubber that sits up just enough for Riley Meyn to barge through and expertly place the ball down before the dead ball line. Again, Hayman converts, and the score now sits at 12 – 18. A solid ten minutes of defensive play continued to keep Wests from scoring and gaining the Bears another opportunity to strike.

las the silverware went to the Magpies this season, with the final score 22 – 24. Jake Toby swing a quick long ball out to the wing to find Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown who plants the ball in the corner with amazing acrobatic skills, while also copping a hand or two in the face. The sideline conversion is unsuccessful, and the score sits at 16 – 18. For the first time in thirty minutes, the Magpies are strongly attacking the line and in a desperate play from Toby sees him contact the players head and the opposition are awarded an 8-point try. Not done yet, the Bears fight on and Hayman collects up a loose ball to take the 4 points under the posts. After converting his own try, the score shines at 22-24 with nine minutes left on the clock. the red & black continue to push forward but unfortunately cannot bring to fruition a last play for points. The final siren blasts and the Magpies take the points and the Cup.