Essendon's two affiliated clubs - the North Shore Bombers and the Redland Bombers - are dominating their respective competitions. After Round 3 both teams are sitting on top of their competition ladders and both are undefeated. North Shore's most convincing performance to date was last weekend against Western Suburbs. Previously undefeated and significantly stronger than last season, Western Suburbs challenged the reigning premiers but ultimately could not match the quality of the Bombers across the field.

For the Bombers, three time best and fairest winner Mark Brady has been back in vintage touch this season and his teammates on the half back line in Mark Livy and Chris Bishop have also been amongst the best this year. North Shore chief executive Darren Simpson said Bishop has taken to the half back line beautifully. ""Bishop has been reading the play well and his delivery up the ground have been first class. New recruit Steve Cutler has also been a handy player for us. Playing in the centre, Cutler is hard at the contest and feeds the ball out to his teammates regularly,"" Simpson said. North Shore take on Balmain next Saturday 18 May. Balmain are sitting fourth on the ladder, so the Bombers will have their work cut out for them to win.

It has been a promising start to the 2002 season for the Redland Bombers, who finished fourth last year in the Queensland Football League. The team has put in three solid performances and will be looking for its fourth victory this weekend against arch rivals Morningside. In his first season with the Redland Bombers, Simon Nash is proving a handful for opposition clubs with his strong work around the packs. The forward line of O’Brien, Tannahill, Scott and Ellis is also causing trouble for other teams. O'Brien booted 11 goals in Redland's 157-point Round 1 victory over Mayne.

Bomber fans can stay close to the North Shore and Redland Bomber action via the BomberLand website. Lets hope they can continue their winning form!