North Shore has unveiled its first two signings as the Wade Chapman era gets off to a positive start, including one with a long-term link to the club.
The Seagulls, which went winless in 2026, have appointed Bailey Thompson as playing assistant coach for the next two years.
He joins North Shore after a season with Hampden league club Camperdown.
Before that, Thompson played in Queensland with Sherwood and Central Highlands league clubs Skipton and Beaufort.
However, it’s the arrival of Will Nicholls at Windsor Park that has put the biggest smile on the face of the Shories faithful.
A second cousin of Chapman, Nicholls will be the fourth generation of Nicholls to wear the blue and gold.
His father, Billy Jnr., featured in North Shore’s 1996 premiership as a 15-year-old before joining the Geelong Falcons and then being drafted by AFL club Hawthorn, where he played six matches.
He also played 10 games for Richmond.
Nicholls, who made 15 appearances with the Geelong Falcons this year, has also played at GFNL senior level with Lara in 2025 and Geelong West this year.
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