Bears vs Magpies BMD Grand Final Pre Game Report ✍🏼 Michael Nunn

The Bears have spent almost the entire 2026 season sitting at the top of the mountain. They went through the regular season only losing one game, survived two draws along the way and then fought their way through the finals to earn another shot at the Grand Final.

Now comes the hardest part.

Finishing the job.

Burleigh will walk into Kayo Stadium on Saturday knowing exactly what Grand Final heartbreak feels like after the Brisbane Tigers ended their 2025 campaign with a 22-6 victory.

This time, the opponent is Souths Logan.

And while the Magpies finished fourth, their position on the ladder tells only part of the story.

They have one of the most dangerous attacking squads in the competition and showed exactly what they are capable of in Saturday’s preliminary final, holding off minor premiers Norths Devils 30-24 at Premiers’ Park to earn their place in the decider. Souths Logan raced to a 20-10 half-time lead before Norths fought back to within two points, but the Magpies found the plays they needed to survive.

Burleigh’s path was every bit as demanding.

The Bears led Brisbane Tigers 16-4 at half-time and looked in control before the Tigers launched a desperate second-half fightback. Burleigh eventually held on 24-22, securing a second consecutive Grand Final appearance.

It means the Bears have earned another 70 minutes to turn last year’s disappointment into this year’s celebration.

But Souths Logan will have something to say about that.

The unfinished business

The Bears have been the competition’s benchmark for much of 2026.

Burleigh were sitting undefeated after nine rounds, with their success built around an extraordinary running game. The Bears had run for more metres than any other team in the competition, with fullback Sienna Laing leading the way at almost 140 metres per game.

That hasn’t changed when the pressure has increased.

Laing has continued to be one of Burleigh’s most dangerous attacking weapons, scoring the opening try against the Tigers after a brilliant break from Memory Paitai in the preliminary final.

But the Bears are not reliant on one player.

Matisse Bettridge has emerged as a dangerous young half, while Teaghan Hartigan provides the experience and composure that Grand Finals demand.

Then there is Tavarna Papalii.

The powerful centre scored when these sides met in Round 5, helping Burleigh establish a 20-6 half-time lead before Souths Logan fought back. The Bears eventually won 26-20 at Davies Park.

That result is now almost irrelevant.

A Grand Final has a way of wiping the slate clean.

The Magpies are coming

Souths Logan will arrive without the burden of having to prove they belong.

They have already done that.

Their attack has been one of the competition’s great weapons, with Skyla Adams providing plenty of threat in the halves and a powerful group of forwards including Keira Rangi, Ngatokotoru Arakua, Amanii Misa and Harlem Walker.

Kiarah Siauane has also emerged as a genuine attacking threat on the edge.

And there has been a significant change in the Magpies’ season.

Earlier in the year, their defence was a concern. They had conceded the third-most points after six rounds. But by the time the finals arrived, Souths Logan had tightened considerably, conceding just eight points per game across a three-game stretch.

That defensive improvement has now carried into September.

The Magpies conceded 24 against Norths, but when the Devils came charging back in the second half, Souths Logan found a way to withstand the pressure.

That resilience will be tested again.

This time, the team on the other side of the field has not lost a game all season.

Key Battles

Sienna Laing v the Magpies’ left edge

Laing has become one of Burleigh’s biggest attacking weapons this season, combining power and speed from the back. The Magpies cannot afford to give her room because once Laing gets through the first line, she has the pace to turn half a chance into six points.

Memory Paitai v Skyla Adams

Two young halves with plenty of attacking influence will have a huge say in how this Grand Final unfolds.

Paitai has been one of Burleigh’s breakout players with six tries in 11 games, while Adams’ size and ability to challenge the defensive line has been a major asset for Souths Logan.

Whoever controls the middle of the field will give their half the platform to dictate the game.

Tavarna Papalii v the Magpies’ middle

Papalii already knows how to hurt Souths Logan.

But the Magpies will have learnt from that afternoon.

If Burleigh can win the middle and allow Papalii to run against a retreating defence, the Bears will be able to bring their dangerous outside backs into the contest.

Players to Watch

Sienna Laing – Burleigh Bears

The fullback has been one of the stories of Burleigh’s season. Replacing NRLW-bound Jasmin Morrissey was no small assignment, but Laing has made the position her own and remains a constant threat with the ball in hand.

Tavarna Papalii – Burleigh Bears

Two tries against the Magpies in Round 5 and another powerful final campaign have put Papalii right in the middle of Burleigh’s premiership hopes.

Memory Paitai – Burleigh Bears

Paitai’s move into the six roles has added another dimension to the Bears. Her ability to inject herself around the ruck and then shift back into the attacking line gives Burleigh another point of attack.

One last job

The Bears have spent 2026 building towards this moment.

They have been the team everyone has been chasing.

They have survived close games, survived the pressure of finals football and survived a desperate Tigers comeback to get back to Kayo Stadium.

But none of that matters on Saturday afternoon.

There is no prize for being the best team over 10 months if you cannot finish the final 70 minutes.

Souths Logan has earned their place here and will arrive believing they can cause the upset.

The Bears arrive with something else.

An opportunity.

Last year, they walked away from Kayo Stadium without the trophy.

On Saturday, they get another chance to leave with it.

One game.

One last job.