Bears vs Tigers BMD Round 10 Game Report ✍🏼 Michael Nunn

The Burleigh Bears entered their highly anticipated BMD Premiership rematch with the Brisbane Tigers undefeated and looking for more than just another win.

With the Tigers still the reigning premiers after their Grand Final victory over the Bears in 2025, this clash was an opportunity for Burleigh to gain some clarity around the final pieces of their premiership jigsaw.

Instead, the Tigers once again showed why they are the benchmark, holding out the Bears 18-12 in a tight and physical contest at UAA Park.

Brisbane started strongly, racing to an early lead and scoring the first two tries of the match. The Bears were forced to defend their line and work their way back into a contest that threatened to slip away from them.

It took 18 minutes for Burleigh to hit back, with Abigayle Sekitoga providing the spark.

The winger finished clinically to score her seventh try in just nine games, giving the Bears some much-needed momentum and ensuring they remained within striking distance.

From there, the game settled into the arm wrestle many expected from two sides with plenty of finals experience and ambition.

The Tigers held an 8-6 lead at half-time, with neither side able to establish complete control.

For the Bears, the second half was always going to provide the real test.

Could the undefeated side find another gear against the team that denied them premiership glory last season?

The answer was almost, but not quite.

Burleigh continued to fight their way back into the contest, but Brisbane were able to keep the Bears at arm’s length and eventually claim the cash 18-12.

For Burleigh, the result will sting, particularly given their unbeaten record coming into the game, but the value of the contest could prove far greater than another win on the ladder.

This was a genuine measuring stick.

The Tigers showed the Bears exactly what finals football demands — composure when the game is tight, resilience when momentum shifts and the ability to close out a contest when the result is there to be taken.

For Burleigh, there are now valuable questions to answer.

The Bears have been outstanding throughout their undefeated campaign, but this was the first time this season they had faced the reigning premiers with the history of last year’s Grand Final hanging over the contest.

The 18-12 scoreline suggests there is little between the two sides.

And with the finals approaching, that may be the most important takeaway of all.

They will have one more opportunity to sharpen those pieces in the final round when they take on the Central Queensland Capras.