Bears vs Tigers HPC Round 22 Game Report ✍🏼 Michael Nunn

The Burleigh Bears have delivered an old-school finals dress rehearsal at Totally Workwear Stadium, grinding out an 18-12 victory over the Brisbane Tigers in a game where points were hard to find but the Bears once again found a way to win.

The Bears claimed the contest three tries to two and controlled 52 percent of possession, but it was their ability to turn pressure into points that ultimately proved the difference.

Burleigh came out of the blocks with huge momentum, their attack humming as they repeatedly found their way through the Tigers’ defensive line. The Bears finished the game with 46 more runs than Brisbane and won the line-break battle 3-1, continually asking questions of a Tigers defence that refused to break.

The left edge is quickly becoming one of the Bears’ biggest weapons, with Josh Rogers and Jett Bryce again combining to devastating effect.

For the second consecutive game, Bryce crossed after receiving a pass from Rogers, highlighting the growing understanding between the pair. With the finals approaching, that combination is developing into something that opposition sides will have to come up with a plan.

Rogers then turned from creator to scorer, producing what could only be described as a front-rower’s try. Putting his head down, lowering the shoulder and simply going straight at the line, the halfback powered his way through to give the Bears another crucial four-pointer.

But this was a game that demanded patience.

With both sides locked into a physical arm wrestle, Burleigh had to wait another 30 minutes before finding the try line again.

When the opportunity came, Kane Bradley made no mistake.

Bradley calmly fielded a kick and finished the set with a try to give the Bears the breathing space they needed in a contest where every point mattered.

The centre was outstanding throughout the game, producing a massive 219 metres as Burleigh repeatedly relied on him to get them out of trouble and build their sets from the back.

At the other end of the field, Mason Teague once again showed why he is one of the Bears’ defensive workhorses.

Teague topped Burleigh’s tackle count for the 12th time in his 15 games, producing another huge defensive effort as the Bears stood firm against everything the Tigers threw at them.

Teague should start getting his speech ready for Bear of the year. He has been outstanding.

There was nothing flashy about Burleigh’s victory, but that may have been the most encouraging part.

Finals football is often about winning when everything doesn’t go perfectly, and against a determined Tigers outfit, the Bears showed they can grind out a result when points are at a premium.

The attack had moments of brilliance, particularly down the Rogers-Bryce left edge, while the forward effort, defensive resolve and ability to absorb pressure ensured Brisbane never got the opportunity to take control.

Three tries to two. 52 percent possession. 46 more runs. Three-line breaks to one.

The numbers tell the story of a Bears side that kept coming, kept applying pressure and, when the opportunities finally arrived, made them count.

With the finals now looming, Burleigh will take plenty from an 18-12 victory that felt less like a regular-season game and more like a dress rehearsal for the battles that await.

The Bears may not have put on a points-scoring masterclass, but they showed something arguably more important.

This week the Bears will play the Capras in the final round.