BMD Captain- Teaghan Hartigan

From that incredible first premiership that was earned 10 years ago to their groundbreaking seventh title in 2023, Burleigh went from trying to take down the titans of female rugby league in the Souths Logan Magpies to becoming the team to beat.

For current captain Teaghan Hartigan – who was part of the 2021 premiership-winning squad – that legacy is one she is well aware of.

But, as she prepares to lead her side into yet another BMD Premiership grand final this Saturday, she is ready to create her own legacy.

Like many other teams in the BMD Premiership, the Bears had to start from scratch this year.

With the competition running concurrently with the NRLW for the first time, Burleigh lost 10 players from last year’s squad and have had to rebuild, signing players from local competitions and bringing Under 19s girls through the pathways.

For Hartigan, it was a rollercoaster season to get to the decider. But it just shows why this new-look squad are making their own history.

“To win it would be really special this year,” Hartigan said.

“I know other clubs have done it too, but we had 10 girls from last year move on so it’s been a huge year of transition for us. 

“I don’t think anyone gave us a shot from the start. And the way the season’s gone, no one has backed us for a chance to be in the semi-finals, let alone a grand final. 

“It’s really cool the belief we’ve built in the group. What we have now is so special.

“Something that’s in our mind is that it’s been 10 years since our first premiership, since the Bears beat that Souths team. 

“We got the first job done (this year) when we knocked Souths out in the semi. Now we want to uphold the legacy but also create our own legacy and this (grand final) is our chance to do it.”

Hartigan said she has watched as the confidence in the team slowly developed across the season.

There were a number of moments where she could see the squad were getting it right. 

Round 4 against Norths Devils had glimpses of their potential. Round 5 against the Northern Pride then became their best performance of the season, at that point. And Round 6 against the Brisbane Tigers showed them they could match it with the competition leaders. 

Each week was a little step forward and while they were still hurdles and stumbles to come, Hartigan knew they were developing a belief that could not be broken.

“There were certain games where we knew, this is what we looked like when we play our best footy,” she said.

“There’s been glimpses in games that have been a shining light. We always had the belief in each other. But those games highlighted the squad believed in themselves as well.

“The expectation from the get-go is to win it. I didn’t shy away from that at all. 

“The club demands excellence and I think that’s something our new squad members have learnt and really have a hold of now. 

“It’s why we’ve had the run we’ve had to this point.”

The hooker, who has been with the club since 2020, has some personal motivations this weekend as well.

Hartigan plays with her sisters – Ebony and Sienna Laing (injured) – while her father, Aseri Laing, is the BMD Premiership’s team trainer and a former Burleigh great himself.

As a mother-of-four, the 29-year-old is excited to not only try to earn this family achievement, but to show her two sons and two daughters the importance of sport, hard work and teamwork.

“I often take all four of my kids to training. My girls are obsessed with doing our warm up with us,” she said. 

“I was obviously there when my dad was playing and I remember playing around while he was training and now I’m doing that with my kids…  it’s a pretty cool thing to think I was running around in the carparks and on the back field when dad was at training and his games.

“It’s a full circle moment. 

“To be in the same spot to win a premiership with him and my two sisters, it’s a really cool thing to achieve and a cool family moment. It will be great to hold the trophy up together.”

But mostly Hartigan wants to do it for her team and her club.

The proud skipper has watched how far they’ve come this year and to go one step further and beat the undefeated Brisbane Tigers at Kay Stadium on Saturday, it would be a dream come true.

“No matter what year it is, no matter if you won or lost, being a Burleigh Bear, it’s a real privilege,” she said. 

“Once you put on the jersey, you will always be a Burleigh Bear.

“That connection that was built from the start with Karina Brown, (Tahnee) Norris and Zee (Temara), it’s something that’s continued. 

“It’s just in the jersey, in the DNA, to have that pack mentality and always stick together. 

“Now it’s about carrying the legacy. There’s a standard to uphold. It’s not just for us this weekend, but every single person involved in our team.”