Burleigh Bears claim historic BMD Premiership grand final victory

The Bears came into season 2023 with a few question marks over their squad, due to the turnover in the playing group and the number of new faces that were brought into the mix.

But Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons backrower Gray said it was that doubt and the way the players stuck together throughout the season that helped them get the premiership victory.

Gray - who has won a number of titles with the Bears - said this one was special.

"I feel really excited and blessed and honoured to be holding the cup again," Gray said.

"This is a special one. I’ve played in a lot of grand finals and this one most importantly, it would be one of my most special grand finals.

"It’s us creating history with a new team. We sometimes doubted us and people on the outside doubted us, so to bring the trophy back to the Burleigh Bears, it speaks volumes of the dynasty we’ve been able to create.

"It’s really special, this one."

Gray, who scored the opening try of the match, said she felt from the get go that Burleigh's forward pack were up for the challenge, setting the platform for skipper - and player of the match - Zahara Temara and her halves partner Ashleigh Quinlan to lead the way in attack.

However, she was particularly impressed with the younger Burleigh players and the way they rose to the occasion.

"We started really fast and it came off the back of our forwards working hard," Gray said.

"I was lucky enough to score that first try and happy to score it but it came off the back of everyone doing their job.

"Our younger players really stood up today. You’re always looking at the more experienced players to carry us around the park but the young ones stood up too.

"Zee took control and her and Ash having that combination, it made our job a lot easier. We did a really good job all across the park and everyone did what they were there to do."

Despite the loss for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, the playing group will be able to hold their heads high after today's performance.

The Seagulls finished the regular season in fourth place and upset the competition leaders Souths Logan in the semi-finals and certainly did everything they could to push Burleigh to the brink in the premiership decider.

Wynnum Manly also had to endure the loss of star centre Julia Robinson (hamstring) in the first half, while Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons winger Emily Bass also struggled with a leg injury and halfback Sienna Lofipo went down just before halftime.

While Lofipo managed to play for most of the second half, the battered and bruised Seagulls couldn't match Burleigh's energy and enthusiasm.

Coach Ron Troutman said it definitely hurt, but it was a performance to be proud of.

"It stings, obviously," he said.

"We just missed our mark on a couple of things.

"Cookie (Burleigh coach Scott Cooke) and his girls were more enthusiastic where we lacked a bit of it, and I think that’s where the game got away from us.

"But we were never out of it, which I’m proud of."

And despite the loss, Troutman said his biggest focus now was reminding the players of everything they did achieve this year, in what was just their second season in the BMD Premiership.

"I just addressed them about the year," he said.

"We’re on the up ... we’re really thinking about the good we did and how successful we’ve been.

"I’m really proud of what we’ve done. Everyone should be proud of that.

"We’ve built a really good relationship on the football side so hopefully that secures girls coming back and wanting to be part of it next year."

Following on from the end of the BMD Premiership season, players will now turn their focus to the women's State of Origin series, with the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons team to be named on Monday.