Grand Final weekend delivered on the excitement as teams across the Harvey Norman u19, Cyril Connell Cup and Harvey Norman u17 competitions each showcased their best abilities.
Harvey Norman u19 – Grand Final
Brisbane Tigers 30 def Western Clydesdales 6 at Totally Workwear Stadium.
The Tigers ignited the match with an early try from Sienna Ibrahim, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Their relentless assault continued as Fleur Ginn and Lishainah Ulugia added to the score, showcasing an unstoppable offensive rhythm. Despite the Clydesdales' efforts, which included a retaliation try from Mia Byrnes, the Tigers’ defence held firm.
Kameryn Bray contributed with her own try, while Ulugia’s successful conversions cemented their lead. With each play, it became evident that the Tigers were in complete control.
As the final whistle blew, the Tigers celebrated their confident 30-6 victory, triumphantly marking their place as champions.
The electrifying atmosphere in Totally Workwear Stadium reflected the sheer dominance the Brisbane Tigers displayed, earning them a memorable grand final win.
Cyril Connell Cup - Grand Final
Burleigh Bears 18 def Mackay Cutters 12 at Totally Workwear Stadium
In arguably the best match of the day, the Burleigh Bears triumphed over an admirable Mackay Cutters outfit, to secure the 2025 Cyril Connell Cup.
Running out as favourites, it appeared as if the Bears had one hand on the trophy already after the first 11 minutes, with Captain Tupou Francis and five-eighth Cornelius Kelsall both crossing the try line early.
But a late first half try from Cutters’ lock Eli Woodson would see the underdogs entering the shed with the match on a knifes edge.
The second half opened in a similar fashion to the first, with Tupou Francis scoring his second for the day and the Bears again dominating possession and field position.
Relentless meterage from Tyrell Schwenke, Kingston Seve and Flynn Laffranchi prevented the Cutters from ever mounting any pressure defensively, and the deft boot of Bears halfback Harvey Smith meant that the Cutters’ outside backs were kept busy trying to get out of their own end.
A miraculous late try from Norman Campbell saw the Cutters down a mere 6 points with two minutes to go, but ultimately it was too little too late for the men from Mackay, as a dropped bell after the final siren secured the premiership for the Burleigh Bears, with Tupou Francis taking home the player of the match honours.
Harvey Norman u17 - Grand Final
Brisbane Tigers 32 def Sunshine Coast Falcons 04 at Totally Workwear Stadium.
It was one way traffic in the first of the Statewide Competition Grand Finals, as the Brisbane Tigers outclassed a valiant Sunshine Coast Falcons squad.
It was Ebony Tziros who opened the scoring, being the beneficiary of a brilliant draw and pass play from back rower Leilani Taofinuu.
A late first half try would see the Falcons entering the sheds with a glimmer of hope, but an immediate reply from Ebony Tziros would see the centre secure her second try of the day, as well as knocking in the final nail in the coffin for the girls from the Sunshine Coast.
Hooker Enah Desic was marshalling her troops around the field with composure far beyond her years, as her stout defence and game recognition earnt her player of the match honours.
The scoreline does not truly represent the balance of the game, as possession and field position was somewhat even on the day, but the superior final execution of the Brisbane Tigers allowed them to rack up many more tries on the day.
Mal Meninga Cup - Round 9
Mackay Cutters 24 def Western Clydesdales 16 at Toowoomba Sports Ground. It was a hard-fought battle, with Jack Thorburn and Toby Woodall shining for the Cutters, both crossing the line for tries that fuelled their team's momentum. Lachlan Lyons showed resilience for the Clydesdales with a strong effort, but they couldn’t quite keep pace with the Cutters’ dynamic attack.
Redcliffe Dolphins 46 def Townsville Blackhawks 16 at Jack Manski Oval. The Dolphins put on a dominant display, with Elijah McKay leading the charge with two spectacular tries. Townsville fought valiantly with Kyle Bader and Karlos Iraia scoring, but it was clear the Dolphins were in a league of their own on this day.
Tweed Seagulls 52 def Sunshine Coast Falcons 10 at Sunshine Coast Stadium. The Seagulls took flight in this match proving why they belong on top, with Sam Stephenson netting three tries and Zane Harrison showcasing his kicking skills with six conversions. Ellyjah Birve managed a try and a goal for the Falcons, but it was a challenging day as the Seagulls proved to be unstoppable.
Burleigh Bears 62 def CQ Capras 0 at Rugby Park. The Bears put on an absolute clinic, with Bailey Trew, Saxon Innes and Antonio Verhoeven among the multiple try-scorers. Marley McLaren's boot contributed greatly, landing nine goals. The Capras struggled to find their footing and ended the match without any points, a tough day for them against such an aggressive opponent.
Souths Logan Magpies 32 def Brisbane Tigers 10 at Totally Workwear Stadium. The Magpies soared high with standout performances from Jayden Solien and Siosaia Poese, both contributing multiple tries to secure victory. Brisbane’s Motootua Kia scored with grit, but the Magpies’ team synergy proved too strong and consistent throughout the match.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls 30 def Northern Pride 22 at Barlow Park. In a thrilling back-and-forth encounter, Matthew Schultz paved the way for the Seagulls with a crucial try. The Pride fought hard with Maddox Goodwin leading their charge, but Wynnum Manly held on for a well-deserved win, showcasing their determination and teamwork.
Norths Devils 28 def Ipswich Jets 22 at North Ipswich Reserve. This match delivered intense excitement, with Duquan Talaepa's electrifying runs giving the Devils an edge. The Jets, led by Eli Ortiz, kept the pressure on but fell just short as Norths sealed their victory with solid execution in the closing minutes. The back-and-forth scoring kept fans on the edge of their seats right until the end!
