The Brisbane Tigers are through to the 2025 BMD Premiership Grand Final, grinding out a gritty 20–10 victory over the Northern Pride in Saturday’s Qualifying Final.
A blistering first half set the tone for the Tigers, who piled on four tries in a 30-minute burst to take a commanding 20–4 lead into the sheds. While the second half turned into a defensive arm-wrestle, the Tigers’ resilience and composure under pressure proved the difference, securing their ticket to the decider at Kayo Stadium.
Fast Start Fuels Tigers’ Surge
The Tigers wasted no time stamping their authority, with India Seeto slicing through in just the 2nd minute after a sharp linebreak. Halfback Enah Desic added the extras to give the Tigers an early 6–0 edge.
The Pride briefly hit back through Jairel-Ellen Martin-Savage in the 8th minute, but from there it was all Brisbane. Centre Courtney Robinson burst clear to score in the 23rd minute before Aleksandra Tunufai powered over just five minutes later.
The Tigers weren’t done yet, as Kelsey Parkin capped a dazzling effort in the 32nd minute, busting the line to extend the margin. Desic’s conversion stretched the lead to 20–4, and the Tigers took all the momentum into half-time.
Resilient Defence Seals the Deal
The second half saw opportunities slip through both sides’ fingers, with errors and heavy defence dominating. The Pride struck in the 61st minute when Lily Dick crossed and Jenni-Sue Hoepper converted to close the gap to 20–10, but the Tigers held firm.
Anchored by determined efforts from all 18 players, the Tigers absorbed wave after wave of Pride pressure. Brisbane’s defensive grit ensured the Pride never came closer.
Eyes on the Grand Final
The 20–10 victory means the Tigers now advance directly to the BMD Premiership Grand Final on Saturday, 27 September at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe, where they will face the Burleigh Bears.
For the Tigers, it was a performance built on fast starts and a relentless defensive mindset – the kind of blueprint needed to claim premiership glory and claim Tigers history by being completely undefeated for the entire season.
Tigers Try Scorers: India Seeto (2’), Courtney Robinson (23’), Aleksandra Tunufai (28’), Kelsey Parkin (32’)
Conversions: Enah Desic 2/4
Halftime: Tigers 20–4
Fulltime: Tigers 20–10
