The Brisbane Tigers have cemented their position at the top of the BMD Premiership ladder with a dominant 36-10 win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons at Totally Workwear Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
This round held special significance as it marked Indigenous Round, a celebration of culture, connection, and community. The Tigers proudly wore limited-edition Indigenous jerseys, each featuring the totems of their Indigenous players. The striking design was created by Emma Casey, a proud Gubbi Gubbi and Warramungu woman from the Sunshine Coast. Her artwork beautifully represented the stories, spirit, and heritage of the women who wore it.
In front of their home crowd, the Tigers produced a clinical and composed performance to make it five wins from five starts, showcasing their attacking firepower and defensive grit across the park.
After an early try to Falcons winger Makayla Henry in the 7th minute, Brisbane responded swiftly and with authority. Back-to-back tries to powerhouse forward Aleksandra Tunufai in the 14th and 18th minutes—both set up by damaging linebreaks—swung the momentum in the Tigers’ favour. Narikah Orchard continued the roll-on soon after, busting through the line and dotting down to push the lead to double digits.
With the Tigers’ spine orchestrating play superbly, the home side struck again through Saupo-Mina Toeleiu. Tahlia Marshall added her name to the scoresheet late in the half following a sharp break from Melita Hicks, giving the Tigers a commanding 28-4 halftime lead.
The second half saw more of the same, with Melanie Wilks crossing early off her own linebreak and Mhia Mackey-Taylor slicing through for a late four-pointer that sealed the result. Although the Falcons showed fight with a try to Emmogen Taumafai in the 56th minute, it wasn’t enough to disrupt Brisbane’s rhythm.
Courtney Robinson guided the Tigers around the park with confidence and slotted three conversions, while her playmaking and support through the middle created repeated headaches for the Falcons’ defensive line.
Errors and ill-discipline plagued the Sunshine Coast, who struggled to maintain field position under pressure. Repeated infringements and handling errors gave the Tigers plenty of possession, which they turned into points with ruthless efficiency.
With the win, the Tigers remain the only undefeated team in the BMD Premiership after five rounds.
Final Score:
Brisbane Tigers 36 (Tunufai 2, Toeleiu 2, Orchard, Marshall, Wilks, Mackey-Taylor tries; Robinson 3 goals)
def.
Sunshine Coast Falcons 10 (Henry, Taumafai tries; Crummer 1 goal)
Next Round: The Tigers head into Round 6 taking on the Burleigh Bears at UAA Park in the Gold Coast.
