Brisbane Tigers break 32-year hoodoo in Hostplus Cup grand final marred by sickening injury

The drought is over. The Brisbane Tigers snapped a 32-year premiership hoodoo in a wild Hostplus Cup grand final marred by a sickening leg injury. WATCH HERE

Brisbane Tigers forward Tristan Powell scores a try. Picture: QRL

The drought is over and it’s pouring at Langlands Park.

The Brisbane Tigers snapped a 32-year premiership hoodoo with a thrilling 22-18 win against Burleigh in the Hostplus Cup grand final on Sunday night.

After nine straight grand final losses, the Tigers, famously known as Easts, clinched their first Queensland Cup title in gritty fashion at Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium.

It was the Tigers’ first premiership since John Lang piloted them to glory in 1991 and their maiden Cup title in six grand final appearances.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Tigers captain Ryley Jacks said. “It means a whole heap to me and my family. This club deserves it. I can’t be more proud of the boys.

“We wanted to out-enthuse them and win it on energy. We took a lot from Origin III last year and how Queensland didn’t stop moving.

“I can’t believe we did it. We planned for it during the week, but for the boys to do it against a favourite, I’m so proud.”

Brisbane Tigers are the Hostplus Cup champions. Picture: QRL

PARTY IN TIGER TOWN

The Tigers flew under the radar all year but there was no hiding on grand final day.

Starting props Tristan Powell, who scored the opening try, and Jordan Grant bashed their Burleigh opposites while hooker Tristan Hope got under the Bears’ skin with his tenacious defence.

When Max Lehmann intercepted a looping Guy Hamilton pass and raced 90m to open up a 20-8 lead, the Tigers were within striking distance of the title.

The Bears mounted a late fightback orchestrated by brilliant teenage fullback Keano Kini but the Tigers’ resolve held strong in the dying seconds to bring the trophy back to Coorparoo.

Brisbane Tigers forward Tristan Powell scores a try. Picture: QRL

BEARS BUCKLE

Minor premiers the past two years, the Bears have come away empty handed on both occasions at the business end of the season.

They were unbackable favourites after smashing Wynnum-Manly 57-8 in last week’s preliminary final, but the pressure was there to see.

Burleigh started shakily while the Tigers came roaring out of the blocks to open up a 20-8 lead midway through the second half.

The Bears fought back and scored four tries, including a hat-trick to winger Tony Francis, to Brisbane’s three, with Tyrone Roberts’ poor goalkicking ultimately costing Burleigh.

It was another missed opportunity for a powerhouse club.

SICKENING INJURY

Vaka Sikahele suffered what appeared to be a sickening knee dislocation with 15 minutes on the clock.

Players showed immediate concern and Sikahele was taken from the field on a medi cab.

Horrible looking knee injury for Vaka Sikahele in the #HostPlusCup GF. Limited video with no replays but hopefully avoids worst case - can definitely see patella (kneecap) out of place, “hope” is that’s all it is. Considering mechanism MCL/ACL could be involved but tough to see pic.twitter.com/QxbNYDNtbi

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 17, 2023

SPECIAL K SHINES

Bears fullback and Titans young gun Keano Kini showed why he has been dubbed the new ‘Special K’.

With the Bears trailing 6-0 in the 27th minute, Kini sliced through Brisbane’s defence before producing a superb flick pass for Francis to score. It had shades of Benji Marshall’s famous play in the 2005 NRL grand final.

At halftime Kini had already racked up 150m and six tackle busts on top of his superb move for Francis, who he set up for his third try with another slick play.

Kini was a deserved winner of the Duncan Hall Medal

COREY’S CLANGER

Tigers fullback Corey Thompson had a moment to forget in his final Cup game before heading into retirement.

The former Titans, Tigers and Bulldogs speedster was at his jinking best bringing the ball back, but had one moment that could have cost his team dearly.

With the Tigers holding a 6-4 lead, Thompson desperately tried to stop a pinpoint 40-20 kick from Burleigh halfback Guy Hamilton.

But Thompson threw the ball straight to a waiting Francis, who sealed his double with the easiest try of his career.

Luckily for Thompson it didn’t matter as the Tigers hung on and he will get a farewell game on the big stage against the NSW Cup premiers in a fortnight.