The competition's two unbeaten sides continued their impressive starts to the season in Round 3, with Burleigh grabbing the top spot and Ipswich further strengthening their credentials as an early premiership contender.
Across the weekend, six matches produced 33 tries, a number of standout individual performances and several significant shifts on the ladder as the race for finals positions begins to take shape.
Burleigh Bears def Western Clydesdales 38-6 @ Toowoomba Sports Ground
For 35 minutes, the Western Clydesdales had the competition leaders under pressure.
Trailing just 10-6 at half-time, the home side had matched Burleigh's physicality and looked capable of producing the upset of the season.
The Bears had other ideas.
Burleigh exploded in the second half, running in five tries to transform a tight contest into a convincing 32-point victory. Teaghan Hartigan, Felice Quinlan, Abigayle Sekitoga, Ruby Fifita and Memory Paitai all crossed after the break as the visitors showcased the attacking depth that has become a hallmark of their unbeaten start.
Three rounds into the season, Burleigh remain undefeated and have conceded just 20 points, the tied best defensive record in the competition.
Souths Logan Magpies def Central Queensland Capras 32-20 @ Aurizon Stadium
The Magpies continue to prove they can score points from anywhere.
Souths Logan struck inside the opening minute through Joeannah Naime before establishing control of an entertaining contest in Rockhampton.
Every time the Capras looked ready to mount a comeback, the visitors found a response.
Six different Magpies crossed for tries as Souths Logan recorded their second win of the season and bounced back well from a tough loss last week.
Brisbane Tigers def Mackay Cutters 32-18 @ BB Print Stadium
The reigning premiers wasted no time taking control in Mackay.
Brisbane raced out of the blocks with five tries inside the opening 24 minutes, stunning the home side and establishing a lead that would ultimately decide the contest.
Layla Satui and Jenny David set the tone early before Courtney Robinson, Saupo-Mina Toeleiu and India Seeto helped push the Tigers to a commanding 26-4 half-time advantage.
The Cutters fought hard to close the gap in the second half, but Brisbane's early blitz proved too much to overcome as the Tigers secured their second victory from three starts.
Ipswich Jets def Tweed Seagulls 34-6 @ Richardson Park - Woogaroo Field
The numbers are becoming impossible to ignore.
Two games played. Two wins. A competition-leading points differential of +48.
Ipswich continued their remarkable start to 2026 with another commanding display, overpowering the Tweed Seagulls to remain unbeaten.
Tatiana Finau and Navelzen Taupo each crossed for doubles as the Jets piled on six tries, while Channelle Kohika-Skipper added five conversions in a polished all-round performance.
Despite having played one fewer match than most teams around them, the Jets have already scored 68 points while conceding just 20. Through the opening rounds, no side has looked more explosive.
Sunshine Coast Falcons def Northern Pride 32-20 @ Sunshine Coast Stadium
After two difficult weeks to begin the season, the Falcons finally had their breakthrough moment.
Sunshine Coast delivered their most complete performance of the year, overcoming the Pride to record their first victory of the campaign.
The Falcons built pressure through the later stages of the contest before turning that dominance into points, with Demi Salton and Mena Layfield both crossing twice.
Having started the round outside the top eight, Sunshine Coast now has valuable momentum and a platform to build on heading into the round 4 against the Clydesdales.
Norths Devils def Wynnum Manly Seagulls 28-18 @ Premiers' Park
This was a game that demanded patience.
Locked at 12-all at half-time, neither side was willing to give an inch in a fiercely contested Brisbane derby.
The breakthrough eventually came through the Devils, who found another gear in the second half to pull away and secure an important victory.
Jazmin Lord finished with a double, while Nathalia Moors, Tayla Sykes and Ema Masi also crossed as Norths recorded their second win and climbed into the top-five conversation.
For a side that sat at 1-1 entering the weekend, it was the type of gritty performance that could prove valuable later in the season.
Round 3 Talking Points
Burleigh setting the standard
You’ll find no grand final hangover here. The Bears remain the benchmark after three rounds. Unbeaten and owning the competition's best defensive record, they continue to find ways to wear opponents down across the full 70 minutes.
Jets announce themselves as contenders
Ipswich may have only played two matches, but their +48 points differential is the best in the competition. The Jets are averaging 34 points per game and have quickly emerged as a genuine threat.
Attack winning games
The Magpies (84), Tigers (80) and Capras (88) have all demonstrated attacking firepower capable of troubling any defence in the competition.
Mid-table battle heating up
Just two competition points separate second and tenth on the ladder, highlighting how quickly fortunes can change as the season progresses.
Ladder Leaders After Round 3
1. Burleigh Bears (3-0)
2. Ipswich Jets (2-0)
3. Brisbane Tigers (2-1)
4. Souths Logan Magpies (2-1)
With Burleigh and Ipswich maintaining unbeaten records and several clubs beginning to find their rhythm, Round 3 provided another reminder that the 2026 BMD Premiership is shaping as one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
