Northern Tigers secure maiden Lisa Fiaola Cup

The third time proved to be a charm for the Northern Tigers, taking out the 2026 Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup in a thrilling Grand Final. 

After going down in each Grand Final since the competition’s inception in 2024, the Tigers outlasted the Riverina Bulls 26-18. 

The Tigers started strong, carrying a 12-0 lead early on. But the Bulls' dominant end to the half saw them score 18 unanswered points to enter the sheds with an 18-12 lead. 

A tough second half saw the Tigers get themselves back on track as Player of the Match, Tigers five-eighth Ebony Pepperell, put the cherry on top with a try under the posts to seal the premiership.

“We got done by 40-points in a trial against Western Rams before we started the comp. If I am honest, I probably didn’t think we were going to get here,” Northern Tigers coach Luke Taylor said. 

“It is a massive credit to these girls, they have been killing it.

“We have got a couple of good leaders in our front row and when they got back onto the field, we went there. But I thought our best player and the gutsiest effort today was Ebony Pepperell.”

The Tigers found first points through a strong run from prop Tia-nara Slater-Saunders. A handling error from the Bulls saw the Tigers make them pay as Slater-Saunders charged her way through defenders to open the scoring. Pepperell added the extras as the Tigers held a 6-0 lead. 

Another Bulls error just minutes later saw another opportunity come to light for the Tigers. A beautiful last play kick from Pepperell saw the Bulls struggle to hold onto the high ball, as centre Mary Arandale swooped in on the loose ball, strolling over the line. Pepperell furthered the Tigers' lead 12-0. 

A penalty 10 metres out gave the Bulls with their best opportunity to get points on the board. Fishing around the try-line, it was fullback Ruby Douglas who made the break with a left foot step that managed to fool the Tigers line as she gapped her way over. Converting her own try, the Bulls trailed 12-6. 

Just two minutes later the fullback made another impressive stride. 65 metres out, a massive break from Douglas with some footwork and fending got her side level before half-time. Another successful conversion saw things tied up 12-all.

With 50 seconds left on the clock, a Tigers error 10 metres from the Bulls line put them in close range. Passing left, Peyton Livet delivered as the Bulls took the lead for the first time. With the conversion successful the Bulls entered the sheds in front, 18-12. 

“They went into those sheds at half-time with their heads downs down. Being up 12-0 to then down 18-12. Those 10 minutes leading into half-time just really wasn’t great,” Taylor said. 

“She (Pepperell) busted her arm before half-time, and she toughed it out and went back out there for the second half.”

The Tigers ended the Bulls’ try-scoring streak as they found the first points of the second half to get themselves back into the game. A cut-out pass from Pepperell to Arandale saw her throw off the defence with a little dummy before turning back inside to cross the line. Unable to convert, the Tigers trailed 16-18. 

It was Tigers domination to end the second half, scoring two impressive tries to secure the win. Brochtrup managed regain the Tigers' lead with brave run from dummy-half. 

It was the competition's leading point-scorer, Pepperell, who finished things off with a try of her own. At first receiver from a scrum 10 metres out, Pepperell mastered her way under the posts. 

“My arm was sore during the second half, but I worked through it because I wanted to be out there, so I kept pushing,” Pepperell said.

“It feels so good."