Jillaroos stars Sam Bremner and Kezie Apps got on the board in consecutive touches as the Burgh shot to a 16-0 lead, only for Corrimal to storm back into the match and remarkably lead by four with 10 minutes left. With the game on the line a 70-metre solo effort from fullback Jess Sergis proved the dagger, re-taking a lead her side went on with to win 40-24.

The Cougars had largely put the clamp on reigning Dally M Player of the Year to that point, but the moment was the telling swing in a match full of ebbs and flows.

"Corrimal always play with a real point to prove and both teams always turn up so this game definitely never disappoints," Sergis said.

"We were up 16-0 and then within 15 minutes they came back and were ahead of us on the scoreboard.

"I probably didn't get involved as much I should have because it just kept turning so quickly and we never got to do what we wanted to do.

"I think we went away from our structure and fell asleep a little bit but they're a great side and they definitely showed it for most of that game.

"We were lucky enough to get a scrum and it worked out to be that play we've always practiced. It's one of my favourite plays so it was good to get it done in that situation and get the points when we needed to."

It looked like it'd be a case of Helensburgh by how much after Nikki Perugini crossed, followed by Bremner and Apps for a 16-0 lead.

The Cougars found the hit back through their own Jillaroos star Shak Tungai, sparking a 24-6 run that included tries to Chantel Tugaga, Salma Nour, Vaki Mataele.

It looked like the defending premiers might claim an incredible fourth straight title from there, but the Tigers steadied through a double to player of the match Candice Woodward.

With the game in the balance, Sergis' long-range effort proved the killer blow, with Apps grabbing her second and skipper Rachael Pearson sealing the deal with an intercept try she finished under the black dot.

It ends a three-tear title streak for the Cougars but captain-coach Alicia-Kate Hawke - who remarkably took the field with busted knee ligaments - said she could not have asked any more of her side.

"It was a bit concerning when we gave them such a lead at the start but we did know we could fight and come back," Hawke said.

"It didn't cost us the game because we fought back and were in the lead, we just couldn't quite hold them out to the end.

"The fact [the streak] came to an end was going to happen at some point but I did really want to win this one, just because we got written off and wanted to surprise everyone. We came in as underdogs with nothing to lose.

"It stings we got so close, but I'm really proud we did. Kudos to the Lilies, they're a great side and they definitely earned it, but I'm super proud of our girls."