In a rematch of the 2025 grand final, it was the Cougars who emerged victorious this time with a 65-49 win over the Bull Sharks at Nissan Arena on Sunday.
Leading by just three at halftime, the Cougars took control of the contest with a 18-goal third term to open up an 11-point lead heading into the last change.
From there Liz White's team was too strong for their opponents as they gained some revenge for last year's grand final defeat.
In Sunday's other Nissan Arena Show Court clash, there was a return to action for popular former Queensland Firebird Hulita Veve following last year's ACL injury with the Tongan international helping the ICare Group Australia Ipswich Jets to a 59-52 win over the Carina Leagues Club Tigers.
Veve spent time in the unfamiliar position of Goal Defence during the match as another Firebirds Alumni in Abigail Latu-Meafou and Rylee Burns led the scoring for the Jets.
Elsewhere the Gold Coast Titans began the year with a bang as they claimed a dominant 73-43 win over Moreton Bay City Pulse.
The opening round's final game was a nailbiter with Sunshine Coast Thunder holding off a fast-finishing Brisbane South Wildcats to secure a 63-62 win.
