The Brisbane Broncos claimed their first NRL premiership in 19 years with a dramatic 26-22 victory over the Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium on Sunday. Fullback Reece Walsh delivered a stunning performance, earning the Clive Churchill Medal as player of the match, with a try, three try assists, and three try-saving tackles, including a crucial stop in the final minute.
The Broncos overcame a 22-12 deficit midway through the first half, marking their third comeback of 10 points or more in this finals series. Despite losing halfback Adam Reynolds to injury early in the second half and Ben Hunt to concussion with ten minutes remaining, Brisbane's defence held firm. Lock Pat Carrigan praised the squad's resilience, crediting coach Michael Maguire's half-time message to trust their defence.
Walsh's individual brilliance was the highlight, as he weaved through five defenders to score under the posts in the first half. He then set up two second-half tries to put the Broncos ahead. In the 80th minute, with Storm backrower Eli Katoa breaking through and Ryan Papenhuyzen looming, Walsh made a decisive tackle on Papenhuyzen to seal the victory.
Walsh celebrated with the 80,223-strong crowd, saying, 'A lot of people wrote us off this year, but you're the only ones who believed in us. We love yous.' Hunt, who redeemed himself after a costly knock-on in the 2015 grand final, described Walsh simply as an 'absolute freak.'
