Brisbane Broncos secured their first NRL premiership in 19 years with a dramatic 26-22 comeback victory over Melbourne Storm in the grand final at Accor Stadium on Sunday. The Broncos overcame a 22-12 deficit, marking the third time in this finals series they rallied from ten points or more down.
Reece Walsh, named Clive Churchill medallist as player of the match, delivered a memorable performance with a try, three try assists, and three try-saving tackles, including a crucial stop in the final minute. The fullback’s display helped Brisbane absorb the loss of halfback Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt to injury in the second half.
Walsh sparked the comeback with a powerful solo try, swerving past five defenders to score under the posts. He later set up two tries to level the scores and then put the Broncos ahead. In the dying seconds, he gambled by targeting Ryan Papenhuyzen, stopping the Storm fullback with a shoulder charge to seal victory.
“Oh my god, what a bloody ride,” Walsh said after the final whistle. “A lot of people [wrote] us off this year, but you’re the only ones who believed in us. We love yous.” Lock Pat Carrigan praised the squad’s resilience, saying coach Michael Maguire told them to “back our D” at half-time.
The match, played before 80,223 fans, saw Melbourne lead 22-12 midway through the first half, with Jahrome Hughes orchestrating their attack. But Brisbane’s defence held firm, and Hunt, who earlier knocked on in the 2015 grand final, described Walsh as an “absolute freak”.
