Reece Walsh scores a try for the Brisbane Broncos during the NRL grand final against the Melbourne Storm. Photo: Photosport
Reece Walsh put in another brilliant performance as the Brisbane Broncos battled back from an early 10-point deficit to beat the Melbourne Storm 26-22 and land their first National Rugby League title since 2006.
Walsh inspired a comeback for the ages when the Broncos ended the four-year reign of the Penrith Panthers last weekend and the fleet-footed fullback was again at the heart of everything in the grand final.
"Oh my God, what a bloody ride," said Walsh, who won the Clive Churchill Medal as Player of the Match.
"It hasn't sunk in yet, I'm just so bloody happy for our boys."
It was a seventh title for the popular Queensland club, guided by former Kiwis coach Michael Maguire. Their fans formed the vast majority of the crowd of 80,223 which packed into Stadium Australia for a rare final featuring no Sydney teams.
They were on their feet when Broncos winger Deine Mariner went over for the opening try in the second minute but the Storm hit back with scores from Nick Meaney, Eliesa Katoa and Will Warbrick to take a 16-6 lead in the 21st minute.
Walsh weaved his way through half a dozen tacklers for a brilliant individual try on the half-hour mark but Melbourne's halfback Jahrome Hughes responded in similar fashion six minutes before the break.
Storm forward Tui Kamikamica spilled the ball over the line just after halftime and Brisbane centre Gehamat Shibasaki was soon busting through a couple of defenders for a try that cut the deficit to 22-16.
Reece Walsh (left) and Broncos head coach Michael Maguire celebrate after winning the NRL grand final against the Melbourne Storm Photo: Photosport
Brisbane lost captain and place-kicker Adam Reynolds to injury but Walsh was increasingly influential and threw a bullet of a pass to send Mariner over for his second try in the 54th minute.
Walsh was unable to convert from wideout to level the scores but quickly found another magnificent pass which gave Shibasaki space for his second score and the Broncos held a four-point lead going into the final quarter.
A concussion for five-eighth Ben Hunt stalled Brisbane's momentum and Walsh's opposite number Ryan Papenhuyzen produced a couple of linebreaks to give the Storm hope of a winning score.
A sinbin for Storm lock Trent Loiero three minutes from time swung the momentum back in Brisbane's favour and, with Walsh making one last clutch cover tackle on Papenhuyzen, they held on to claim the title.
"It's very disappointing, the Broncs were too good," said Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster.
"We created opportunities but they were hungry and they fought tooth-and-nail until the end."
Broncos win NRLW final over Roosters
It was a great day for the Broncos, with their women's side also claiming the NRLW grand final, scoring a disputed try in the dying minutes to overtake the Roosters, 22-18.
Mele Hufanga - a Kiwi Ferns rep in 2023 - was awarded the try as she crashed over in the tackles of two Roosters players. The Roosters argued she had not got the ball down, but referee Belinda Sharpe called it a try and the Bunker could not find evidence to overturn that.
Mele Hufanga of the Brisbane Broncos celebrates scoring a try with team mates during the NRLW grand final against the Sydney Roosters. October 5, 2025. Photo: Photosport
There were angry scenes after full-time with players from both sides clashing.
Hufanga was awarded the Karyn Murphy Medal for best player of the final.
- Reuters/RNZ Sport
