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Brisbane Broncos Clinch Thrilling NRL Premiership in Dramatic broncos-storm-game Final BBC Sport, Sydney The Brisbane Broncos have secured the National Rugby League (NRL) Premiership title, overcoming a significant half-time deficit to defeat the Melbourne Storm 26-22 in a gripping Grand Final at Accor Stadium in Sydney. The victory marks the club's first premiership in 19 years, achieved through a remarkable second-half comeback driven by a commanding individual performance from fullback Reece Walsh, who was subsequently awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for Player of the Match. In front of a crowd of over 80,000 spectators, the contest between the storied rivals provided high drama, marked by swift momentum shifts and crucial late-game decisions. The Storm, who had established a commanding 22-12 lead at the break, failed to convert their first-half dominance into a championship, succumbing to the Broncos' relentless attacking pressure and desperate defence in the final 40 minutes. A Record-Breaking First Half The final began at a frantic pace, with the Broncos drawing first blood after only two minutes through winger Deine Mariner following a decisive break by Walsh. However, the Melbourne Storm, renowned for their disciplined attack, quickly settled into a rhythm. Tries to Nick Meaney, Eliesa Katoa, and Will Warbrick, aided by high completion rates, saw the Storm take control, capitalising on minor errors from the Brisbane outfit. Despite a brief moment of brilliance from Walsh, who carved through four defenders for a solo try to temporarily stem the flow, Melbourne’s experienced halves pairing of Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster ensured the Storm finished the half strongly. A late try from Hughes just before the siren pushed the lead back out to 22-12, concluding what was reported to be the highest-scoring opening half in NRL Grand Final history. The Storm’s veteran coach, Craig Bellamy, appeared to have orchestrated the perfect game plan, leveraging possession and territory to exert control over the youthful Brisbane side.
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The loss of Storm centre Jack Howarth early in the match to a groin injury barely slowed their momentum, illustrating the depth of their squad. The Second-Half Resurgence The narrative flipped dramatically in the second half. Brisbane’s resilience, a hallmark of their 2025 finals campaign, came to the fore. The Storm's opportunity to extend their lead immediately after the restart was thwarted when forward Tui Kamikamica narrowly failed to ground a grubber kick. The Broncos immediately countered, with centre Gehamat Shibasaki crossing the line just five minutes into the half, narrowing the gap to 22-16. The period was defined by Brisbane’s ability to generate points despite significant adversity. Star halfback and captain Adam Reynolds was forced from the field with a calf injury, swiftly followed by Ben Hunt, who left the game with a Category 1 concussion in the final ten minutes. With both first-choice playmakers sidelined, the responsibility fell heavily on the shoulders of the remaining spine players. Reece Walsh stepped up decisively, orchestrating two further tries in quick succession. He delivered a superb long pass to Deine Mariner for his second try of the night, before setting up Shibasaki for his own second try just minutes later.
Shibasaki’s second effort, converted by Walsh from the sideline, provided the Broncos with a four-point lead, 26-22, which they would ultimately defend until the final siren. Defence Seals the Championship The final moments of the contest were intense, epitomised by a crucial sin-binning for Storm forward Trent Loiero for a dangerous tackle with only three minutes remaining. Despite being down to 12 men, the Storm launched one final, desperate assault. The game concluded with a breathtaking defensive play that encapsulated the Broncos’ determination. As Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen made a dangerous break down the sideline, only Reece Walsh stood between him and the try-line. Walsh executed a powerful, clutch cover tackle to halt the momentum just metres from the goal line, ensuring the clock ran down on the Storm’s challenge. Speaking after accepting the Clive Churchill Medal, Walsh reflected on the dramatic victory, stating simply: “Oh my God, what a bloody ride. It hasn’t sunk in yet, I’m just so bloody happy for our boys. ” Context and Future Outlook For the Brisbane Broncos, coached by Michael Maguire, the win breaks a near two-decade-long drought and validates the club’s strategic rebuild. The victory marks the third time in the final series that the team has successfully chased down a double-digit deficit, demonstrating a high level of mental fortitude.
Maguire becomes just the sixth coach in the NRL era to win a Premiership with two different clubs, having previously won a title with South Sydney. Conversely, the result is a bitter pill for the Melbourne Storm, who finished as runners-up for the second year in a row. Their high completion rate and dominant early performance ultimately counted for little against Brisbane’s sudden surge. Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster acknowledged the opponents’ hunger: “It’s very disappointing, the Broncs were too good,” he told reporters. “We created opportunities, but they were hungry and they fought tooth-and-nail until the end. ” The 2025 NRL Grand Final will be remembered not only for its scoreline but for the immense pressure under which the young Broncos side performed. As the celebrations begin in Queensland, the Melbourne Storm face an off-season of reflection, aiming to convert their perennial consistency into a competition victory, maintaining their status as one of the league's enduring powers despite the narrow Grand Final loss.
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