Introduction
Brisbane Broncos Break 19-Year Drought After Thrilling 26-22 Broncos-Storm Score in NRL Grand Final Sydney — The Brisbane Broncos have secured their first National Rugby League (NRL) premiership in 19 years, overcoming a 10-point half-time deficit to defeat the Melbourne Storm 26-22 in a dramatic Grand Final at Accor Stadium in Sydney. The victory, secured on the back of a sensational individual performance from fullback Reece Walsh, marks a watershed moment for the Queensland club, sealing their seventh overall title and providing redemption after years of near misses. The final result hinged on a remarkable defensive effort in the closing minutes, confirming the Broncos’ ability to execute under the most extreme pressure, despite losing both key halves to injury during the second half. The contest began at a record-breaking pace, with the first 40 minutes yielding 34 points, the most ever in an NRL Grand Final first half. Brisbane struck early when winger Deine Mariner crossed just two minutes in. However, the Melbourne Storm, known for their tactical discipline under veteran coach Craig Bellamy, quickly capitalised on errors and positional gaps. The Storm responded with four unanswered tries—to Nick Meaney, Eliesa Katoa, Will Warbrick, and halfback Jahrome Hughes—to establish a commanding 22-12 lead just before the break. The Storm’s completion rate in the opening stanza was near-perfect, allowing them to dictate the field position and capitalise on the early nervous energy of their opposition. The momentum of the match, however, shifted decisively in the second half, with the Broncos’ young forward pack finding renewed energy and their backline applying continuous pressure.
Main Content
Centre Gehamat Shibasaki scored a crucial try in the 45th minute, reducing the margin to six points. The pivotal moment came when Brisbane lost captain and halfback Adam Reynolds to a suspected hamstring injury, forcing a significant reshuffle. Rather than faltering, the Broncos’ attack sharpened, led by the dynamic Reece Walsh. He engineered two tries in quick succession—a spectacular cut-out pass that put Mariner over for his double, followed by a similar play for Shibasaki’s second—to snatch the lead at 26-22. The Storm struggled significantly for fluency in the second period, managing to hold the ball for 95 per cent of their sets in the first half but visibly tiring as Brisbane's intensity grew. Their lack of penetration was compounded by the loss of utility back Jack Howarth early in the contest, forcing Tyran Wishart into the unfamiliar centre role. The closing stages of the game were mired in dramatic tension, including a late sin-binning for Melbourne forward Trent Loiero for a high tackle. Despite being a man down, Melbourne launched a desperate final assault, with a breakout run from Eliesa Katoa putting Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen into space near the goal line, only for Walsh to execute a superb, match-winning covering tackle to seal the victory. The performance of Reece Walsh, who also scored a brilliant individual try in the first half, was unanimously praised, culminating in him being awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for player of the match.
The 23-year-old’s game-sealing tackle on Papenhuyzen, coming immediately after Brisbane had lost Ben Hunt to a head injury assessment, provided a decisive exclamation point on his season. Post-match discussions focused heavily on the Broncos' resilience, especially given the crucial second-half injuries. Broncos lock Patrick Carrigan credited the team’s recent finals experience for their ability to manage the deficit. "We've had a couple of rehearsals the last two weeks, coming from behind," Carrigan stated. "We knew that if we could get our footy on, we'd be good enough. " The victory holds profound significance for the Broncos, ending what many considered a premiership drought that spanned nearly two decades and finally providing closure after the anguish of their Grand Final defeat two years prior. However, the result was not without controversy. Storm captain Harry Grant voiced frustration over the officiating, particularly concerning an earlier shoulder-charge decision against Walsh that did not result in a sin-bin despite the high nature of the contact. "It's tough when decisions like that don't go your way in the biggest game of the year," Grant was reported to have said, highlighting the fine margins that define such high-stakes matches.
For the Melbourne Storm, the defeat marks a disappointing end to a season in which they challenged consistently at the top of the ladder, representing their second successive Grand Final failure. Questions will undoubtedly be raised in the off-season regarding their strategic depth and ability to sustain pressure for the full 80 minutes in critical matches. The 2025 NRL season finale will be remembered not only for the high broncos-storm-score but also for the emphatic manner in which Brisbane claimed the title, cementing a generational shift in the club's history. The result also completed a double for the Broncos club, following the earlier triumph of their NRL Women’s side, signaling a formidable resurgence for the club moving into the next season. The focus now turns to the respective off-season preparations as both clubs look to build on this intense rivalry in the coming year. You can find a summary of the action and key moments from the match here: Brisbane Broncos defeat Melbourne Storm in thrilling NRL Grand Final.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide about broncos storm score provides valuable insights and information. Stay tuned for more updates and related content.
