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Brisbane Broncos End 19-Year Wait as Reece Walsh Inspires Grand Final Comeback By BBC Sport Sydney, Australia — The Brisbane Broncos secured their first National Rugby League (NRL) premiership in nearly two decades on Sunday, defeating the Melbourne Storm 26-22 in a thrilling Grand Final at Accor Stadium. The victory was defined by a stunning second-half comeback, largely inspired by the electric performance of star fullback Reece Walsh, who was subsequently awarded the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal as the player of the match. The dramatic win not only ended a 19-year title drought for one of the NRL’s most storied clubs but also solidified the 23-year-old Walsh’s reputation as the competition’s premier game-breaker. The match began with Brisbane setting an explosive early pace, but the Melbourne Storm soon responded with clinical efficiency, building a commanding 22-12 lead by half-time. For many Broncos supporters, memories of their Grand Final loss two years prior, when they surrendered a similar advantage, loomed large. However, the second half saw a complete reversal of momentum, driven by a combination of resolute defence and moments of individual brilliance, nearly all of which involved Walsh. Walsh’s contribution went far beyond his highlight-reel attacking plays. The fullback scored a critical 30-metre solo try in the first half to keep Brisbane in the contest, before turning provider with three decisive try assists in the second forty minutes, shifting the balance of power on the scoreboard. Crucially, his defensive efforts were arguably more impactful, including two crucial try-saving tackles in the dying moments of the match, one on his opposite number, Ryan Papenhuyzen, as the Storm pushed desperately for a late winner.
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Speaking after the game, club legend and commentator Darren Lockyer praised Walsh’s impact on the contest. "I've never seen an individual dominate a Grand Final like that," Lockyer remarked. "We talk about his speed and flashiness, but tonight it was his toughness, especially, that shone through. He is such a team-focused person; he does all this stuff to help the team win. " Context and The Journey Back to Brisbane The 2025 premiership serves as a culmination of a tumultuous but ultimately successful journey for Walsh, whose career has been marked by both prodigious talent and periods of inconsistency. Originally beginning his career in Brisbane's youth system, Walsh left for the New Zealand Warriors in 2021 before securing an early release to return to the Broncos for the 2023 season, citing a desire to be closer to family. Upon his return, Walsh reportedly made a promise to veteran halfback and captain Adam Reynolds that he would help the club achieve premiership success. This mental shift was underpinned by a concerted effort to find consistency, particularly after dealing with a mid-season PCL injury in 2025. Walsh admitted that the time away allowed him to rebalance his focus, citing a key piece of advice from the coaching staff.
"When I got injured, I got away from the game, away from the boys, and that was from [Coach Michael Maguire] telling me, 'when I am at home, be at home and enjoy those moments'," Walsh explained. "When I came back, I sort of had the mentality of when I am in the building, work hard, when I am out, enjoy my time. that was probably it. " The victory is also a major endorsement for Coach Michael Maguire, who joined the club amidst calls for cultural change. Maguire implemented a relentless, hard-nosed approach to training, which Walsh and other players credited for building the resilience demonstrated in the final minutes of the season. "No-one gave us a chance," Maguire stated regarding the team's finals run. "The only ones who believed were in the room and us players. Our backs were against the wall, and we could have shied away, but we went towards those moments. It has been 19 years, and we have just etched our names in history.
" Future Outlook and Financial Implications Walsh’s dominant finals series has cemented his position as one of the sport's highest-value players. While media reports suggest the Broncos are keen to lock him into a long-term extension worth in excess of $1 million-a-season—a deal potentially valuing up to $6 million over five years—his immediate focus has now shifted to the international arena. Following the Grand Final, Walsh was one of seven uncapped players selected for the Australian Kangaroos squad to compete in the upcoming Ashes rugby league series in England. His inclusion is widely viewed as confirmation of his status as the nation's first-choice fullback, capping a remarkable season of personal and collective achievement. However, the team’s success presents the club with significant roster management challenges. Locking Walsh into a major contract while simultaneously retaining other key players, such as star forward Payne Haas and five-eighth Ezra Mam, will require careful negotiation under the NRL’s salary cap structure. Analysts suggest that the high salaries commanded by Walsh and others may necessitate some teammates taking a pay cut to maintain the premiership-winning roster's core talent. For now, however, the focus remains purely on celebrating a hard-earned title that places Reece Walsh firmly at the centre of the club's bright, yet financially complex, future. The challenge for the Broncos now is translating this momentum into a sustained period of dominance.
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