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Brisbane Broncos End 19-Year Wait in Dramatic NRL-GF Victory By BBC Sports News Staff
Sydney The Brisbane Broncos have secured their seventh National Rugby League (NRL) premiership, ending a nearly two-decade drought with a remarkable 26-22 come-from-behind victory over the Melbourne Storm in the 2025 NRL-GF at Accor Stadium in Sydney. In a spectacular season finale played before a sold-out crowd of 80,223, the Broncos overturned a significant 22-12 half-time deficit, ultimately prevailing in a tense conclusion to claim the Provan-Summons Trophy for the first time since 2006. The result also capped a historic day for the club, which saw the Brisbane women's team win the NRLW Grand Final earlier in the afternoon. The men’s decider was defined by an extraordinary shift in momentum, particularly in the face of significant personnel challenges for the Brisbane side. Melbourne Storm, coached by the veteran Craig Bellamy, entered the break with a commanding 10-point lead, having capitalised on disciplined possession and clinical execution in the opening 40 minutes. Tries to Nick Meaney, Eliesa Katoa, Will Warbrick, and halfback Jahrome Hughes put the southerners in control, seemingly stifling the fast-starting Broncos who had managed scores through winger Deine Mariner and fullback Reece Walsh. However, the second half saw a dramatic resurgence from the Queensland club, who displayed defensive resolve and attacking fluidity, despite losing both starting halves—skipper Adam Reynolds and pivot Ben Hunt—to injury in quick succession. The leadership vacuum was swiftly filled by the remaining spine players, particularly Walsh and utility Ezra Mam, who helped engineer three unanswered tries in the space of 12 minutes to seize the lead.
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The performance of 23-year-old Broncos fullback Reece Walsh was widely acknowledged as the pivotal factor in the reversal. Walsh, who was later awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for player of the match, was instrumental in both attack and defence. He scored a crucial first-half try, provided three try-assists that propelled the Broncos back into the contest, and delivered a game-preserving play in the final minute, making a decisive try-saving tackle on Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen as the Storm pressed for an equaliser. "The Grand Final delivered a narrative of genuine resilience," commented Dr. Eleanor Vance, a Sports Sociology Researcher at the University of Sydney, speaking on the team's ability to maintain composure under severe pressure. "The loss of both senior halves in the second half forced the team to rely on raw talent, and Reece Walsh’s ascendancy under that pressure marks a significant moment for the game’s next generation of superstars. " For Melbourne, the defeat marks a disappointing end to a season in which they finished second on the ladder and advanced to a record 11th Grand Final under the guidance of Craig Bellamy. The Storm’s defensive effort, which had been uncharacteristically breached in the second stanza, could not withstand the sustained momentum generated by Brisbane’s fast-paced offloads and edge movements.
The sin-binning of Storm forward Trent Loiero in the 78th minute for a high tackle further complicated the situation as Melbourne desperately sought a late opportunity. The success of the 2025 NRL-GF also underlined the National Rugby League’s strong commercial trajectory. The season has been widely reported as a record-breaker for viewership and attendance across the entire competition. Preliminary final broadcast numbers reached an Australian total audience of five million, a 36% increase year-on-year for the corresponding week, with officials highlighting the sport's growing popularity among younger viewers. NRL Chief Executive, Mr. Andrew Abdo, noted the broader success of the competition. "This entire finals series, culminating in this sensational NRL-GF, has validated the strategic growth of rugby league," Mr. Abdo stated.
"With record attendance and broadcast numbers consistently being broken, the sport is arguably in its healthiest commercial position in the modern era, delivering significant value to our fans, partners, and clubs across Australia and the Pacific. " Adding to the day’s significance, the Brisbane Broncos also secured the NRL Women’s Premiership title earlier, defeating the Sydney Roosters 22-18 in another hard-fought contest. The dual success underscores the Brisbane club’s commitment to both codes and marks a high-point in the club’s recent history under head coach Kevin Walters. As the NRL season closes, the 2025 Grand Final will be remembered not only for ending Brisbane’s long wait for a title but also for the spectacular individual performance that drove the club to victory, providing a successful climax to a season of record-breaking growth for the sport in Australasia. The focus for 2026 will now turn to whether the Broncos can establish a period of dominance after finally breaking their premiership drought.
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