Broncos stun Storm 26‑22 at NRL Grand Final, ending 19‑yr drought

The Brisbane Broncos erupted in the final minutes of the 2025 NRL Grand FinalAccor Stadium in Sydney, edging out the Melbourne Storm 26‑22 to snap a 19‑year premiership drought. The match, refereed by Grant Atkins with video oversight from Ashley Klein, unfolded as a roller‑coaster of early dominance, a half‑time deficit, and a second‑half charge that left the crowd of 81,712 on the edge of their seats.

Road to the Grand Final

Both clubs entered the season with lofty ambitions. The Broncos, under the steady guidance of coach Kevin Walters, had spent the past three years rebuilding a youthful roster that finally clicked in the latter half of 2024. A 22‑win regular season and a gritty victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the preliminary final set the tone. Melbourne, meanwhile, were riding a wave of consistency. Coach Craig Bellamy had led the Storm to four straight minor premierships, and a 24‑match unbeaten run in the finals series made them the heavy favourites.

First Half: Storm Surge

The opening 20 minutes felt like a Melbourne showcase. In the 7th minute, Nick Meaney broke through the left edge, slotting a try that he converted an instant later. A second try from Eliesa Katoa at the 13th minute put the Storm ahead 12‑0, and a further effort by Will Warbrick stretched the lead to 18‑0. The Broncos answered back quickly. Fullback Reece Walsh showed his speed in the 30th minute, crossing to make it 18‑6, and a deft pass from five‑eighth Jesse Mariner set up his own try two minutes later. By halftime, premiership hopes hung in the balance at 22‑12 in Melbourne’s favour.

Second Half Turnaround

What followed was a textbook example of a Broncos comeback. Early in the third period, Mariner scored his second try, slipping through a tired defence at the 54th minute. Just minutes later, rookie winger Kotoni Shibasaki struck twice — first at the 45th minute, then again at 57 minutes — each time finishing an intricate passing sequence that left Storm forwards scrambling. Walsh, who had already earned the Clive Churchill Medal later, added a conversion in the 58th minute to seal the 26‑22 victory. Melbourne’s only response was a late penalty try, but the conversion missed, cementing the Broncos’ comeback.

Key Performances and Awards

Walsh’s night was a showcase of all‑round brilliance: one try, three try‑assists, and a crucial try‑saving tackle in the 67th minute. His effort earned him the Clive Churchill Medal, presented by former legend Andrew Johns on the stadium’s big screen. Coach Walters praised his side in the post‑match interview: “We believed in each other when the odds were against us. The boys showed what ‘Broncos spirit’ really means.” Bellamy, visibly disappointed, admitted, “We ran a great season; the final just didn’t go our way. Credit to Brisbane — they deserved it.”

Reactions and Implications

The triumph marks the Broncos’ first premiership since 2006 and their seventh overall, ending a 19‑year drought that had haunted the club’s fanbase. The Provan‑Summons Trophy, glinting under the night lights, returned to the Broncos’ locker room on Red Hill. For Melbourne, the loss was historic: they became the first club since the 2004 Sydney Roosters to lose back‑to‑back grand finals. Analysts predict a reshuffle in the Storm’s roster, with loanees and veteran halfbacks under review. The broadcast, handled by Nine Network, drew record viewership of 5.2 million across Australia. Pre‑match entertainment from American soul‑pop singer Teddy Swims added an extra splash of excitement.

What’s Next for the Broncos?

Looking ahead, the Broncos will head into the off‑season with a core group that includes Walsh, Mariner, and Shibasaki, all under Walters’s tactical eye. Contract extensions are already in the works, and rumors swirl about a potential high‑profile signing from the Super League. Meanwhile, the Storm will regroup, with Bellamy expected to fine‑tune the defensive structures that slipped in the second half. Their next challenge: the 2026 season, where they aim to reclaim the title they narrowly missed.