Storm 22
Broncos 26
Reece Walsh produced one of the finest performances of his career as the Brisbane Broncos mounted a second-half comeback to beat the Melbourne Storm 26-22 and win their first NRL premiership in 19 years.
Walsh claimed the Clive Churchill Medal with a try, three assists and saving three more, as the Broncos claimed their seventh premiership in front of 80,223 fans in Sydney.
First-year Broncos coach Michael Maguire also joins the history books alongside Wayne Bennett, Chris Anderson, Jack Gibson, Tim Sheens and Phil Gould as the only coaches to have won titles with two clubs, having also triumphed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014.
In a repeat of the 2006 decider, which the Broncos won 15-8 to claim their last premiership, Brisbane had to overcome the loss of both playmakers Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt, as well as a 10-point deficit, to secure victory.
The Storm, who were also beaten in last year’s decider, looked the better of the two sides in the first half but barely fired a shot in the second until the final moments of the contest, where they had one last roll of the dice to win it all.
The Broncos made a dream start to the final when they won a penalty after just the third tackle, and on the ensuing set, Walsh put Deine Mariner through to score the opening try of the game under the posts in the second minute, although the winger came very close to stepping over the dead-ball line while trying to bring it closer to the posts.
But it didn’t take long for the Storm to respond, as they spread the ball to the right edge before Nick Meaney made an excellent run, beating three defenders to score and level the match.
That try gave the Storm all the momentum and, after back-to-back sets on the goal line, they eventually converted when Eli Katoa pounced on a Jahrome Hughes grubber kick for their second try after 16 minutes.
Walsh was put on report for a shoulder charge and, after turning down the chance at a penalty goal, the Storm were rewarded when Will Warbrick crashed over in the corner.
Walsh didn’t let the error affect him, as he inspired the Broncos back into the match with a powerful run any front-rower would be proud of, breaking three tackles to score his side’s second.
But it was the Storm who had the final say of the half when Hughes stepped his way past three defenders to score under the posts and give Melbourne a 22-12 lead at the break, the highest-scoring first half in NRL grand final history.
The Storm thought they’d made the perfect start to the second half, but Tui Kamikamica lost the ball over the line while trying to gather a Cameron Munster grubber, and the Broncos made them pay, with Gehamat Shibasaki scoring minutes later.
Disaster then struck for the Broncos when captain Reynolds limped off with a calf injury while chasing down a kick, and shortly after Brisbane thought they’d have a chance to level the match when Josiah Karapani crossed the line, but Walsh’s offload in the lead-up travelled forward.
But after a crucial turnover by Ezra Mam, the Broncos struck with back-to-back tries to Marriner and Shibasaki to lead by four heading into the final 20 minutes.
The Broncos then lost Hunt in the last 10 minutes after he was knocked out attempting a tackle.
Storm forward Trent Loiero was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle in the final minutes, as the Broncos held on to secure victory.
It capped off a memorable day for the Broncos after their NRLW team also won their grand final, beating the Sydney Roosters 22-18, their first premiership in five years.
Kiwi Ferns centre Mele Hufanga won the Karyn Murphy Medal after scoring a game-winning try for the Broncos.
Storm 22 (Nick Meaney, Eli Katoa, Will Warbrick, Jahrome Hughes tries; Meaney 3 cons).
Broncos 26 (Deine Mariner 2, Gehamat Shibasaki 2, Reece Walsh tries; Adam Reynolds 2 cons, Walsh con).
HT: 22-12.