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Brisbane Broncos edge Storm in thrilling NRL grand final / Photo: Izhar KHAN - AFP
Brisbane Broncos edge Storm in thrilling NRL grand final
Superstar Reece Walsh helped the Brisbane Broncos end a 19-year National Rugby League title drought with a pulsating 26-22 victory over the Melbourne Storm on Sunday.
The Broncos ran in five tries to four in a free-wheeling grand final played in front of 80,223 fans at Stadium Australia.
The Broncos, runners-up in 2023, trailed 12-22 after the highest-scoring first half in grand final history yielded six tries.
But they were inspired by Walsh and scored the only three tries after the interval.
"It hasn't sunk in yet, I'm just so happy for the boys. A lot of people wrote us off this year," Walsh said after Brisbane's seventh title.
The Broncos last won in 2006, when they beat the Storm 15-8 in the only previous grand final between them.
It was a bitter disappointment for the Storm, who lost in the grand final for the second straight year.
"Hopefully, we will be back bigger and better next year. We'll lick our wounds and hopefully learn from this," Storm star Cameron Munster said.
The Storm entered as favourites, having won two more games than the Broncos in the regular season.
However, after missing the finals last season, the Broncos showed a steely resolve under new coach Michael Maguire.
They stunned minor premiers the Canberra Raiders in the qualifying final before reaching the decider after ending Penrith's quest for a fifth straight title.
The Broncos' confidence was evident with Deine Mariner crossing over in the second minute.
It was the second-fastest try in grand final history, but the Storm were undaunted despite losing centre Jack Howarth to a groin injury.
The Storm gained a stranglehold despite a moment of magic from 23-year-old Walsh, who barged through for a spectacular try.
Brisbane's task of conjuring another rally started well after the interval when Gehamat Shibasaki bulldozed over the line.
The Broncos then surged into the lead despite losing skipper Adam Reynolds to a hamstring injury.
Their defence held firm in the tense final moments with Walsh, fittingly, laying a bone-crunching tackle on Ryan Papenhuyzen to seal the result.
The Broncos earlier edged the Sydney Roosters 22-18 to win the Women's NRL title.
They jumped out of the blocks to lead 12-0 at half-time only for the Roosters, the minor premiers, to storm back and take the lead after the break.
But Mele Hufanga clinched the Broncos' record-extending fourth title with a late try as tempers flared at the final siren.
H.Bauer--BlnAP
