Reece Walsh inspires Broncos to stunning comeback victory to pinch premiership from Storm

The Brisbane Broncos have claimed the premiership trophy for the first time in 19 years and defeated the Melbourne Storm 26-22 in a thrilling comeback at Accor Stadium.

It was not the easiest of victories for the Queensland-based side as they were forced to adapt to the absence of playmakers Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt, who both left the field injured in the second half.

But even without their veteran halves pairing orchestrating play, it was Reece Walsh who stepped into the leadership role to ensure the Broncos lifted in attack and see Craig Bellamy's men fall short of the trophy for the second consecutive year.

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All eyes were on the individual brilliance of Reece Walsh in the second half as he helped his team through several brutal blows to push them one step closer to premiership glory.

With just over a minute remaining on the clock, the star fullback stepped up to show all on the field what he was made of as he produced a remarkable try-saving tackle on Melbourne's Ryan Papenhuyzen.

The act confirmed that the Broncos were within arms reach of lifting the shield, with the Storm unable to find a moment to break through their rival's line to score.

"That is a premiership defining performance," Melbourne great Billy Slater said on Nine.

"If he wasn't on the field over the last six weeks, they wouldn't be here. If he was not on the field tonight, they would not have won the grand final."

Watch the 2025 NRL grand final live and free on Nine and 9Now.

A total of six points, 176 run metres, 14 tackle breaks and three try assists were recorded by Walsh in what was a heroic grand final display.

That effort was the reason he was named the Clive Churchill Medal winner for 2025.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," Walsh told Nine post-match.

"Oh my god, what a ride. Bronx nation, you're the best.

"I'm just so bloody happy for these boys, man the culture, from sitting in those bushes at that army camp, to riding the wave. Aw baby."

After collecting his medal on stage for best player on the ground, Walsh made light of an incident earlier in the season when he drew attention for posting a video to his social media of him drinking water out of a toilet.

He finished his Clive Churchill Medal speech by saying "plumber out" and cupping his hand to his mouth in a drinking motion.

NRL legend Johnathan Thurston - who famously kicked North Queensland to victory in the 2015 grand final - reckons Walsh's performance was the best he's seen in a grand final.

He compared it to Nathan Cleary's efforts in 2023 to drag Penrith over the line against Brisbane.

"That's number one for me," Thurston said.

"I was in awe of what Nathan Cleary did a couple of years ago, but Reece Walsh did it on both sides of the ball tonight. He was unbelievable.

"Without a doubt... I think that is the greatest individual great final performance I've seen."

Michael Maguire made the game plan clear to the Broncos at half time following what had been a dominant display from Craig Bellamy's men to open the grand final.

But the Storm's dominance was short-lived as Gehamat Shibasaki ignited a spirited display to punch the first points on the scoreboard.

Tui Kamikamica was then denied four points by the Bunker after he cleanly dropped the ball while he attempted to ground it after being challenged by Walsh in the in-goal.

It was then that the Broncos were left to adapt to the absence of their playmakers.

Reynolds was the first to depart the field after he pulled up lame with a calf injury after chasing down a kick, while Hunt left with a concussion with 10 minutes to go.

Yet the departure of two key stars was not enough to throw the game back in Melbourne's favour as the Storm continued to be troubled by simple errors.

A second try for both Deine Mariner and Shibasaki then sealed the result at 26-22.

Earlier in the night, an error by Harry Grant saw the Broncos handed their first penalty of the night and assisted the Broncos to gain strong field position with ease.

If that attacking display was not enough to warn of what was to come, Mariner darted through a hole from close range and tiptoed down the dead ball line to score.

Melbourne's clinical attack then turned the game back in their favour as Nick Meaney swerved from the edge through Brisbane's defence to level the scores, 6-6.

In the next set the Storm were dealt a brutal blow as Jack Howarth came up lame after being tackled out wide. It was later confirmed he had injured a tendon in his groin.

Howarth waited until teammate Eli Katoa punched over the line to put Melbourne in front in the 13th minute before he departed the field with trainers.

Walsh was lucky not to spend any time in the sin bin after he whacked Xavier Coates high when attempting to bring the Melbourne winger down close to his line.

The star fullback was placed on report for the act and Melbourne were gifted a penalty which set up a fierce Will Warbrick try in the corner.

"The Broncos need to get their discipline in order," league icon Brad Fittler said on Nine.

Walsh did not waste time making up for his costly act, pouncing over the line in the 30th minute to narrow the score to four points the difference.

Jahrome Hughes made sure the Storm would end the half on a high as he stepped Pat Carrigan and Kobe Hetherington to score and seal the result at 22-12 into the break.