The Mole's player ratings: 'Quiet' Storm star shown up as 'brilliant' Bronco makes a mess of Melbourne defence

The Broncos broke a 19-year premiership drought, beating Melbourne thanks to a Reece Walsh-inspired comeback in the second half at Accor Stadium.

It was a tough night for several Storm players.

Wide World of Sports' The Mole runs the rule over every player from both teams.

READ MORE: Walsh inspires epic Broncos comeback to clinch premiership

READ MORE: 'Sad sight' as Adam Reynolds carried off with leg injury

READ MORE: Walsh's Kangaroos debut in doubt after ugly high tackle

BRISBANE BRONCOS

1. Reece Walsh

Best performance by a fullback in a grand final for many years, scoring a try, setting up three and saving two. Brilliant.

Rating: 9.5

2. Josiah Karapani

Struggled containing Warbrick when he was in full flight and then finished the night off the field with a HIA.

Rating: 5.5

3. Kotoni Staggs

Dynamic in the lead-up games, was kept in check in the grand final but still a threat with ball in hand.

Rating: 7

4. Gehamat Shibasaki

Finished a memorable season with two tries and three line breaks - what a success story!

Rating: 8

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5. Deine Mariner

Bagged two tries and led the Broncos in run metres - hard to believe he was dropped mid-season!

Rating: 8

6. Ben Hunt

Solid without being spectacular before a bad head knock ended his night nine minutes from the finish.

Rating: 5

7. Adam Reynolds

Was marshalling the attack competently before tragedy struck - a leg injury early in the second half.

Rating: 6

8. Corey Jensen

Did his job holding up the middle and preventing the Storm from dominating the rucks.

Rating: 6

9. Cory Paix

No runs last week, one run this week but gave his playmakers good service from dummy half.

Rating: 5.5

10. Payne Haas

Made less metres than usual but came up with some big plays when the Broncos needed them and had a real presence.

Rating: 7.5

11. Brendan Piakura

Recovered from a HIA to hand in a busy display on and off the ball.

Rating: 6.5

12. Jordan Riki

Played the full 80 minutes but saw little of the ball, making just 70 metres.

Rating: 6

13. Patrick Carrigan

His amazing motor was a key factor in the Broncos' fightback, playing the whole match and topping the tackle count.

Rating: 8

14. Ezra Mam

Added real spark to the Broncos attack when they looked down and out late in the first half and then took over the wheel when Reynolds and Hunt went down.

Rating: 7.5

15. Kobe Hetherington

In his final game for the club before heading to Manly, added plenty of oomph from the bench.

Rating: 6.5

16. Xavier Willison

The Broncos' most effective bench man, making 150 metres in 40-odd minutes.

Rating: 7

17. Tyson Smoothy

Saw little ball in the final 20 minutes but held his nerve under intense pressure.

Rating: 4.5

MELBOURNE STORM

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen

Mixed bag - ran for over 200 metres and set up a try but missed Walsh badly once and bombed a try late in the game with a poor pass.

Rating: 7

2. William Warbrick

Scored a good try but made a couple of uncharacteristic errors with the football.

Rating: 6

3. Jack Howarth

An unhappy night, letting in the Broncos' first try before a groin injury forced him off after just 16 minutes.

Rating: 2

4. Nick Meaney

Scored a fine try early on but struggled to contain Shibasaki, who ran through him twice for tries.

Rating: 6

5. Xavier Coates

Got few chances with the ball in the red zone but safe under the high ball - as always.

Rating: 5.5

6. Cameron Munster

Quiet by his standards, not playing a part in any of the Storm's four tries but always looked dangerous.

Rating: 6

7. Jahrome Hughes

Tried to lift his team, scoring a slick solo try and laying on another.

Rating: 7.5

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

Talked the talk during the week but failed to walk the walk on the big night, having little impact.

Rating: 5.5

9. Harry Grant

The Storm's danger man had less impact than in recent weeks, well marked and unable to create mischief around the rucks.

Rating: 6

10. Josh King

Brought off a couple of big hits in defence but gained just 80-odd metres with the ball.

Rating: 5.5

11. Shawn Blore

Like many of the Storm forwards, below his form of recent weeks as the Broncos dominated the ruck.

Rating: 5

12. Eliesa Katoa

The best Storm player on the night, scoring a try and laying on another with a superb pass to Warbrick.

Rating: 8

13. Trent Loiero

A moment of madness in his 100th game saw him finish in the sin bin following a shoulder charge, letting his team down badly.

Rating: 5

14. Tyran Wishart

Got over an hour off the bench following Howarth's early injury and gave a solid performance.

Rating: 6

15. Ativalu Lisati

The least experienced player on the field, struggled with the hype - just two runs for 18 metres.

Rating: 4

16. Tui Kamikamica

Could have won the game for his team but dropped the ball over the line in a costly moment.

Rating: 4

17. Alec MacDonald

Played just 15 minutes and had little impact in that time in attack.

Rating: 3