Reece Walsh dazzles as Broncos secure top-four spot; Storm rocked by Jahrome Hughes setback
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Superstar Broncos fullback Reece Walsh turned in a blinder as Brisbane defeated Melbourne 30-14 on Thursday night to lock up a spot in the top four and secure the highly envied double chance.
And not only will the Storm limp into the finals on the back of rare consecutive losses, they could be without gun halfback Jahrome Hughes for their entire finals campaign after he suffered another injury.
Hughes, who was returning from a five-game lay-off due to a dislocated left shoulder, finished up in the 25th minute after suffering a suspected fracture lower down his left arm.
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"I'm not quite sure if it's a wrist or just halfway in the forearm," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said in his post-match press conference.
"I think they pretty much think it's a break, without a doubt. He's in plaster already.
"So, that was a great idea to put him back in this week," he added sarcastically.
Asked if Hughes' season was over, Bellamy said: "I'd imagine, yeah. I haven't asked that question directly, but I'd imagine it would be."
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Hughes was left clutching at his left arm after attempting to tackle Broncos second-rower Brendan Piakura.
The reigning Dally M Medallist remained on the field but went off after throwing a right-to-left pass that left him grimacing.
Tyran Wishart was substituted on to play halfback in Hughes' place.
Walsh was at his attacking best in the No.1 jumper, chalking up 134 run metres, a line break, a line break assist, two tries and a try assist.
The 23-year-old also kicked seven goals from eight attempts, including three conversions and four penalty goals, to account for 22 of Brisbane's 30 points.
Reece Walsh scoring one of his two tries. Getty
Early in the second half, he kicked Brisbane into prime field territory with a 40-20, then capitalised on that territory single-handedly when he sliced through to score a try on the right edge.
"It was a tough week, it was a weird one," Walsh said on Nine's post-match coverage, likely referring to his bizarre toilet stunt and the dropping of Gehamat Shibasaki.
"I thought the boys defended really proud out there tonight. We wanted to try and make a difference and I feel like we did that."
Referee Grant Atkins sent two players to the sin bin in a dramatic two-minute period late in the second half, including serial offender Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
The giant Storm prop hit Broncos bench forward Ben Talty with a shoulder charge in the 37th minute, for which he was reported. Talty passed his head injury assessment.
In the 35th minute, Broncos centre Deine Mariner was sent to the sin bin for being offside, with Atkins explaining it was the third time a Brisbane player had been offside in quick succession.
Piakura and winger Josiah Karapani bagged a try each to complement Walsh's double.
Melbourne only completed at 71 per cent; Brisbane completed at 90 per cent.
And the Storm made 14 errors — 10 more than the Broncos.
Melbourne lost back-to-back games for the first time since rounds two and three of the 2023 season.
Thursday night's loss followed a 40-10 defeat to the Roosters at AAMI Park. Bellamy's team lost the second half of that game 40-0.
The Storm, who finished the regular season in second, will take on the Bulldogs in a home qualifying final.
The Broncos, who finished in fourth, will travel to Canberra to face the Raiders, the minor premiers, in the other qualifying final.
