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A rising star of rugby league, the young fullback, drove the Brisbane Broncos to an unlikely championship on the weekend in the Olympic city, assisting engineer one more double-digit comeback in one of the great individual championship showings that rendered the Storm powerless in a tight-score upset.

Stellar Display by Reece Walsh

The fullback delivered a powerful score, three setup passes, three try-savers – featuring a vital effort in the final minute – and a unstoppable confidence on the occasion he climbed to the peak of the sport. The team suffered injuries to important players to knocks in the second half, but it made no difference, as the fullback and the desperate defensive effort of his colleagues secured his franchise’s maiden championship in nearly two decades.

“Wow, an amazing experience,” Walsh said right after the final whistle. “Many critics underestimated us throughout the season, but our supporters who trusted us. We appreciate you.”

Turning Points

• Reece Walsh evaded a closing defender to assist the winger across at the start.
• At the 80th minute, he gambled by hitting Ryan Papenhuyzen and stopped him with a challenge.
• The team fought back from a 10-point deficit held by the Storm during the opening period.

Squad Contribution

Forward Pat Carrigan commented it was a tribute to the whole team. “Arriving, suffering setbacks, we all know the storylines of the previous rounds, so for the players to fly for it, it’s fantastic,” he remarked, noting that Maguire gave them belief in his half-time speech. “His message was trust our defence. Thankfully we experienced similar situations the recent games, we were confident that if we could execute our plan, we’d be good enough.”

Other Side Quality

But the standard of their opposition was evident. There was the halfback, who evaded through the line and to score to reinstate the Storm’s two-score advantage near the break. He set up another with a precise kick, and was a constant menace, with his kicking game – to winger Xavier Coates notably – causing Brisbane ongoing grief.

Unforgettable Contribution

Yet so outstanding was Reece’s contribution, coming from behind another time will not be the primary factor this match is recalled. In this excellent championship decider, the two teams completed a joint 39 of 42 possessions in the initial 40 minutes. However there was one moment that shone brightest. A quick Broncos play the ball 20m out attracted Reece from the defensive line, and he called for a fast ball from playmaker. With a mix of speed and skill, he weaved and dashed his way under the posts, leaving behind five Melbourne defenders trailing.

“Phenomenal player,” said teammate Ben Hunt, who atoned a decade after his knock-on in the 2015 grand final.

The star wasn’t finished. His stunning contribution carried on in the after the break, when he set up two tries to overtake the opposition then placed the Broncos leading. He denied a probable Tui Kamickamicka score by striking the forward’s hands when he was planting the ball, and he chased down the Storm fullback another time when he escaped.

For Brisbane, subsequent to late rallies against the Raiders and the Panthers in the finals already, this was a hard to believe third turnaround of double digits, confirming their reputation as resilient champions.