NRL grand final recap: Reece Walsh dominates epic decider as Brisbane come back to beat Melbourne
Brisbane are the 2025 NRL premiers after one of the greatest grand finals we’ve ever seen.
Reece Walsh was the star of the night, winning the Clive Churchill Medal, as the Broncos came back from 10 points down at half time.
Catch up with all the action below.
Forward pass denies Broncos
H2 27.20 - Melbourne 22 Brisbane 16
Brisbane were denied a try but a correctly called forward pass from Reece Walsh.
They were so close to bringing the scores back to level.
“What an exhilirating stage of the grand final this is,” Mat Thompson said.
Adam Reynolds is out!
H2 32.00 - Melbourne 22 Brisbane 16
Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds looks to be out of the game.
This is a huge blow for the Broncos.
He tried to limp off the ground before lying on the ground in pain.
Reynolds eventually got to the sidelines, but had to be carried down to the changerooms.
“That is such a sad sight,” Mat Thompson said.
Brisbane close the lead
H2 33.26 - Melbourne 22 Brisbane 16
What a turnaround - Kamikamica was inches away from a try for Melbourne.
It was no try, and the Broncos have gone down the other end and scored through Gehamat Shibasaki.
“That was too easy, way too easy,” Andrew Johns said.
“Melbourne Storm defence quite passive.”
Adam Reynolds was not able to convert, so the Broncos still trail by a full converted try.
It’s a game of inches
H2 37.03 - Melbourne 22 Brisbane 12
Tui Kamikamica was inches from scoring a try that would have put Melbourne 14 points up, but the big front-rower was instead penalised for a knock-on.
A brilliant kick from Cameron Munster set Kamikamica up and he nearly finished it off, but a late tackle from Reece Walsh saved the day for Brisbane.
“That was a moment right there,” Andrew Johns said.
Half-time
HT - Melbourne 22 Brisbane 12
What a first half!
Brisbane were just metres from scoring on the last play of the half, but Melbourne resisted.
To win the premiership, the Broncos are going to have to stage yet another comeback in the second half.
Reece Walsh has been electric for Brisbane, but Melbourne have just had too much firepower so far.
“For us it’s the little moments, and if we’re able to win as many of those little moments as we can, it’ll go a long way to us winning the game,” Jahrome Hughes told Nine.
What broken arm?!
H1 3.34 - Melbourne 22 Brisbane 12
Dislocated shoulder, broken arm - doesn’t matter!
Jahrome Hughes has scored for the Storm.
How does he continue to do it?
“Jahrome Hughes with an incredible individual effort!” Mat Thompson said.
The try was easily converted from directly in front and the Storm are up by 10.
ENTER WALSH
H1 8.30 - Melbourne 16 Brisbane 12
It was only a matter of time before Walsh imposed himself on this game again.
The Broncos dynamo broke through the Storm line to cut the margin back to six.
“What a grand final try - sit back and look at this,” Andrew Johns said.
“We know he’s got the Hollywood looks, but he’s tough. He’s as tough as they come.”
Billy Slater added: “That is one of the most inspiring grand final tries I’ve ever seen.”
Michael Maguire has just injected Ezra Mam into the game.
Meantime, Alex McDonald has is under an injury cloud for Melbourne.
Captain’s challenege
H1 11.21- Melbourne 16 Brisbane 6
Smart captain’s challenge from Melbourne there, who had a decision overturned and got the ball back.
There was a stop in play anyway for a HIA, and the Storm got the ball back at their own tryline after a successful bunker challenge.
Melbourne stretch away
H1 17.35 Melbourne 16 Brisbane 6
They’re running away with the lead now, the Storm.
They’re out by 10 points with still plenty of football left in this first half.
Nasty high shot
H1 20.15 - Melbourne 12 Brisbane 6
Reece Walsh is on report for a high shot on Xavier Coates, but he hasn’t been sin binned.
