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The emerging talent of professional rugby, Walsh, drove the Queensland side to an unlikely title victory on Sunday in the Olympic city, helping engineer one more significant turnaround in one of the great personal grand final performances that left the opposition powerless in a tight-score upset.

Outstanding Effort by Walsh

The No. 1 delivered a dynamic touchdown, multiple try assists, key tackles – featuring one in the dying moments – and a relentless confidence on the evening he climbed to the top of the league. Brisbane were without star halves to harm in the second half, but it made no difference, as Reece and the resolute defence of his teammates secured his club’s first premiership in a long wait.

“Incredible, what a journey,” the star stated following the end. “Many critics underestimated us throughout the season, but you’re the only ones who had faith in us. We love yous.”

Decisive Plays

• Walsh evaded a closing Jack Howarth to send Mariner across at the start.
• At the last play, Walsh made a decision by focusing on Ryan Papenhuyzen and stopped him with a challenge.
• Brisbane overcame a 10-point deficit held by the Melbourne in the middle of the opening period.

Unit Performance

Forward Pat Carrigan said it was a credit to the entire Broncos squad. “Traveling, injuring key players, it’s known the narratives of the last two [weeks], so for the boys to respond, it’s fantastic,” he added, adding that Maguire gave them assurance in his half-time speech. “He told us trust our defence. Lucky we experienced two rehearsals the last two weeks, we believed that if we could execute our plan, we’d be good enough.”

Other Side Quality

But the standard of their rivals soon became obvious. Key was Hughes, who evaded past defenders and for a try to reinstate the Storm’s comfortable margin near half-time. He assisted a further try with a grubber, and was a constant menace, with his kicking game – to winger Xavier Coates especially – giving Brisbane ongoing grief.

Historic Display

However so incredible was Reece’s contribution, coming from behind another time will not be the key takeaway the grand final is recalled. Throughout the excellent championship decider, the both sides executed a combined high percentage possessions in the initial 40 minutes. But a single play that stood out. A swift Brisbane play from the line brought the fullback from the backfield, and he called for a fast ball from hooker. Combining force and agility, he swerved and skittled his route to score, beating several Storm players behind him.

“Absolute freak,” stated a fellow player, who atoned a following his knock-on in the 2015 grand final.

He wasn’t finished. His remarkable effort persisted in the second half, when he assisted scores to overtake the Melbourne then moved the his team leading. He denied a certain opposing forward try by contacting the forward’s hands just as he was placing the ball, and he chased down the opponent again when he got away.

For Brisbane, following comebacks versus Canberra and Penrith Panthers in the postseason previously, this was a hard to believe third rally of double digits, confirming their legacy as determined winners.