National Rugby League Championship Decider: Storm Face Off Against Broncos
Crucial Events in the Championship Match
- Seven minutes ago: CONVERTED TRY! Melbourne 12-6 Broncos (Katoa, 15)
- Fourteen minutes ago: SUCCESSFUL TRY! Storm 6-6 Broncos (Nick Meaney, 8)
- Twenty minutes ago: SUCCESSFUL TRY! Storm 0-6 Broncos (Mariner, 3)
- Twenty-five minutes ago: Kick-off!
- 1h ago: Brisbane Broncos Lineup Announced
- 1h ago: Melbourne Storm Lineup Announced
- 2h ago: Match Preview
Game Updates
21st Minute: Intense Action as Both Teams Compete
21 mins: Brisbane push forward to the midfield and nearly break through the defensive line through Walsh and Shibasaki on the left side. Another superb kick from Reynolds on the last tackle keeps Brisbane's momentum. For three tackles they stay on the front foot, but some quick passes release the rapid Hughes, and as he's tackled on the 40-meter line, a six-again is awarded for holding the player. Melbourne are now in rhythm, and Warbrick breaks through the line, followed by Xavier Coates making a dash – only for Walsh to catch him high with a shoulder charge! Could that be a yellow card? No, says Atkins, because the winger was dropping low. The fullback is placed on report regardless, and Melbourne continue their onslaught.
19 mins: Cameron Munster Leads Melbourne Offense
19th minute: Cameron Munster is active as the Storm charge at speed down to their 30-meter line. Down the right, Hughes kicks high, Eliesa Katoa rushes up, but in the marking contest, the second-rower knocks on, and Brisbane finally get a respite.
18th Minute: Melbourne Exert Pressure on Broncos
18 mins: The Storm execute a perfect set from the kickoff and put plenty of pressure on Deine Mariner with the last tackle kick. Again, the Brisbane fail to reach the midfield in response, and Reynolds is compelled to kick long to keep his team in touch.
17 mins: Injury for Storm
17 mins: It’s not all good news for Melbourne. Howarth has been replaced due to a groin issue. Tyran Wishart is on in his place.
SUCCESSFUL TRY! Storm 12-6 Brisbane (Eliesa Katoa, 15)
Spectacular, just brilliant. Following consecutive set restarts, Brisbane are flagging. On the third play close to the line on the left side, Melbourne send the ball inside for a couple of passes before Hughes kicks it off the ground and the charging Eliesa Katoa times his charge to perfection to dive on the bobbling ball and stand to celebrate his team’s second try!
From slightly right of the uprights, Nick Meaney kicks his second goal.
12 mins: Melbourne Display Thrilling Attack
12 mins: The Storm look dynamic in offense. They have pace from the ruck, power from the forwards, and crisp hands from the outside players. A dangerous attack ends with a high kick to the left side that is knocked on by Reece Walsh and leads to a infringement to the Melbourne for an obstruction on Coates. The Storm reject the two points and get to work near the goalposts. They get a set restart – and a further one – as Cameron Munster weaves side to side.
10 mins: Back-and-Forth Action
10th minute: Stefano Utoikamanu has delivered as promised from the start and his run from the kickoff allows Harry Grant, then Papenhuyzen, to snipe from dummy-half. Hughes boots from 40m and Reece Walsh catches the high kick on his 10-meter line. The Broncos carry reduced thrust in this set and get fortunate on the final play when Hunt’s pass to Reynolds is dropped. Fortunately, the experienced playmaker kicks superbly to turn Coates around and makes the Melbourne wing to run from his in-goal. The Broncos are overzealous with their pursuit, hitting the Queenslander with a high tackle, and Melbourne can gain attacking field position.
SUCCESSFUL TRY! Melbourne 6-6 Broncos (Nick Meaney, 8)
After the scrum, Stefano Utoikamanu powers forward to the 20-meter line. Then, from fast play from the play-the-ball, all of Melbourne’s big names handle the ball as they catch and pass out to the right hand side until Nick Meaney cuts inside, angles in at serious pace, and carves through a weak tackle line to dive over for an immediate response!
Meaney recovers to add the conversion. We have a shootout!
7 mins: Both Sides Trade Possession
7th minute: The two teams exchange cautious plays either side of midfield, but then the Broncos attempt to attack on their left, only to be unable to hit Shibasaki with the pass. William Warbrick rushes up and forces a knock on for his troubles.
5th Minute: Dream Start for Brisbane
5 mins: This marks the absolute dream start for the Broncos, scoring first before Melbourne have even touched the ball, in an attack dominated by both Haas and Reece Walsh. The Storm might be somewhat frustrated at the referee awarding such an early penalty, but they were clearly breached by the blistering Brisbane offense.
CONVERTED TRY! Storm 0-6 Brisbane (Mariner, 3)
After kicking downfield, Brisbane begin their attack. Storm give away a set restart for offside, and quickly the ball is in the danger area. Where is Walsh? Waiting on the right edge, attracting Jack Howarth, standing his ground, then someway offloading to Mariner on his wing. The winger steps inside, reaches the line, then just, only just stays in the playing area as he runs around to score beneath the goalposts.
A review occurs before Adam Reynolds kicks the conversion, but the video official upholds the on-field decision. Accor Stadium is rocking to the sound of jubilant fans.
2nd Minute: Quick Penalty
2 mins: Jensen, not Haas, takes the first hit-up of the match and the Storm are quick to tackle… but only a few plays later the Storm give away the opening infringement of the night for Grant impeding Haas on the ground. Brisbane immediately in offensive mode.
Match Start!
The 2025 NRL championship decider is under way…
Pre-Match Updates
Melbourne to kick off.
Ceremonies completed, the waiting is almost over. Will it be Melbourne or take the title?
Next enter the Melbourne, led by Grant, to a roar of boos! It seems we know which club’s fans have secured the most tickets. Melbourne are in their traditional kit of purple and blue.
Here come the {
