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A emerging star of NRL, Walsh, led the Brisbane Broncos to an unexpected title victory on the weekend in Sydney, assisting orchestrate another 10-point rally in an exceptional individual grand final displays that made the opposition helpless in a close-fought upset.

Brilliant Display by the Fullback

The fullback delivered a barnstorming try, multiple assists, multiple try-savers – featuring a vital effort in the dying moments – and a constant confidence on the evening he rose to the top of the league. Brisbane were without two key playmakers to injury in the second half, but it did not matter, as Walsh and the resolute defensive effort of his colleagues secured his team’s maiden championship in a long wait.

“Oh my god, what a bloody ride,” Walsh said immediately after the final whistle. “Many critics [wrote] us off throughout the season, but you’re the only ones who believed in us. We love yous.”

Turning Points

• the fullback evaded a rushing opponent to send the winger for a try early.
• At the last play, Walsh made a decision by focusing on the Storm fullback and stopped him with a challenge.
• The Broncos overcame a 10-point lead from the Storm in the middle of the first half.

Unit Performance

Lock Carrigan noted it was a tribute to the full roster. “Traveling, losing two boys, it’s known the narratives of the previous rounds, so for the boys to step up, it’s fantastic,” he said, noting that Maguire gave them belief in his interval address. “His message was back our D [defence]. Lucky we had two rehearsals the previous rounds, we were confident that if we could play our game, we’d be good enough.”

Opposition Quality

But the caliber of their opposition soon became obvious. Key was Hughes, who evaded into space and to score to reinstate the their comfortable margin just before intermission. He assisted a further try with a grubber, and was a persistent danger, with his kicking – to the flyer especially – causing the opposition ongoing grief.

Historic Contribution

However so outstanding was Walsh’s contribution, erasing a lead again won’t be the primary factor the game is recalled. In this excellent grand final, the two teams completed a combined high percentage sets in the opening period. However one instance that was most memorable. A swift Brisbane play from the line attracted the fullback from the backfield, and he requested a fast ball from dummy half. Using speed and skill, he weaved and dashed his route to score, leaving behind multiple opponents in his wake.

“Absolute freak,” stated a fellow player, who made amends a ten years after his knock-on in the 2015 grand final.

He wasn’t finished. His remarkable effort persisted in the later period, when he assisted scores to catch up to the Storm then placed the Brisbane ahead. He denied a likely Tui Kamickamicka try by striking the player’s arms as he was grounding the ball, and he chased down the opponent again when he got away.

For Brisbane, subsequent to late rallies in matches with Canberra and Penrith in the finals previously, this was a incredible third rally of a significant margin, confirming their reputation as determined champions.