Broncos Crush Storm as Hughes Injured and Walsh Shines
What a night it was at Suncorp Stadium, where the Brisbane Broncos not only secured their spot in the NRL’s top four but also sent a warning shot to the rest of the competition. They powered past the Melbourne Storm with a convincing 30–14 victory, and while the home crowd was buzzing with excitement, the Storm were left reeling after star halfback Jahrome Hughes went down with what is suspected to be a broken wrist.
The injury to Hughes couldn’t have come at a worse time for Melbourne. He was only just returning from a shoulder setback, but midway through the first half, he came out of a tackle against Brendan Piakura in visible pain. Despite trying to soldier on, it was clear something wasn’t right. He passed the ball grimacing, then disappeared up the tunnel. The early prognosis points to a broken wrist, which now casts serious doubt on his availability for the upcoming finals clash with Canterbury. For a side already carrying some inconsistency, losing Hughes could be a massive blow to their premiership hopes.
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On the flip side, Brisbane had plenty to smile about, and much of that joy came courtesy of their electric fullback Reece Walsh. He was unstoppable. With two tries, several goal kicks, and some dazzling moments of flair, Walsh racked up an incredible personal haul of 22 points. Every time he touched the ball, the Storm defence looked rattled, and by the end of the match, fans were chanting his name. It wasn’t just the points he scored—it was the energy he brought, the creativity in attack, and the confidence that lifted the entire team.
The Broncos built their lead steadily. A controversial early try gave them momentum, and despite a few pushes back from Melbourne—tries from Xavier Coates’ wing partner Will Warbrick and Nick Meaney threatened to spark a Storm comeback—the Queenslanders never truly looked in danger. Walsh kept punishing the Storm with his kicking game and sheer pace, while Brisbane’s forwards muscled up to deny Melbourne any real platform. By the time Walters intercepted a pass in the dying minutes to seal the result, the stadium erupted, knowing the job was done.
For Brisbane, this victory not only locks in a top-four finish but also sets up a blockbuster clash with minor premiers Canberra in the first week of the finals. It’s a confidence boost at just the right time. For Melbourne, though, there are tough questions ahead. Without Hughes, their attack risks becoming predictable, and coach Craig Bellamy will be scrambling to reorganise his spine before facing Canterbury.
So, while the Broncos surge forward with momentum, the Storm limp into the finals battered and uncertain. One team celebrated a statement win, the other was left counting the cost of a tough night at Lang Park.
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