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Brisbane Broncos will face Panthers in NRL Grand Final after dominant 42-12 win over NZ Warriors

The Broncos are just 80-minutes away from ending a 17-year premiership drought, locking in a mouth-watering grand final clash against Penrith after a dominant win over the Warriors.

Peter Badel and Wilson Smith
7 min read
September 24, 2023 - 6:33AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
The Broncos are off to their first grand final since 2015, after a dominant display against the Warriors. Picture: NRL Imagery
The Broncos are off to their first grand final since 2015, after a dominant display against the Warriors. Picture: NRL Imagery

Brisbane are back where they belong at the big dance after a sizzling display from superstar Reece Walsh walloped the Warriors 42-12 on Saturday night and sent the Broncos freewheeling to the NRL grand final.

‘Reece Lightning’ struck Suncorp Stadium with a rare ferocity as the Broncos belted the Warriors in a seven-try massacre to seal a showdown with two-time premiers Penrith in next Sunday’s NRL decider at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Not since 2006 have the Broncos lifted the NRL trophy, but the power of Payne Haas, the wizardry of Adam Reynolds and the lethal speed of Walsh gives Brisbane the weapons to smash a 17-year title drought.

The braveheart Warriors threatened an Anzac ambush.

Instead, they got a Walsh whipping.

The Broncos are off to their first grand final since 2015, after a dominant display against the Warriors. Picture: NRL Imagery
The Broncos are off to their first grand final since 2015, after a dominant display against the Warriors. Picture: NRL Imagery

Before 52,273 fans, Brisbane’s fullback golden boy produced one of the greatest finals performances, posting a head-spinning six line-break assists and three try assists to propel the Broncos to their first grand-final appearance since 2015.

Not even an early Walsh intercept could stop the Broncos, who claimed a 24-12 halftime lead and shifted gears after the break to fire an ominous warning shot at the Panthers.

KEVIN SENT

Brisbane’s grand-final appearance is emphatic vindication for Kevin Walters’ installation as head coach.

The Broncos were a club in crisis when Walters was appointed for 2021. He promised unity. He has injected it. The club legend has presided over a compelling ‘Kev-olution’ that has transformed the Broncos from wooden-spooners to grand finalists.

‘Kevvie’ is now one tantalising win away from restoring the glory days he delivered as a player in the 1990s.

“It’s a great achievement for everyone at the club,” Walters said.

“From where we were as a club to where we are now, to know we are in a grand final.

“Tomorrow when we wake up we have a big job ahead.”

Reece Walsh had a blinder for the Broncos, with three try assists in their preliminary final victory.
Reece Walsh had a blinder for the Broncos, with three try assists in their preliminary final victory.

WONDERFUL WALSH

Speed kills. And 21-year-old Walsh has plenty of it.

Brisbane’s attacking shapes were executed at breakneck speed and Walsh was the poster boy for it, torching the Warriors as he chimed in on backman players as if being shot out of a cannon.

Walsh’s death-or-glory style cost Brisbane early when he threw a 12th-minute intercept pass for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to give the visitors an 8-6 lead, but it is a tribute to his mental resilience that the fullback dynamo never lost his nerve.

It took just four minutes for Walsh to make amends with a sweet short ball for Herbie Farnworth to cross and when he hit an Ezra Mam pass sprinting like Usain Bolt to put Billy Walters over, the Warriors were in tatters at 24-8.

“I was fortunate enough to work with Billy Slater and Reece has the same mindset,” Walters said. “It’s not just his speed, it’s the way he covers the ground, it reminds me of Billy and Darren Lockyer.”

One of Walsh’s try assists was off a blatant forward pass however.
One of Walsh’s try assists was off a blatant forward pass however.

WORLD OF PAYNE

All week Haas kept hearing how Warriors enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake had claims to being the No.1 prop in the game.

Haas emphatically ended that debate, getting the verdict over Fonua-Blake in the crucial front-row battle as Brisbane’s NSW Origin enforcer ran like a man possessed in midfield.

The Broncos No.10 ripped the Warriors apart with a barnstorming 40-metre charge in the first half. Haas was all menace and energy. He had 116 metres inside 30 minutes and finished with 208m to set the tone for a Brisbane side which had a clear intent to outpoint the Warriors’ big boppers in midfield.

BILLY THE KID

Billy Walters’ improvement over the past six weeks has been outstanding. It has added the final piece of potency to Brisbane’s playmaking puzzle.

The son of the Broncos coach showed fine deception early, scoring with a dummy-half snipe in the eighth minute, and his second try in the 24th minute was sweet reward for his presence of mind to back up a flying Walsh.

Look out Penrith. Here come the Broncos.

“The job isn’t done,” Reynolds said. “It’s great making grand finals, but it’s even better winning them.”

Billy Walters is one of the most improved players of the season, scoring a double to help the Broncos qualify for a grand final. Photo Steve Pohlner
Billy Walters is one of the most improved players of the season, scoring a double to help the Broncos qualify for a grand final. Photo Steve Pohlner

RELIVE OUR LIVE COVERAGE BELOW

We have one team locked in for the Grand Final, but now it’s time to find out who will be taking on the Panthers next week … the Brisbane Broncos or the New Zealand Warriors.

The Broncos are looking to qualify for their first grand final appearance since 2015, while the

Warriors have not played in a decider since 2011. Follow our live match coverage below

FULLTIME BRONCOS 42-12 WARRIORS

The Broncos are just 80-minutes away from ending a 17-year premiership drought, after a dominant display against the Warriors to lock in a mouth-watering grand final clash against Penrith.

70TH MINUTE – BRONCOS 42-12 WARRIORS

The Broncos have put now put it beyond doubt, with Herbie Farnworth scoring his second of the night. Get excited Brisbane fans... you’re off to the Grand Final!

65TH MINUTE – REYNOLDS OFF

The Broncos are confident they’re off to the grand final next week, with Adam Reynolds given an early mark.

60TH MINUTE BRONCOS 36-12

STOP THE FIGHT. Ezra Mam has scored for the Broncos, who now lead by 24 points with less than 20 minutes to go. The Warriors will also be down a man for 10 minutes, after Adam Pompey was sin-binned for a professional foul on Kotoni Staggs.

55TH MINUTE BRONCOS 30-12 WARRIORS

UH-OH the Broncos have scored a try off an absolute howler, with Reece Walsh throwing the ball forward to Selwyn Cobbo, who then passed back to Jordan Riki in another possible forward pass. Walsh is clearly so fast that the officials somehow missed a blatant forward pass! Reynolds converts.

51st MINUTE – INJURY NEWS

Its been slow going so far in the second half, but the Warriors have suffered an injury blow. Hooker Wayde Egan has been forced from the field with a head injury, while just minutes earlier Dylan Walker was also forced off the field just minutes earlier. Jazz Tevaga may be forced to fill in at dummy-half.

HALF-TIME BRONCOS 24-12 WARRIORS

What a half of footy... seven tries in the first 40 minutes. A late error from Jazz Tevaga put the Broncos in prime field position in the dying seconds, with Adam Reynolds attempting a two-point field goal, but was charged down. The Warriors defence rallied after the Broncos scored tree tries in just seven minutes, but their ball control has been poor and is keeping them out of the game.

28TH MINUTE BRONCOS 24-12 WARRIORS

The Warriors had to be the next team to score to stay in the contest and score they have. Some Shaun Johnson magic has set up a try to Marcelo Montoya scoring in the corner after a perfectly waited pass. Adam Pompey fails to convert yet again!

Just minutes earlier the Pompey was denied a try after some defensive brilliance from Reece Walsh, but the Warriors were given a penalty after contact was made before he had the ball.

24TH MINUTE BRONCOS 24-8 WARRIORS

This game has exploded, with Reece Walsh igniting the Broncos attack! The star fullback is tearing the Warriors apart with his speed, putting Billy Walters over for a double on the back of a clean linebreak.

INJURY NEWS

Shaun Johnson is struggling to tackle out there, after suffering a suspected finger injury. Johnson went to the sideline for treatment but is staying out there.

19TH MINUTE BRONCOS 18-8 WARRIORS

The momentum has well and truly shifted, with the Broncos starting to exert their control over this game after Jesse Arthars scored in the corner on the back of a Payne Haas linebreak! The big man a clean break and could have put Ezra Mam over untouched but failed to get the ball away. But it didn't matter, after Reynolds put Arthars over in the next play. Reynolds makes the conversion. The Warriors’ poor goal kicking is costing them big time, as they trail by 10.

17th MINUTE BRONCOS 12-8 WARRIORS

Wow we have a contest on our hands here! The Broncos are in again, with Herbie Farnworth reaching out to score for Brisbane after a lovely pass from Reece Walsh.

13th MINUTE BRONCOS 6-8 WARRIORS

It's a Dallin double! The Warriors are in again after DWZ intercepted a Reece Walsh pass to score in the corner once again. Adam Pompey fails to convert.

8TH MINUTE BRONCOS 6-4 WARRIORS

And just minutes later the Broncos have struck back, with Billy Walters scooting from dummy half after a poor miss from Warriors backrower Jackson Ford. Some lovely passes from Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh put Selwyn Cobbo into space, but the winger failed to score himself. Adam Reynolds converts.

5TH MINUTE BRONCOS 0-4 WARRIORS

The Warriors have opened the scoring at Suncorp, with crisp passing from Shaun Johnson and Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad putting Dallin Watene Zelezniak over in the corner. A blatant tackle without the ball penalty from Selwyn Cobbo put the Warriors in prime field position. Adam Pompey fails to convert.

7:50PM KICK-OFF

And we’re underway at Suncorp Stadium, with Brisbane kicking off! Who will come out on top... The Broncos or the Warriors?

7PM LATE MAIL

Both teams are locked in for the preliminary final clash, with no late changes to either team. Kevin Walters has stuck with the same side that hammered the Melbourne Storm in week one of the finals, while the Warriors injured trio from last week are all good to go.

Shaun Johnson has pulled up well after returning from a calf injury, while Josh Curran (dislocated finger) and Marata Niukore (knee) are set to play.

BRONCOS

1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia

Reserve: 18. Corey Oates

WARRIORS

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran

Reserve: 20. Taine Tuaupiki

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