Broncos stars Ben Hunt, Reece Walsh erase finals demons in legendary 29-28 win over Canberra

With no TV in Canberra’s away sheds, sin-binned Broncos Reece Walsh and Pat Carrigan could only get a feel of the game from crowd noise. This is how the pair planned Brisbane’s counter-attack from the dressing room.

Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas are out for revenge. Picture: Liam Kidston

This wasn’t a final. This was sheer, utter madness.

In one of the most remarkable contests in NRL playoffs history, the Broncos overcame a head-butting brain snap from Reece Walsh as the superstar fullback and halfback Ben Hunt inspired the code’s greatest golden-point comeback.

A mind-blowing 38-metre field goal from Hunt in the 94th minute of extra-time sealed a famous 29-28 Broncos victory on a day of twists and turns that broke Canberra’s hearts at GIO Stadium.

There aren’t enough superlatives to describe what took place in this Sunday national-capital classic.

Walsh appeared to have cost Brisbane victory when he was sin-binned for head-butting Hudson Young in the 52nd minute as the Raiders charged to a 28-12 lead in a rollicking qualifying final.

But after giving Canberra fans the bird, Walsh returned and ran riot, inspiring a head-spinning fightback that saw Brisbane whittle the deficit to 28-26 before more drama after the full-time siren.

Raiders forward Zac Hosking was penalised for taking out Walsh and the Broncos No.1 duly landed a penalty goal after the hooter to shock Raiders fans and send a heartstopping affair to golden point.

Ben Hunt celebrates icing the game. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

The chaos continued in extra-time. Walsh and Raiders half Jamal Fogarty both failed with field-goal attempts. After 90 minutes, the deadlock could not be broken.

Unbelievable.

Fogarty was then denied a try by the video referee in the 93rd minute before Hunt stepped up 60 seconds later, blasting a winning field goal which hit the right upright and fell in Brisbane’s favour.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire is just two wins from a premiership in his first season in charge and he lauded the fighting spirit of his Brisbane players.

“I’ve never seen a game like that,” Maguire said.

“The team going through what they did, I’m super proud of my players.

“We’ve talked about playing a long game and that was definitely a long game.

“They believed to the end.

“There were a lot of players off their feet through various circumstances, but just to see them fight the way they did is a credit to their work ethic.

“There were many times where it was probably nearly gone, but they found a way.”

BRAVEHEART BRONCOS

Hunt’s heroics propelled Brisbane into the preliminary final, meaning the Broncos are just two wins away from breaking their 19-year premiership drought.

Amid the madness, Broncos back-rower Brendan Piakura suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone, while superstar prop Payne Haas hobbled off with what appeared to be an ankle injury.

It was utter heartbreak for the Raiders, who have been plunged into a sudden-death affair with the Sharks next week at GIO.

BACKFIELD BLITZ

Walsh and Canberra opposite Kaeo Weekes waged a fullback battle for the ages.

Walsh drew first blood when he set-up the opening try of the game for Kotoni Staggs and blasted another 40-20, but Weekes hit back with a scintillating solo try which appeared to break Brisbane’s spirits.

The final quarter belonged to Walsh, who produced some remarkable individual acts of brilliance, scoring a 40-metre solo try (67th) and setting up Josiah Karapani (70th) before Gehamat Shibasaki crossed in the 74th to keep Brisbane alive.

BRAIN-SNAP BRONCOS

Maguire must address Brisbane’s ill-discipline and sloppy moments under pressure.

The Broncos gifted Canberra too many cheap metres in midfield and two errors by Piakura and Shibasaki on their own tryline crystallised Brisbane’s shaky application.

Shibasaki dropped the ball cold in the 20th minute, while Piakura paid the price for failing to shut the gate, with lazy defence allowing Weekes to slice through five minutes before the break to give the hosts a crucial 18-12 half-time lead.

In the second half, Walsh and Pat Carrigan were sin-binned for acts that could have been avoided.

Reece Walsh headbutt.

Carrigan was sin-binned just three minutes after Walsh and said the pair planned Brisbane’s riposte in the sheds.

“There’s actually no TV or anything in the change room, so could only go off the feel of the crowd,” Carrigan said.

“I joined Walshy in there and the conversations were pretty clear.

“It was just, ‘Let’s get back out there and let’s have a crack at this.’

“Reece is a big part of what we do and we love having him out there. He never gives up.”

Reece Walsh is sent to the sin bin early in the second half. Picture: NRL photos

STAGGS PARTY

Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs was truly magnificent. The Test hopeful scored the opening try of the game and was Brisbane’s best and most consistent player on a rollercoaster afternoon.

Staggs kept Brisbane in the contest, producing 183 metres and nine tackle busts to submit his claim for an Australian Ashes berth next month.

This wasn’t their slickest performance, but after Hunt’s heroics, maybe the football premiership gods are smiling on the Broncos.

Originally published as Broncos stars Ben Hunt, Reece Walsh erase finals demons in legendary 29-28 win over Canberra