NRL Round 20 2024: Brisbane Broncos win 30-14 over Newcastle Knights

It was all hands on deck, as the Broncos welcomed back their Origin stars and skipper Adam Reynolds, to snap a stunning six-game losing streak to keep their slim finals hopes alive.

NRL Round 20 2024 Knights vs Broncos. Picture: NRL Imagery

Resurgent Reece Walsh and returning skipper Adam Reynolds combined superbly to keep the Broncos’ finals hopes alive with a 30-14 drubbing of the Knights on Saturday night.

Reynolds’ 79-day absence is over and so is Brisbane’s 65-day losing streak, with the halfback master and his fullback apprentice Walsh delivering a sublime one-two punch to floor the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Brisbane’s worrying run of six consecutive losses was emphatically snapped as Reynolds returned from biceps surgery to restore scrumbase order, allowing ‘Reece Lightning’ to strike at his electric best.

The Broncos have snapped a six-game losing streak to keep their finals hopes alive. Picture: NRL Imagery

With Brisbane’s key trio Walsh, Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan backing up from Origin III, the superstar fullback set-up one of Deine Mariner’s two tries and scored one himself to propel the Broncos to an 18-0 halftime lead.

Brisbane (8-10) then nailed Newcastle’s coffin shut and must win five of their last six games to make the finals, including next Saturday’s crucial clash with the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.

“I’m very happy, the players were under enormous pressure,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said. “It’s been tough going, so it’s really good to get back in the winner’s circle.”

RED-HOT REECE

When Walsh hits top gear, few can stop Brisbane’s Ferrari.

It’s been a turbulent 2024 campaign for Walsh but the Maroons maestro resembled the magical 2023 version as he tore the Knights to shreds with his vision and blinding acceleration.

The 22-year-old sliced through from a scrum win in the 30th minute before hitting a flying Mariner with a precision face-ball eight minutes later to have Brisbane surging at 18-0.

Walsh was in the mood. When he put Brendan Piakura (49th) over with a short ball, the Knights were shot. He finished with six tackle busts, two line breaks and two try assists in a 122-metre masterclass.

“It was good for Reece to get some confidence back,” Walters said. “He is very hard to defend when he gets moving. “Adam and Reece have a unique combination, when they get on the field they just know what each other are doing.”

Backing up from Origin, Reece Walsh used his blistering speed to score a try and set up two others. Picture: NRL Imagery

REYNO RESCUE

Surprise, surprise. Brisbane’s six-match losing streak ended as soon as their chief commander, Reynolds, returned after an 11-week lay-off.

While Walsh provided the magic, Reynolds oozed game management. In his 50th game for the Broncos, the 34-year-old gave Brisbane direction and rhythm. If he stays fit, the Broncos can easily make a late-season surge to the playoffs.

Reynolds’ return unshackled his halves partner Ezra Mam, who returned to form in a 150-metre blitz headlined by a runaway try in the 64th minute.

“I was just excited to be back,” the skipper said. “I wanted to be in the battle with the guys. This is a step in the right direction.”

Skipper Adam Reynolds made his return from a bicep injury and the Broncos looked like a completely different side under his leadership Picture: NRL Imagery

BEST’S BLOW

Not only did the Knights’ finals hopes cop a major blow, but they were left to rue the loss of NSW Origin centre Bradman Best, who hobbled off in the 10th minute with a hamstring injury.

“We think it’s a low-grade (strain) but it’s the other hammy from earlier in the year,” Knights coach Adam O’Brien said.

“He needs to go for scans but there are signs it’s not a massive thing.”

Dally M champion Kalyn Ponga tried to match Walsh, but he was outpointed as the bumbling Knights conceded 10 line breaks and missed a whopping 56 tackles.

Ponga was wary of a Broncos fightback.

“I was expecting their Origin guys to play considering where they are on the ladder,” he said.

“We didn’t respect the footy in the opening 20 minutes and you can’t afford to do that against a team like the Broncos.”

The Knights suffered an injury blow, with Bradman Best suffering another hamstring injury. Picture: NRL Imagery

KNIGHT-MARE

Newcastle fell behind the Broncos on percentages and they could finish the weekend in 13th spot. Their season is slipping away.

“We still have our hands on the controls but it’s loosening,” O’Brien said.

“We aren’t reliant on other results but it will slip soon if we don’t fix it quickly.

“We need to be content playing like an ugly team. When you don’t have the guys who can put the finishing touches on, you need to get the other stuff right.”

BITTER SWEET BRONCOS

While centre duo Mariner and Kotoni Staggs were outstanding, boom back-rower Brendan Piakura tweaked his groin and could be in doubt for the Bulldogs clash.

But as long as Reynolds and Walsh stay on the park, Brisbane can dare to dream.

“We’re not through the other side, but we have a foot halfway through the fence,” Walters said. “We’ll bust the fence down now.”

Originally published as NRL Round 20 2024: Brisbane Broncos win 30-14 over Newcastle Knights