By Nick Wright
Alas, the hoodoo has ended.
For the first time since 2009, the Broncos have defeated the Melbourne Storm in Brisbane, a 26-0 triumph booking their place in the preliminary finals.
In a performance few could have seen coming, given the history between the two sides, the Broncos produced their finest defensive performance of the season – fullback Reece Walsh then inevitably capitalising with the ball.
Coming out for the second half with Brisbane holding an 8-0 lead, headlined by a barnstorming Kotoni Staggs try seven minutes in, Walsh clicked into gear to prove once again he was a man for a big occasion.
After Brisbane were forced to defend their own line just a minute into the second stanza, the Broncos made the Storm pay for not taking advantage of the chance.
Following an Adam Reynolds forced drop-out, the skipper found his livewire No.1, who threw a dummy, brushed off a defender and muscled his way over another to score.
From the following set, after the Storm gifted Brisbane a penalty out of their own end, Reynolds found Walsh once again, who straightened his line in motion and put his second-rower Jordan Riki through to score.
Broncos forward Jordan Riki celebrates his try.Credit: Getty
And with just six minutes to play, there was another highlight to come – a brilliant cut out pass from Reynolds finding an unmarked Selwyn Cobbo to cement a week off in front of 50,197 ecstatic fans.
The masterful halfback even nearly helped himself to a long-range try, only to drop it as he dived in the corner to score.
Much like he did on his State of Origin debut this year, Walsh epitomised an athlete who simply found an even greater gear in the major moments.
The 21-year-old finished with 112 running metres, a try, a try assist, a line break, a line-break assist and eight tackle busts to help inspire the Broncos to the season’s penultimate clash for the first time since 2017.
Papenhuyzen’s sickening injury
He has barely had the chance to get back on the field, but Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is facing another extended stint on the sidelines.
Having played less than two games since returning from an 18-month lay-off due to hamstring and knee concerns, the fan favourite came out of a tackle on his own goal line in absolute agony.
Ryan Papenhuyzen clutches at his broken ankle on Friday night.Credit: NRL Photos
He immediately signalled for medical attention, with his ankle seemingly bent out of place – the likes of Brisbane’s Payne Haas cutting a shocked and forlorn figure at the scenes.
Papenhuyzen required transport from the field, the concern for his welfare clearly apparent on both sides. The incident was horrific enough for the telecast to not replay the moment.
The 25-year-old was confirmed to have broken his ankle, with fears a compound fracture had also occurred in heartbreaking news for the popular sensation.
Carrigan banishes 2019 nightmares
Broncos lock Pat Carrigan told the media during the week he still harboured painful memories of his last finals appearance: a 58-0 drubbing at Suncorp Stadium at Parramatta’s hands.
On the same hallowed turf, he was never going to allow that to happen again.
Carrigan’s intent was obvious from the outset, his opening hits packed with plenty of ferocity that proved the catalyst for an early scuffle between the two outfits.
Every run came with plenty of physicality. However, he was also constantly sniffing for opportunities for second phase play to occur.
By half-time, the 25-year-old had run for 123m with three tackles, made 18 tackles and two offloads, before he began the second half in similar fashion.
While he was forced from the field to undergo a head injury assessment as blood poured from his cheek, Carrigan was cleared of any concerns.
But his services were no longer required – finishing the clash with 193m and 25 tackles.
It just wasn’t Melbourne
There were ominous warnings early that a Storm could be brewing. Quite literally, lightning struck above the stadium and rain began to fall heavily in the opening half.
But they were just never in it. If fact, they just were not Melbourne.
So often the Storm have punished their rivals for errors, however the Broncos defensive wall simply would not cower to them.
Coach Craig Bellamy’s men at times looked desperate, attempting grubbers for the in-goal before the final tackle which were constantly thwarted by Brisbane.
Even in defence, so often the trademark of their game, they were out of sync. For each of Brisbane’s tries, missed tackles aided their cause en route to the line.
Melbourne finished with a completion rate of just 65 per cent and missed 21 more tackles more than the Broncos.
Bellamy will need to overhaul the attitude of his contingent, who with or without the ball never found their mojo.