Reece Walsh’s cheeky reply as Broncos aim to snap bizarre 14-year ‘hoodoo’

The Brisbane Broncos are one of the favourites to win the NRL premiership, but a bizarre 14-year hoodoo is standing in their way.

Reece Walsh isn’t worried about the Broncos’ hoodoo against the Storm. Photo: Fox Sports.

The Brisbane Broncos’ hopes of winning their first NRL premiership since 2006 may well rest on whether they can break one of rugby league’s most bizarre hoodoos.

The Broncos host the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium to kick off finals action on Friday night and they will be aiming to end a 14-game losing streak against the Storm.

Watch every game of The 2023 NRL Telstra Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >

Brisbane last won a game against the Storm in 2016 and even more remarkably, the Broncos haven’t beaten Melbourne at home at Suncorp Stadium since 2009.

The curse continued just last weekend when the Storm beat the Broncos 32-22 in a clash between two weakened sides who rested their stars for finals.

The Storm are the epitome of a bogey side, but Broncos legend and Fox League expert commentator Gorden Tallis believes the streak will be broken on Friday night.

“I didn’t play in it,” Tallis joked to news.com.au when asked about his old team’s losing streak against the Storm.

“All I know is that the Broncos team that’s playing on Friday night would have beaten the last 13 years of the Broncos as well. This is the best team they’ve had since they won the last title.

“It’s great, and there's a lot of talk about it. For a player in my eyes, the odds don’t really worry. I know it sounds funny and we’re going to talk about it and it’s a hoodoo, I don’t think it’ll be brought up.”

The Storm have dominated the Broncos in recent years. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Tallis acknowledged the Storm have an “amazing record” at Suncorp Stadium but backed the Broncos to break the curse and book their place in a preliminary final.

“Brisbane have struggled to beat them the last few years,” he said.

“History’s there for a reason and Melbourne Storm have the wood over them for a lot of reasons. It can be all changed on Friday night and then we don’t even talk about it.”

Tallis is tipping a breakout finals series for Broncos fullback Reece Walsh, adding halfback Adam Reynolds is the player under the most pressure in September action.

“There’s no doubt Reece Walsh is the man for me,” Tallis said.

“Reece, Kalyn Ponga, there’s so many. I think in every side there’s someone. Nathan Cleary without Jarome Luai, but Stephen Crichton’s been absolutely outstanding.

“You go to Brisbane, there’s so many superstars. The one with the most pressure in the finals series would be Adam Reynolds. He’s been bought to do this job.”

Asked if he believes in hoodoos, Walsh joked: “What does that mean? Nah, I know what it means. Nah, I don’t”.

“Do I fear the Storm? No I don’t.”

Reece Walsh is primed for a massive finals series. Photo: Adam Head

Winger Corey Oates won’t take on the Storm after he wasn’t picked in Brisbane’s side, leaving the veteran’s future at the club up in the air.

“I’ve got a strong belief that no one owns any jersey,” Tallis said.

“You’ve got to keep on proving yourself every day at training. Corey Oates is a bloody good player but he’s been injured the last couple of months. He’s been in and out, that’s just what happens.”

And does Tallis believe the Broncos can go all the way and win their first premiership in 17 years?

“Yes I do,” he said.

Week 1 NRL finals fixture

Qualifying Final: Friday, September 8, 7.50pm (AEST), Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane Broncos (2) vs Melbourne Storm (3)

Qualifying Final: Saturday, September 9, 4.05pm (AEST), BlueBet Stadium

Penrith Panthers (1) vs New Zealand Warriors (4)

Elimination Final: Saturday, September 9, 7.50pm (AEST), PointsBet Stadium

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (6) vs Sydney Roosters (7)

Elimination Final: Sunday, September 10, 4.05pm (AEST), McDonald Jones Stadium

Newcastle Knights (5) vs Canberra Raiders (8)

Every game of the NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE in HD with no ad breaks during play, available on Foxtel and Kayo.

Originally published as Reece Walsh’s cheeky reply as Broncos aim to snap bizarre 14-year ‘hoodoo’