Broncos Break Storm Hoodoo in Crucial Victory, but Hughes Injury Mars Melbourne’s Finals Lead-up

Historic Victory Seals Finals Destiny

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 regular season, the Brisbane Broncos faced a defining moment at Suncorp Stadium, with their top-four hopes hanging in the balance in front of 44,465 passionate supporters.

The Broncos delivered when it mattered most, securing a convincing 30-14 victory to lock in a qualifying final against the Raiders in Canberra. However, the match proved costly for the Storm, with star halfback Jahrome Hughes suffering a season-ending arm injury in his first game back from a shoulder dislocation.

Walsh Leads Broncos’ Masterclass

Fullback Reece Walsh put on a spectacular performance, contributing two tries, seven goals, 134 run metres, five tackle breaks, a try assist and a 40-20 kick. His impressive display resulted in a personal tally of 22 points, sending him into the finals with sky-high confidence after two consecutive stellar performances.

Rising star Josiah Karapani showed remarkable composure, accumulating 210 metres and scoring a try while demonstrating strong defensive capabilities. The Broncos’ back five were particularly impressive, combining for 624 metres and 13 tackle breaks, thoroughly outperforming their Storm counterparts.

Storm’s Finals Concerns Mount

The Storm’s preparation for the finals has hit a significant hurdle, as they face the prospect of entering their qualifying final against the Bulldogs without Hughes and potentially Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who is facing charges for a high tackle. This marks a rare occasion where the Storm have suffered consecutive losses, something not seen since early 2023.

While the Broncos, led by the dynamic Walsh and powerhouse Payne Haas, have established themselves as genuine premiership contenders, the Storm will be determined to bounce back from their recent 40-10 defeat to the Roosters that overshadowed coach Craig Bellamy’s milestone night.

Finals Picture Takes Shape

The final scoreline of 30-14 has secured the Broncos’ position in fourth place, setting up an exciting qualifying final against the Raiders. The victory was sealed in style when Billy Walters intercepted a pass and immediately found Josiah Karapani, who raced away to score, cementing a memorable top-four finish for Brisbane.