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"My decision": Walsh's game-winning call to hand over sideline conversion
SEN • September 28th, 2025 9:18 pm
The Brisbane Broncos have charged down the Penrith Panthers, claiming an incredible 16-14 win at Suncorp Stadium to book their place in the 2025 NRL Grand Final.
In a heart stopping contest, the Broncos entered the second half down 14-0, with all signs pointing to yet another Penrith appearance in the Grand Final.
But, in unfathomable fashion, the Broncos outscored the Panthers 16 to nothing in the final half, winning the contest and eliminating the Panthers to set up what will be the first Grand Final without Penrith for the first time this decade.
Reece Walsh walks away with one of the great Preliminary Final moments, executing a perfect overhead pass to winger Deine Mariner, charging home for the try to level the score with just minutes to play.
“Are you joking me! Look at this mate, this is outstanding!” Walsh said post-game.
“(This win is) not just on me mate. I felt some things through that first half. They’re a quality team (Penrith), we got a lot of respect for them.”
In storybook fashion, halfback Adam Reynolds was the hero, nailing the sideline conversion to put the Broncos up and send them to the Grand Final.
Just moments earlier, Walsh missed a sideline conversion that would have levelled scores, and revealed post-game that it was his decision to hand over the final kick to Reynolds.
“Mine, my decision (to give Reynolds the kick),” Walsh said.
“That’s his moment, he’s built for it. I was bloody cheering, but I knew we weren’t done.
“They have so much fire in them, but we had to fight for 80 minutes to get that done!”
Following Sunday afternoon’s thriller, the Broncos will face off against the Melbourne Storm in the 2025 NRL Grand Final.
