Battle of Brisbane provides its best showdown yet

By Chase Christensen 

Image Credit: NRL.com 

The second Battle of Brisbane in 2026 provided one of the most exciting games of rugby league all season, with the Dolphins completing an incredible comeback against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. 

There was plenty on the line for both sides heading into the match. For the Dolphins, a victory would all but guarantee them a finals berth for the first time in club history. For the Broncos, their finals chances had already been smothered weeks ago, but that did not make this game any less important. Bragging rights and the metaphorical ownership of Suncorp Stadium were at stake with neither side wanting to walk away as the loser. 

The match also marked a special occasion for Billy Walters, who finally returned to the Broncos starting lineup after rupturing his ACL in September. After spending months on the sidelines, Walters could not have asked for a better start. He kicked a 40/20 early in the match, giving Brisbane a huge momentum boost and helping them race out to an unbelievable 24-0 lead. 

For a Broncos side that had struggled throughout the season, it looked like everything had finally come together. They were playing with confidence, attacking with purpose and putting enormous pressure on the Dolphins. 

However, Broncos fans knew that a 24-point lead would not necessarily be enough. 

Brisbane have developed a habit of switching off during matches throughout the season, which has contributed to them sitting second last on the ladder. On the other hand, the Dolphins have already produced some massive comebacks during their short NRL history. Despite being completely dominated early, the Dolphins still had plenty of time to fight their way back into the match. 

That comeback began with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. 

The Dolphins star produced a try against the run of play that gave his side the belief they needed. From there, the momentum began to shift. The Dolphins started finding holes in Brisbane's defence, while the Broncos struggled to maintain the intensity that had given them such a commanding lead. 

The points continued to come at an incredible rate, with the Dolphins slowly but surely eating into Brisbane's advantage. By half time, the Broncos were still in front, but only just, leading 30-24. It was the highest scoring first half of the season to that point and a perfect example of just how unpredictable the Battle of Brisbane had become. 

The second half continued in much the same way. Brisbane managed to hold onto their lead for much of the half, but the Dolphins refused to go away. Every tackle became more important, and every attacking set felt like it could change the entire match. 

Then, in the 67th minute, the moment arrived. 

Once again, it was the Hammer who changed the game. 

Tabuai-Fidow produced a magnificent catch before scoring, putting the Dolphins in front for the first time. After trailing 24 points earlier in the match, the Dolphins had completed one of the greatest comebacks in the club's young history. 

The Broncos desperately tried to respond, but the Dolphins had all the momentum. A try from Selwyn Cobbo shortly afterwards effectively sealed the result and sparked celebrations among the travelling Dolphins supporters. 

For Kristian Woolf's men, the win puts the Dolphins just one victory outside the top four and only four points away from first place. What once looked like a difficult finals campaign now appears to be a genuine opportunity for the club to make history. 

For the Broncos, however, it is another painful chapter in what has been a disastrous season. They have now lost 11 of their past 12 games, with their only victory during that period coming against the ladder leading Panthers. 

It is difficult to explain how quickly things have changed for Brisbane. Less than 10 months ago, they were one of the most feared teams in the competition. Now, they are sitting near the bottom of the ladder and watching their local rivals move closer to the top. 

Only in rugby league can one team be at the very top of the mountain and fall all the way down less than 10 months later. 

The Battle of Brisbane has always carried plenty of emotion, but this one felt different. It had everything a great derby should have, huge comebacks, unbelievable tries, momentum swings and a result that could have a major impact on the rest of the season. 

For the Dolphins, it could be the night that changed everything.