Broncos certify Brisbane as Australia’s sporting capital

By Chase Christensen 

Credit: ‘The Australian’ 

Brisbane has officially cemented itself as Australia’s sporting capital with the Broncos’ stunning NRL Grand Final triumph completing what has been a golden year for Queensland sport. For the first time since 2006, the Broncos are champions once again, a victory that not only ended an 18-year drought, but also capped off a remarkable sporting sweep that included the Brisbane Lions, Broncos NRLW and Queensland’s State of Origin dominance. 

It was a night that will live long in Brisbane folklore. At halftime fans around the nation were quiet, the Broncos trailing Melbourne 22–12 - the energy in pubs, lounge rooms and fan zones dimmed with every minute. Yet, among the silence a sense of belief lingered. Many remembered the team’s resilience shown throughout the finals, the fightback wins over Canberra and Penrith and held onto the hope that the ‘comeback kings’ had one more miracle left in them. 

And deliver they did! In one of the most extraordinary second halves in recent grand final memory, the Broncos left Melbourne scoreless and stormed home to win 26–22. It was a performance built on sheer determination, defensive grit and moments of brilliance, the kind that define premiership teams. The comeback wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. 

At the centre of it all was Reece Walsh, with the electric fullback delivering what many are calling the best grand final performance of the modern era, taking home the Clive Churchill Medal in dominant fashion. Walsh was simply everywhere, slicing through Melbourne’s defence with his blistering pace, setting up tries with vision beyond his years and perhaps most crucially, saving one at the death. His last-ditch tackle on Ryan Papenhuyzen in the dying moments summed up his night perfectly, brave, relentless and full of heart. It was the kind of performance that cements legacies and inspires generations. 

But perhaps the most touching story of the night belonged to Ben Hunt. Ten years after his infamous dropped kick-off in the 2015 grand final that cost Brisbane a premiership, Hunt returned to the biggest stage not as the scapegoat, but as a hero. His calm leadership, precise kicking and control around the ruck helped steer Brisbane back into the contest. When the final siren sounded the emotion on his face said it all. It was redemption, pure and powerful. 

The scenes at Suncorp Stadium, the Caxton Street strip and beyond were electric. Horns blared, fans in maroon and gold poured into the streets as chants of “Bris-bane, Bris-bane” echoing deep into the night. The city hasn’t celebrated like this since Darren Lockyer lifted the trophy in 2006 and the party looks set to continue all week. 

With a young, talented roster and a culture built on accountability and brotherhood, there’s no reason the Broncos can’t go back-to-back for the first time since their Super League and 1998 double. Players like Walsh, Mam, Carrigan and Haas are only scratching the surface of their potential and with the squad’s chemistry growing stronger each season, the dynasty talk feels less like hype and more like destiny. 

As Brisbane basks in the glory of yet another sporting triumph, one thing is clear: this is Queensland’s time. From the Lions’ AFL brilliance to the Broncos’ double dose of NRL success and another Origin series in the bag, Brisbane has officially certified itself as Australia’s sporting capital.