The Broncos scored their first try before Melbourne touched the ball, with Harry Grant giving up a yardage penalty in the first set before Reece Walsh sent Deine Mariner over on the right wing. But the blistering start was stymied when Gehamat Shibasaki fumbled the ball into Will Warbrick on the left side. Only a minute later, the Storm rolled upfield and put on a set play that helped Nick Meaney dart over. Melbourne then charged to a 22-12 half-time lead.
*BRONCOS BACK IN THE GAME
Brisbane needed to be first to score in the second half. Storm prop Tui Kamikamica looked to have touched down from Cameron Munster's kick only three minutes after the break. But replays showed fullback Reece Walsh did just enough with his tackle to force the big man to spill the ball. Only a minute later, the Broncos were gifted field position of their own when Ryan Papenhuyzen fumbled a kick, with Ezra Mam putting Shibasaki over on the left side to close the gap to six points.
*REYNOLDS INJURY
Adam Reynolds' hopes of atoning for the 2021 and 2023 grand final losses, with South Sydney and Brisbane respectively, took a hit when he injured his hamstring chasing his own kick in the minutes after halftime. The veteran halfback had only returned from a hamstring injury last week and signalled for a trainer, needing to be assisted the long way around the field to come off.
*WALSH GETS LEAD BACK
With his team's star halfback out of the game, Walsh stepped up and shifted the attack right on the last tackle to put Mariner over for a second try. Only minutes later, Walsh's break down the right side helped the Broncos roll forward and help Shibasaki to a second try. The Broncos had their first lead since the opening minutes.
*PAPENHUYZEN BOTTLES BRILLIANT CHANCE
With the Storm behind by four points and the final 10 minutes approaching, Ryan Papenhuyzen dummied past Brendan Piakura and tore through the backfield off a scrum play. Walsh was bearing down in cover defence so Papenhuyzen attempted to flick inside to Will Warbrick, who had space, but the pass did not connect.
*HUNT OFF WITH CONCUSSION
When Ben Hunt's head collected the leg of Storm forward Ativalu Lisati, the Broncos lost their other starting half with the result still in the balance in the final 10 minutes. The 35-year-old cut a dejected figure leaving the field, having moved back to the Broncos this year in hope of winning the premiership that eluded him in 2015.
*COATES BUNDLED INTO TOUCH
Down by four points, Melbourne had a golden opportunity to snatch victory in the final three minutes with repeat sets in the red zone. But as the Storm shifted the ball left, Mariner and Kotoni Staggs bundled Xavier Coates over the sideline only metres from the tryline.
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