Brisbane’s rise through the NRL ranks in the 2025 season has been one of the more intriguing narratives in a campaign riddled with inconsistency, lopsided contests, and bold statements from emerging stars. One such declaration came emphatically from the electric fullback Reece Walsh, who didn’t just return to form on Thursday night—he reignited the Broncos’ finals hopes with a display that was equal parts brilliance and brutality. The 60-4 annihilation of the Dragons wasn’t just a routine bounce-back; it was a message. A message to the top four, a message to rivals doubting Brisbane’s credentials, and a message to any who might have questioned the young fullback’s ability to handle pressure and carry a side forward. It was also a timely reminder of just how dangerous the Broncos can be when their spine clicks.
Walsh’s fingerprints were all over the destruction. He had four try assists, two line breaks, and left defenders flailing with his trademark acceleration and change of direction. His influence was so commanding that even the Dragons faithful could only grimace in acknowledgment. This was not just a polished performance—it was a performance of authority. For a player whose temperament has sometimes been questioned, particularly in high-stakes encounters, this was a masterclass in controlled aggression and sharp execution. His combination with Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds looked crisp, intuitive, and purposeful. Each sweeping movement to the left edge screamed danger, with Walsh timing his passes to perfection and often drawing in multiple defenders before releasing the ball with surgical precision.
Brisbane’s surge couldn’t have come at a better time. With the finals around the corner and only a few regular-season games left, positioning within the top four is more critical than ever. A top-four berth doesn’t just provide a second chance in the finals series; it’s a psychological edge, a foothold from which premiership campaigns are often launched. What the Broncos displayed at Suncorp Stadium was not just points on a scoreboard—it was a blueprint for how they could potentially go deep into September. Their forward pack laid the groundwork early. Payne Haas, as always, was the enforcer. His early carries set the tone, punching through the Dragons’ line with the kind of relentlessness that wears down opponents. Patrick Carrigan was no less influential, orchestrating the middle-third like a seasoned conductor. Their combined presence allowed Walsh the room to roam and wreak havoc.
But what truly elevated this performance was the return of Brisbane’s defensive intensity. For all their attacking firepower, the Broncos have been prone to lapses in concentration, often giving up soft tries or failing to defend in transition. Not on this night. Their line speed suffocated the Dragons, while their scramble defense was sharp and reactive. Whenever the Dragons looked remotely dangerous, there was always a Broncos jersey getting between them and the try line. For Kevin Walters, this was the kind of holistic performance he’s been chasing all year. The fluidity in attack coupled with that defensive resolve suggests a side finally harmonizing its two key components.
And then there’s the deeper storyline emerging from this game—not about Brisbane, but about the Dragons and Wayne Bennett’s return to coaching. The narrative couldn’t be more contrasting. While Brisbane ascends, the Dragons spiral into an abyss. Thursday’s 60-point bloodbath wasn’t just another loss—it was an unraveling. A team that began the year with hopes of renewal under Bennett’s legendary tutelage has crumbled in spectacular fashion. Now, after 21 rounds, spoon fears are no longer speculative—they’re tangible, perhaps even inevitable. For Bennett, a figure synonymous with Brisbane’s golden eras and revered across the league, this campaign is turning into a nightmarish chapter. The side looked directionless, flat, and completely devoid of urgency or pride. Their defensive line leaked like a sieve, and in attack, they barely threatened to ask any real questions of the Broncos.
To compound matters, the Dragons’ spine—supposedly the key area of transformation under Bennett—has looked disjointed. Ben Hunt, who has so often carried this club, appeared disinterested and sluggish. Tyrell Sloan was virtually anonymous. There was no spark, no resilience, and worst of all, no accountability. The Dragons aren’t just losing—they’re capitulating. With three games remaining and only a single win in their last ten outings, the specter of the wooden spoon looms large. What’s even more troubling is the absence of a clear pathway forward. Bennett’s return was meant to stabilize, to build a culture and reinstate the fundamentals. Yet what’s unfolded has been an identity crisis wrapped in chaos. Even the most ardent supporters are questioning the viability of this rebuild, especially given the lack of youth development and coherent recruitment.
In contrast, Brisbane’s rebuild over the past few years now appears close to complete. From the ashes of their own wooden spoon in 2020, the Broncos have methodically restructured the club. The spine is young but explosive. The forward pack is world-class. And most importantly, the club culture has returned to its high-performing roots. Where once the Broncos were viewed as a cautionary tale, now they are seen as a model for long-term recovery. Part of that credit has to go to the players buying into Walters’ system. Mam, Walsh, and even younger squad members like Deine Mariner and Brendan Piakura are playing with confidence and purpose. The communication between backs and forwards is clicking, and discipline—an Achilles heel in past seasons—has notably improved.
What happens next could be season-defining. With just weeks left in the regular season, the Broncos are now firmly within striking distance of the top four. Their remaining fixtures, while challenging, are winnable if they maintain the form and intensity shown against the Dragons. More importantly, the cohesion within their key players looks to be peaking at exactly the right time. Reece Walsh, who missed parts of the season through injury and suspension, is now arguably playing his best football since arriving at Red Hill. This version of Walsh—calculated, electrifying, and mature—makes Brisbane a legitimate contender.
Meanwhile, the pressure on Wayne Bennett is reaching boiling point. The NRL world has long admired the coaching wizardry of Bennett, but even his staunchest supporters are beginning to acknowledge the extent of the mess in Wollongong. There are whispers around the league that his methods may no longer translate in the modern game, or that this particular roster is too broken to fix. Either way, the contrast between his former club’s dominance and his current team’s demise paints a harsh picture. Brisbane’s demolition job wasn’t just a win—it was an indictment.
There were also other storylines woven into the result. The post-match comments from Adam Reynolds suggested a belief within the camp that this side is ready for a serious run. His leadership has often flown under the radar, but internally, his game management and calming presence continue to be invaluable. He may not possess the flare of Walsh or the acceleration of Mam, but his ability to control tempo and execute under pressure cannot be overstated. In big games, it’s often the steady hand that dictates the outcome. Reynolds is that hand.
Another point worth noting is how the Broncos have dealt with adversity. Injuries, suspensions, and criticism have followed them all year. Yet they’ve emerged hardened, battle-tested, and seemingly unfazed. That internal steel is often what separates contenders from pretenders. As teams like Melbourne and Penrith deal with form fluctuations and key absences, Brisbane is quietly rising with momentum and purpose. The looming finals series promises to test every facet of their game, but this latest performance shows they’ve got more than just raw talent—they have composure and unity.
Dragons fans, meanwhile, are left to reflect on yet another performance devoid of character. Calls for a front-office shakeup are growing louder. Questions are being raised about recruitment, development, and whether the club is truly backing Bennett with the tools required to succeed. At 74, Bennett won’t have endless seasons left. If this project is to work, something dramatic needs to change—and fast.
Thursday’s game served as both prophecy and punctuation. For Brisbane, it was a prophecy fulfilled—a team many expected to challenge is finally roaring. For the Dragons, it was punctuation—a brutal full stop to any remaining illusions about their season’s trajectory. Whether it was a turning point or merely a peak moment remains to be seen. But what is undeniable is that Reece Walsh and the Broncos delivered one of the most dominant statements of the year.
If they keep this form rolling, the top four is not just reachable—it’s likely. And once there, few would bet against them tearing through the finals the way they tore through the hapless Dragons. In a league built on moments and momentum, Brisbane just seized both.
