Veteran halfback Adam Reynolds and star fullback Reece Walsh delivered a stirring performance to inspire the Brisbane Broncos to a dramatic 34-28 comeback victory over the Cronulla Sharks at Suncorp Stadium in Round 16 of the NRL Premiership.
Trailing 28-12 early in the second half, the Broncos stormed home with four unanswered tries, capped by a moment of brilliance from the recently re-signed Reynolds and a decisive break by Walsh, who was under an injury cloud before kickoff.
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Despite visible discomfort during the warm-up and needing extra strapping for a nagging knee issue, Walsh was outstanding, contributing two try assists and 151 running metres. The 21-year-old fullback showed grit and class, pushing his case for a recall to the Maroons for State of Origin Game III, despite ongoing concerns over his PCL injury.
Reynolds, who this week confirmed he will finish his career with Brisbane after signing a one-year extension, took charge in the critical moments. With the game poised at 28-24 in the 67th minute, he conjured a brilliant cut-out pass under pressure to send Josiah Karapani over in the corner, then nailed the sideline conversion to give the Broncos the lead. Just minutes later, Walsh broke free at halfway to set up Gehamat Shibasaki’s second try and seal the win.
The Sharks were left ruing another second-half collapse in a season marked by inconsistency. After racing to a 22-6 lead, Cronulla fell apart through ill-discipline and errors — including a crucial sin-bin to winger Sione Katoa just before halftime for tripping. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon expressed frustration post-match, lamenting his side’s inability to do the “hard things” under pressure.
The win lifts the Broncos further into finals contention, while the Sharks remain in the top eight but continue to underwhelm, showing flashes of quality without consistency.
With Origin III selection looming, Walsh’s form could force Queensland coach Billy Slater into a tough decision, especially given incumbent Kalyn Ponga’s quieter performances. If Walsh proves his fitness, he may be impossible to ignore for the decider.
The Broncos next face a confident Roosters outfit, while the Sharks will look to rebound against the Eels.
