Brisbane Broncos End Penrith Panthers Five-Year NRL Dynasty with Comeback Win

The Brisbane Broncos delivered a stunning comeback to defeat the Penrith Panthers 16-14 in the NRL preliminary final, ending Penrith’s quest for a fifth consecutive grand final appearance. Trailing 14-0 at halftime, Brisbane rallied in the second half, with key plays from captain Adam Reynolds, who kicked the winning sideline conversion, and fullback Reece Walsh, who set up the decisive try for winger Deine Mariner. The Broncos’ victory marks their 12th win in 14 matches and sets up a grand final showdown against the Melbourne Storm. Penrith dominated early but could not maintain their lead against Brisbane’s relentless second-half surge, which included crucial defensive stops and tries from Xavier Willison and Kotoni Staggs. The win is seen as a redemption for Reynolds, who overcame a hamstring injury and previous grand final misses against Penrith. Brisbane’s resurgence under coach Michael Maguire has transformed their season, proving their resilience and ability to overturn significant deficits in critical matches.