Canberra’s fairytale run in the 2025 NRL finals was cut short in devastating fashion as Reece Walsh inspired a remarkable Brisbane Broncos comeback, shattering the hopes of a youthful Raiders squad in one of the most dramatic finals encounters in recent memory.
The clash at a sold-out GIO Stadium had everything – controversy, explosive tries, late drama, and the cruel swings of momentum that make finals football unforgettable. For a Raiders team built on youthful enthusiasm and energy, it was a lesson in the unforgiving nature of knockout football.
Youthful Raiders show fearlessness in high-stakes battle
Seven of Canberra’s 17-man lineup were tasting finals football for the first time, a fact that only amplified the remarkable intensity they brought to the contest. The inexperience was never obvious in the early stages, as 23-year-old fullback Kaeo Weekes and 21-year-old five-eighth Ethan Strange led the way with fearless play.
Weekes crossed for a double, lighting up the stadium with his blistering speed and composure under pressure. Strange, displaying maturity beyond his years, scored a try of his own as the Raiders surged to a commanding 16-point lead in the second half. At that stage, the GIO Stadium faithful dared to believe that their side was on the verge of something special.
The Broncos, seasoned by post-season campaigns and led by a core of representative stars, suddenly looked rattled. But finals football often turns on moments, and when Walsh returned from the sin bin, the game’s narrative shifted dramatically.
Reece Walsh swings the tide
Walsh, who had endured a frustrating start to the match, came alive in the second half, using his electrifying pace and creativity to tear into Canberra’s right-edge defence. In a devastating stretch, he scored or created three tries to drag Brisbane back into the contest.
The Raiders’ advantage evaporated as the Broncos roared back, forcing the game into extra time. It was a cruel turnaround for a Canberra side that had controlled the tempo for much of the evening.
When Walsh lined up a two-point field goal on the final siren, it looked as though the Broncos might steal victory then and there. His attempt was dramatically charged down by Zac Hosking, sending the crowd into ecstasy – only for the video referee to intervene. In a decision that will be debated for weeks, it was ruled that Hosking had made contact with Walsh’s trailing leg, gifting Brisbane a penalty from just 10 metres out.
Raiders denied twice in extra time
The extra-time period delivered even more heartbreak for the home side. Jamal Fogarty looked to have scored the match-winner after Ricky Stuart’s rookie son, Jed, soared to bat back a high ball. Fogarty dived across the line, sparking wild celebrations from the 25,000-strong crowd.
But again, the bunker intervened. Officials ruled that Stuart’s touch had gone forward, overturning the try and silencing the stadium in an instant.
That sense of injustice deepened just a minute later, when Brisbane veteran Ben Hunt produced a moment of calm under immense pressure. From long range, Hunt slotted a drop-kick that clipped the inside of the right upright before sailing over, sealing a stunning 34-32 victory for the Broncos and sending their fans into raptures.
History against Canberra after shattering defeat
For the Raiders, the loss was more than just a result – it was a brutal reminder of how cruel finals football can be. Despite finishing the regular season as one of the league’s standout sides, history suggests the path ahead will be unforgiving.
In the past 18 years, only two top-four teams have recovered from a week-one finals defeat to lift the premiership: North Queensland in 2015 and Penrith in 2021. The Raiders now face a sudden-death semi-final against Cronulla, leaving them with little time to regroup physically or mentally.
Strange, who had been one of the standout performers in green, summed up the mood after the final siren. “It’s a pretty heartbreaking feeling,” he told Channel Nine, struggling to mask his disappointment.
The resilience test begins
Coach Ricky Stuart now faces one of the biggest challenges of his career – rebuilding his side’s confidence in just a matter of days. The youthful spark that carried Canberra this far has not dimmed, but the mental scars of Sunday night’s collapse will test the squad’s resilience like never before.
Jed Stuart, whose crucial effort was denied by the bunker, will need to lean on the support of his teammates and his father to bounce back from what was both a career highlight and lowlight in the span of seconds. Weekes and Strange, while devastated, can take solace in their emergence as future stars of the competition.
Meanwhile, for the Broncos, the win underlined their credentials as genuine premiership contenders. Walsh’s performance reminded everyone of his ability to turn games on their head, while Hunt’s composure in golden point epitomized Brisbane’s experience.
Looking ahead
As Canberra prepares for a must-win clash against the Sharks, the focus will be on whether the young squad can shake off the heartbreak and rise again. Finals football often demands a rapid reset, and Stuart will hope his players can channel the pain of Sunday night into determination rather than despair.
For Brisbane, the victory strengthens their momentum heading deeper into the finals. With Walsh at his electrifying best and their veteran core holding firm, the Broncos have sent a clear warning to the rest of the competition: they are here to play for the title.
In the end, this epic showdown was a story of youth versus experience, hope versus heartbreak, and the brutal beauty of finals football. For Canberra, the scars will linger, but so too will the lessons – and perhaps, in time, this painful defeat will become the foundation of future triumphs.
