Overview
- Melbourne and Brisbane meet Sunday night at Accor Stadium, with most analysts and season-long data installing the Storm as favourites after superior attack and defence metrics.
- Brisbane arrive on a six-game surge built on late comebacks, with stars Reece Walsh and Payne Haas central to their threat and Patrick Carrigan returning to bolster the pack.
- Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu labelled some Broncos players “stuck up” and vowed to “run over” them, while coach Michael Maguire said the remarks will not distract his side as both teams were jeered and cheered at fan day.
- Analysts highlight whistle control around the ruck and offside, limiting Walsh’s late-game impact, testing Hughes’ body after his recent injury, veteran halves management, and the middle-third battle as swing factors, with nighttime conditions also raised as a variable.
- The NRLW decider pits the unbeaten Roosters against the Broncos with Tamika Upton in record form, as the NRL confirms the men’s grand final will return to Sydney in 2026 under a new one-year deal.