Beaten but unbowed: Broncos primed to flick switch in GF rematch

Two games, two losses, one unwanted record, zero panic.

That’s the tale of the tape for premiers Brisbane after an underwhelming start to their title defence against the Panthers and Eels.

After being blanked 26-0 by Ivan Cleary’s men in Round 1, the Broncos found their attacking mojo in Round 2 but fell apart defensively in a 40-32 loss to Parramatta.

That tally of 66 points in the ‘against’ column is the most conceded by a defending premier in the opening two rounds of the following season, surpassing the 62 given up by 1986 champs Parramatta in 1987 and also by 1969 premiers Balmain in 1970.

Neither of those teams went on to play finals but more recent history suggests the Broncos can get back on track and mount a strong defence of their title.

Exhibit A is 2024 premiers the Panthers, who gave up 60 points in the opening two rounds last year and a month into the season were sitting 1-4 with a whopping 140 points conceded.

Come September and the Panthers had recovered to finish seventh with a 13-10 record and progressed to the preliminary final, their sluggish start nothing but a distant memory.

If the Broncos are to turn the tide and silence the outside noise it needs to start at AAMI Park on Friday, a ground that has been less than kind to them in recent years.

The past nine clashes at the Storm’s fortress have delivered wins for the home side with Brisbane’s last success coming in Round 25, 2016 when Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford orchestrated a 26-16 triumph.

When the Broncos headed south in Round 23 last year they could scarcely have imagined the disaster that awaited them as their tally of hamstring injuries was higher than their points tally.

As if the 26-2 scoreline wasn’t chastening enough, they lost Adam Reynolds, Selwyn Cobbo and Ezra Mam to hamstrings that night, but still managed to go on a remarkable run of seven unbeaten games all the way to their first premiership in 19 years.

“That Storm game last year at AAMI Park was a weird one but we bounced back from that and it will be good to go down there and show everyone where we want to get our season started,” said Mam, who missed five games before returning for emotion-charged preliminary final win over the Panthers.

“We know we have the footy in us but we know we have to flick the switch mentally.

“Everything is pretty calm at the moment and we have a long season ahead to fine tune things.

“It’s not a sprint it’s a marathon and you’re not always going to start the way you want to finish."

In stark contrast, the Storm head into the grand final rematch on a roll after wins over the Eels and Dragons, racking up 98 points in the process and unleashing the freakish skills of fullback Sua Fa'alogo, who has crossed for five tries and run for 357 metres.

In the NRL’s Multicultural Round, Fa'alogo will represent his Samoan heritage with pride as he looks to continue his sizzling start to 2026.

After moving to Melbourne from Samoa as a nine-year-old, Fa'alogo learned his craft at the Northern Thunder and is just the fifth local product to represent the Storm in their 28-year history.

His showdown with Clive Churchill Medal winner Reece Walsh is one of many to savour as last year’s grand finalists renew acquaintances in Melbourne.

If the Storm need any extra inspiration they can take a look back at Round 3, 2025 when they rolled the Panthers 30-24 in the rematch of the '24 grand final.

And in 2024 it was the Panthers dominating the Broncos 34-12 in the rematch of the memorable 2023 decider.

Any way you slice and dice it, Friday’s showdown between two modern-day giants is one not to be missed.

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