SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th, 2025. Suncorp Stadium, 4.05pm.
Panthers’ Dynasty Dreams Collide with Broncos’ Longing for Redemption at Suncorp
Eighty minutes. That’s all that separates the Panthers from a sixth straight grand final—and the chance to etch a near-mythical five-peat into rugby league history.
But standing in their path is a Broncos side driven by ghosts of 2023, determined to avenge their grand final heartbreak and deliver Red Hill its first title in 19 long years.
Sunday’s clash has all the makings of an epic. From the dazzling footwork of Reece Walsh and the relentless reliability of Dylan Edwards, to the strike power of Kotoni Staggs and Izack Tago, and the sheer muscle of Payne Haas and Moses Leota—the match-ups alone promise fireworks.
The Panthers’ journey this season has been far from smooth. When they brushed aside the Broncos 32-8 at Magic Round, it was a rare bright spark in a nightmare opening. By Round 12, the three-time reigning premiers had plunged to the bottom of the ladder. Yet champions don’t crumble—they regroup. Nine straight wins later, Ivan Cleary’s men look to be hitting their stride when it matters most.
And yet, this will be no ordinary contest. The Broncos have turned Suncorp Stadium into a fortress in 2025, winning 10 of 14 games in front of their home faithful. On Sunday, 50,000 voices will roar inside The Cauldron, every cheer, every gasp, every heartbeat driving Kevin Walters’ men closer to glory.
The return of captain Adam Reynolds from injury adds a steady hand to the wheel, while Ezra Mam injects flair off the bench. Ben Hunt shifts back into the halves following Billy Walters’ devastating ACL blow, Tyson Smoothy takes over at lock with Pat Carrigan suspended, and Selwyn Cobbo waits in the wings after proving his fitness in the Queensland Cup.
For the Panthers, the prize is legacy. For the Broncos, it’s redemption. When the siren sounds on Sunday, one powerhouse will move on to the grandest stage of all—while the other is left with nothing but regret.
Broncos:
1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas , 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Tyson Smoothy Bench: 14. Ezra Mam , 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Ben Talty Reserves: 18. Jesse Arthars , 19. Jack Gosiewski 20. Selwyn Cobbo 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Jock Madden.
Panthers at Full Strength and Primed for History
The defending premiers enter Sunday’s showdown with no injury clouds and no changes to their battle-hardened lineup—just 80 minutes from a sixth consecutive grand final appearance.
Liam Martin has shaken off rib troubles, Casey McLean’s hip is sound, and hooker Mitch Kenny looks stronger for the 58 minutes he logged in his return from a hamstring injury last week. The Panthers’ machine is humming, fully loaded, and perfectly timed.
And then there are the numbers—figures that speak to the aura of this side in September. Brian To’o, the smiling assassin on the wing, has crossed 17 times in 17 finals appearances. Nathan Cleary, the calm conductor, carries an astonishing record of 26 straight wins in daytime games.
The message is clear: Penrith are healthy, confident, and ready. The dynasty is alive, and destiny beckons.
Panthers:
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o, 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith , 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry, 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Luke Garner Reserves: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Matt Eisenhuth , 20. Thomas Jenkins 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Luke Sommerton.
Key Stats
The Broncos have won nine of their past 10 finals matches at Suncorp Stadium.
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has won his last 26 daytime games.
The Broncos have scored 128 points in their last three games at Suncorp Stadium.
Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 17 tries in 17 finals games.
Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has scored six tries in his last five games.
Shame they could not find a decent ref for this contest.
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins ,Touch Judges, Matt Noyen, David Munro, Bunker: Chris Butler.
Broncos’ Revenge Mission Meets Panthers’ Relentless Pursuit of Greatness
The Broncos arrive refreshed, having banked a vital week’s rest after surviving a 95-minute epic against the Raiders. And with Adam Reynolds back to steer the ship, they step into a contest dripping with history—the replay of the 2023 grand final. That night still haunts them, the memory of Nathan Cleary tearing the game away in the dying stages, the premiership trophy slipping through their fingers. The scar has never faded, and the fire it left behind still burns.
Reece Walsh was electric in the Raiders clash, dazzling with every touch, and Brisbane will need every spark of his brilliance if they are to pierce Penrith’s famously unyielding defence again and again.
But the Panthers look every bit the ruthless juggernaut. Last week against the Bulldogs, they were clinical—six tries in the opening 40 minutes, built on a flawless 100% completion rate, their defence smothering, their attack merciless. By halftime, it was 36-8, and the game was gone. Even when they eased the pressure in the second half, they never lost command. When Penrith are at their best for 80 minutes, no team in the NRL can live with them.
The challenge for Brisbane is monumental. They must play near-perfect football, disrupt the Panthers’ rhythm, and feed off every ounce of energy at Suncorp. Anything less, and Penrith will march into a sixth straight decider.
Still—loyalty runs deep. The task may be immense, but as a Queenslander, I could never turn my back on the Broncos. Not now, not ever.
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