NRL SHOCK: Brisbane Broncos’ Finals Dreams in Jeopardy After Nightmare Night Against Storm
Brisbane’s premiership push has been thrown into chaos after a nightmare night at AAMI Park saw three of their biggest stars — Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam, and Selwyn Cobbo — limp off the field in the same match against the Melbourne Storm. The Broncos were dismantled 22-2 on Thursday night, but it wasn’t just the scoreline that stunned fans — it was the brutal toll taken on the team’s spine and morale.
The chaos began midway through the first half when Melbourne’s Xavier Coates intercepted a pass and sprinted toward the try line, seemingly destined for a spectacular long-range score. However, Selwyn Cobbo chased him down in a desperate effort and managed a try-saving tackle just before the line. But as the action focused on Coates and Cobbo, something troubling was happening in the background.
Veteran halfback Adam Reynolds, chasing Coates alongside others, suddenly pulled up and grabbed at his hamstring. He immediately exited the field, heading straight down the tunnel in visible discomfort. As if that wasn’t alarming enough for Brisbane, just seconds later cameras caught five-eighth Ezra Mam on the ground, also clutching at his leg.
“This is extraordinary,” said Nine commentator Mat Thompson. “I’ve never seen that — two halves down on the same play with the same injury.”
Mam tried to continue but eventually followed Reynolds into the sheds. Sideline reporter Danika Mason later confirmed both had suffered hamstring injuries and were ruled out for the rest of the match. Their availability for the remainder of the season is now a major concern, and Andrew Johns didn’t mince words about the potential impact.
“When you’re chasing a premiership, you need a bit of luck. Adam Reynolds, at his age — I’d be surprised if he plays again this year,” Johns said.
And the bad news didn’t end there.
Later in the half, Selwyn Cobbo — the same player who’d made the heroic try-saving effort — was spotted limping and receiving assistance from trainers. Though he managed to stay on the field for a time, it was evident he wasn’t at full fitness.
Meanwhile, Melbourne showed no mercy. They built a 12-2 lead at halftime with tries from halfback Tyran Wishart and returning star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who continues to be a game-changer for the Storm. Their fast-paced, clinical performance only amplified Brisbane’s woes.
Controversy struck early in the second half when Nick Meaney appeared to have scored following a short dropout from Brisbane’s Ben Hunt. However, replays revealed the ball had bounced off Meaney and into Reece Walsh’s hands, prompting the Bunker to overturn the try. While Billy Slater supported the decision, not everyone was on board.
Andrew Johns criticized the process, saying, “Just show it in real-time. Don’t overcomplicate it — get Sherlock Holmes out of the Bunker and just play on.”
Even though the call briefly interrupted Melbourne’s momentum, it didn’t slow them down for long. Hooker Harry Grant — in red-hot form — ignited the Storm’s next attacking set by darting from dummy-half and throwing a superb cut-out pass to Coates, who dived over in the corner for his first try of the night.
“He is just on another planet,” Johns said in admiration of Grant’s vision and execution.
As the match wore on, things only worsened for the Broncos. Jack Gosiewski found himself in hot water late in the game after raising his elbow into the throat of Cameron Munster. Though it was penalized, Johns hinted that Munster might have added a touch of dramatics to draw the referee’s attention.
Then, with only minutes remaining, Coates was awarded a penalty try after being impeded illegally on his way to the line — stretching Melbourne’s lead to 22-2 and officially slamming the door shut on any hopes of a late Brisbane comeback.
But the true heartbreak came with three minutes to go when Selwyn Cobbo — who had pushed through pain earlier — suddenly collapsed to the turf. Trainers rushed in and had to carry him off the field. It was later confirmed that Cobbo had suffered a hamstring injury as well, making it a trifecta of devastation for the Broncos: Reynolds, Mam, and now Cobbo all sidelined in one catastrophic outing.
“This has become an absolute nightmare,” Thompson declared as the camera showed a dejected Cobbo being helped off the pitch.
Adding insult to injury, young gun Deine Mariner was denied a late try that could’ve given Brisbane at least a minor morale boost. The disallowed effort summed up the Broncos’ evening — one filled with frustration, pain, and more questions than answers.
The loss drops Brisbane further down the ladder and raises serious doubts about their ability to compete in the finals. With Reynolds likely out for the season and Mam and Cobbo facing uncertain timelines for return, coach Kevin Walters has a massive headache on his hands. The chemistry and structure of the team have been dealt a significant blow, and the timing couldn’t be worse with the finals just around the corner.
Meanwhile, Melbourne’s statement win solidifies their place inside the top four and serves as a reminder that they’re still one of the league’s elite clubs. Papenhuyzen’s return has been a major boost, and with Harry Grant playing at an elite level, the Storm’s spine looks primed for a deep finals run.
For Brisbane, however, Thursday night’s disaster will be hard to forget. What began as a regular clash turned into a full-blown injury crisis, the kind that could derail an entire season.
The Broncos faithful will now anxiously await updates on their stars. But one thing is clear — the road to the premiership just got a whole lot tougher for Brisbane.
