Ben Hunt’s Golden Point Heroics: Broncos Edge Raiders 29-28 in NRL’s Greatest Ever Final
In one of the most heart-stopping NRL finals in history, Ben Hunt’s 40-metre field goal in the 94th minute sealed a dramatic 29-28 golden-point victory for the Brisbane Broncos over the Canberra Raiders on September 14, 2025, at GIO Stadium. The win catapults the Broncos into a preliminary final next week, while the minor premiers Raiders face an elimination battle against the Cronulla Sharks. Hunt’s ice-cool boot, just seconds after a controversial no-try call on Jamal Fogarty, capped a stunning 17-point comeback that will be etched in rugby league lore.
A Chaotic Epic: From Sin-Bin Carnage to Golden Point Drama
The qualifying final was pure finals football—brutal, brilliant, and breathless. The Raiders raced to an 18-12 halftime lead, capitalizing on Brisbane’s ill-discipline. Reece Walsh and captain Pat Carrigan were both sin-binned in a fiery second half, leaving the Broncos with 11 men and trailing 28-12 at one point. Walsh’s head clash with Hudson Young sparked the chaos, drawing a reckless tackle penalty, while Carrigan’s shoulder charge on Morgan Smithies followed suit—both facing judiciary scrutiny that could sideline them for the prelims.
But Brisbane’s never-say-die spirit ignited. Walsh, back from the bin, masterminded the rally with a 40-20, a try assist to Deine Mariner, and his own score, plus a penalty goal to force extra time. Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, and Josiah Karapani crossed for tries, with Walsh converting three to level at 28-28 after 80 minutes.
Extra time yielded no points, pushing the thriller to golden point. Raiders halfback Fogarty thought he’d won it with a try, but the bunker ruled a knock-on by Jed Stuart in the build-up, handing possession back to Brisbane. From 30 metres out, Hunt stepped up, faking a cut-out pass before drilling the field goal through the uprights—his first in a grand final since 2015. “I got nervous after I put my hands up,” Hunt admitted post-match, mobbed by teammates in euphoric scenes.
Key Performers: Walsh’s Magic and Hunt’s Clutch
Reece Walsh was the game’s talisman, earning Man of the Match honors despite the sin-bin drama. The fullback scored a try, assisted two, nailed a 40-20, and kicked a crucial penalty to force extras—his “blistering” display inspired the comeback, per Nine’s Andrew Johns. “Walsh is the ultimate pantomime villain—he brings the madness,” Johns quipped.
Hunt, 35 and in his 350th NRL game, was the hero, his field goal a poise-under-pressure masterstroke. “Ben Hunt is the hero!” Nine’s broadcast roared. For the Raiders, Fogarty was superb (two conversions, a penalty), but his missed field goal and the no-try call haunted them. Kaeo Weekes shone with two tries, but errors (17 total) proved costly.
Full-Time Stats: A Shootout of Errors and Brilliance
| Category | Broncos | Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 57% | 43% |
| Completion Rate | 80% (44/55) | 74% (32/43) |
| Errors | 12 | 17 |
| Penalties | 5 | 5 |
| Tries | 5 | 4 |
| Conversions | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Field Goals | 1/1 | 0/1 |
Brisbane’s bench impact (e.g., Brendan Piakura’s runs) outshone Canberra’s, turning a 16-point deficit into glory.
Coach Reactions: Praise for Grit, Warnings on Discipline
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold lauded the “never-give-up attitude,” calling it “the greatest final ever.” “Hunt’s boot was ice-cold—pure finals footy.” But he cautioned on judiciary risks: Walsh and Carrigan face Grade 1 charges, potentially missing the prelims against the Sharks or Panthers.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was gutted: “We blew it—16 points up, and errors killed us.” Fogarty’s no-try “could have won it,” but Stuart backed his halfback. Now, Canberra hosts the Sharks in an elimination semi, their minor premiership dreams shattered.
Fan Frenzy: “Greatest Final Ever” Goes Viral
Social media exploded—#NRLFinals trended with 500,000 posts, fans dubbing it “the greatest final ever.” Walsh’s sin-bin antics drew memes (“Reece: Villain by day, hero by night”), while Hunt’s boot sparked “Legend” tributes. On Reddit’s r/nrl, a thread hit 10,000 upvotes: “Hunt’s field goal > 1997 Super League Grand Final.”
GIO Stadium’s 25,000 sellout crowd was electric—Broncos pockets erupted, Raiders fans stunned silent. Andrew Johns called it “spell-binding,” Mat Thompson “heart rate through the roof.”
What’s Next: Prelims and Judiciary Drama
Brisbane earns a week off, facing the winner of Sharks vs. Raiders in a prelim on September 21. A Canterbury-Penrith semi looms in Sydney. The judiciary meets Tuesday—Walsh and Carrigan’s bans could test depth, with Kotoni Staggs or Selwyn Cobbo stepping up.
For the Raiders, it’s do-or-die against Cronulla—win, and they host a prelim; lose, and their season ends.
Conclusion: A Classic for the Ages
Ben Hunt’s golden-point dagger turned heartbreak into history, sending the Broncos marching on in an all-time classic. From sin-bin madness to Walsh’s wizardry, this 29-28 thriller redefined NRL finals drama. As Hunt said, “Nervous? Yeah—but worth it.” Brisbane dreams of Accor Stadium; Canberra fights for survival. What a way to kick off Finals Week 1—rugby league at its raw, roaring best.