Jahrome Hughes’ Suspected Broken Wrist Overshadows Reece Walsh’s Brilliance as Brisbane Storms into NRL Top Four
In a pulsating NRL Round 27 showdown at Suncorp Stadium on September 4, 2025, the Brisbane Broncos delivered a commanding 30-14 victory over the Melbourne Storm, securing a top-four finish and a double chance in the finals. However, the triumph was marred by a devastating injury to Melbourne’s star halfback Jahrome Hughes, who suffered a suspected broken wrist in his return match, casting a shadow over the Storm’s premiership aspirations. Meanwhile, Brisbane’s Reece Walsh electrified the sold-out crowd, scoring 22 points in a career-defining performance that propelled his team into a qualifying final against Canberra.
A Devastating Blow for Melbourne
Jahrome Hughes, the 2024 Dally M Medalist, made his comeback after a five-week absence due to a shoulder injury, only to face a potentially season-ending setback. In the 25th minute, while attempting to tackle Broncos forward Brendan Piakura, Hughes crumpled in pain, clutching his left wrist. He left the field and was replaced by Tyran Wishart, with medical staff later applying plaster to his arm. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy delivered a grim update post-match: “It’s almost certainly a broken wrist or forearm. He’s in plaster now, and I’d imagine it’s season-ending.” The injury leaves the Storm, who finished second on the ladder, facing a precarious finals campaign without their chief playmaker.
The Storm’s challenges compounded when prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona was sin-binned and placed on report for a high tackle on Brisbane’s Ben Talty. Facing a potential three-match ban due to prior offenses, Asofa-Solomona’s absence could further weaken Melbourne’s forward pack. Despite tries from Eliesa Katoa, Will Warbrick, and Nick Meaney, the Storm struggled to match Brisbane’s intensity, suffering rare consecutive losses heading into their qualifying final against the Bulldogs.
Reece Walsh’s Dazzling Display
Brisbane’s victory was powered by fullback Reece Walsh, who shrugged off a week of off-field controversy—dubbed “Toiletgate” after a social media stunt involving drinking from an unused toilet bowl—to deliver a masterclass. Walsh scored two tries, kicked seven goals for 22 points, and executed a game-changing 40/20 kick, earning high praise from coach Michael Maguire: “Reece answered all questions tonight. He’s a competitor, and that 40/20 showed his class.” Walsh’s 134 run meters, five tackle breaks, and a try assist underscored his dominance, silencing critics and cementing his status as a finals X-factor.
The Broncos’ disciplined performance saw them complete 21 of 22 sets at 95% in the first half, with standout efforts from Billy Walters (36 tackles) and Pat Carrigan (114 meters, 36 tackles). Winger Josiah Karapani sealed the 30-14 scoreline with a try in the final minute, sending the 40,000-strong Suncorp crowd into raptures. The win marked Brisbane’s ninth victory in their last 11 matches, a stark turnaround from their mid-season struggles.
Background: A Rivalry and a Resurgence
The Brisbane-Melbourne rivalry has historically favored the Storm, who had won 17 of their last 19 encounters before this match. Brisbane’s breakthrough victory, only their second against Melbourne in nearly two decades, highlights their late-season surge under Maguire’s leadership. The team overcame off-field distractions, including the axing of center Gehamat Shibasaki for disciplinary reasons, to secure a top-four spot—a feat that seemed unlikely after a 7-7 record earlier in 2025.
Melbourne, meanwhile, has been plagued by injuries to key players. Hughes’ absence earlier in the season due to a dislocated shoulder and neck issue tested their depth, and his latest injury adds pressure on Tyran Wishart and Ryan Papenhuyzen to steer the team through the finals. The Storm’s physical approach, exemplified by Asofa-Solomona’s tackle, also risks further disciplinary scrutiny, with the NRL Judiciary set to review the incident.
Impact and Next Steps
Hughes’ suspected broken wrist is a devastating blow for Melbourne, who now face a daunting path to their first premiership since 2020. “Losing Jahrome is massive,” said Fox League analyst Greg Alexander. “The Storm are a different team without him, and it’s a huge test for their depth.” Their qualifying final against the Bulldogs at AAMI Park will rely heavily on Papenhuyzen’s playmaking and Cameron Munster’s leadership to fill the void.
For Brisbane, the win cements their status as a genuine title contender. Their qualifying final against the Canberra Raiders, who clinched the minor premiership, revives a 1990s rivalry and promises a fierce battle. Canberra’s push for a Sunday fixture could give them extra preparation time, but Brisbane’s momentum—fueled by Walsh’s brilliance and a robust forward pack led by Payne Haas—makes them a formidable opponent.
The NRL will finalize the finals schedule within days, with Brisbane likely traveling to Canberra for a Saturday or Sunday clash. Fans and analysts alike are buzzing on X, with posts praising Walsh’s “generational talent” and lamenting Melbourne’s injury woes as a potential turning point in the 2025 season.
Conclusion
Brisbane’s 30-14 rout of Melbourne, powered by Reece Walsh’s 22-point heroics, has secured a top-four finish and a shot at finals glory, but the night’s defining moment was Jahrome Hughes’ suspected broken wrist, a crushing blow to the Storm’s premiership hopes. As Brisbane prepares to face Canberra and Melbourne scrambles to regroup, this Round 27 thriller sets the stage for a dramatic NRL finals series, with both teams’ fortunes hanging in the balance.