As far as the game itself.
I had mixed feelings about the opening exchanges. While I was glad the Broncos got on the board early, I was worried about how soft the penalties were. Storm relish set starts and I knew the pendulum would turn.
I was also frazzled with Mariner tip-toeing down the dead-ball line. Had he gone out I would have spontaneously combusted.
I was livid with Hunt early. I was hopeful that this would be a repeat of the 2008 GF and it would all just come together on the night. Instead Hunt throws a dusty pass and suddenly the Broncos have to do it the hard way.
That irritation quickly transferred to the officials. I expected Melbourne to get their share of calls, 7-2 penalty count in just over twenty minutes, it was beyond ridiculous, especially after all the talk in the build up was the officials staying out of it.
I was especially ticked off with Loiero. He never played it on the mark and at one point gave up the most obvious surrender and then was somehow paid a relatively quick play the ball.
Brisbane got one back when Piakura forced that turn-over on Utoikamanu. Of course Brisbane started getting a few square up calls but it didn't matter because Reynolds and Hunt were going for trick plays which did my head in.
I thought the bench made a nice point of difference. Smoothy back inside to Kobe gave Walsh the impetus to take that Drinkwater type run around the ruck. That gave me flashbacks of '23 and thought the Broncos were back.
Then in a matter of moments, Coates gets another soft penalty, gets away with a knock-on and Hughes pulls a Cleary on our team. My knee-jerk reaction was that Melbourne had just won the game - but this was the Broncos so it wasn't over yet.
Reynolds kicking out on the full is usually a telltale sign that the Broncos are going to get pumped in the second half. Everything went in slow motion when Munster put that kick through and I was absolutely pissed that Atkins initially paid it - knock on all day.
Had to keep my mouth shut when Walsh obviously took out the legs of Paps. Very fortunate there but at least Brisbane took advantage and Shib scored that soft try.
Again I thought Brisbane got lucky with that trip penalty against Grant. It wasn't a conventional tackle and my initial reaction was penalty but he did get a hand on him.
Regardless, Brisbane got the advantage. Refs ignored a pretty obvious head high on Pat but it didn't matter, Paix gives it to Walsh, Coates with some Broncos circa 2019-21 defence leaves his wing open and Brisbane score another soft try.
Then moments later, they're in again. Now I've got 2023 flashbacks and want to see them at least hit 40.
The roll comes to an end and the game takes a dramatic turn. A would be pass from Meaney finds touch but Karapani has to come from the field and at this point I'm livid with the 18th man rules. Arthars should have been allowed to come on, but it is what it is. Then Haas makes an uncharacteristic mistake and like clockwork Papenhuyzen slices through.
I could not believe he tried a Benji flick pass in that situation. Tackle 1, at worst, fend off Walsh and let Warbrick barge over Mam. It was so unlike Melbourne but I wasn't complaining and I knew Brisbane would do well to hang on.
Thought Hunt put in a great kick and the Broncos should have trapped Papenhuyzen inside the in-goal. Instead Carrigan hits him high and stands in the ruck - I think Atkins had to act in that situation. Such a shame because my thought here was that Hunt's kicking game had improved so much compared to what he was dishing up in 2015.
Then he goes down. I still thought Brisbane were worth a go but I felt like I was watching Mission Impossible - what else could possibly go wrong for Brisbane? I felt bad for Hunt but it was a pretty powerful image him trying to get back into line, Walsh catching him and the crowd rising as they called him off the field - he'd done enough all was forgiven.
Storm once again tear through the Broncos left and Brisbane look absolutely shot. The ball finds Utoikamanu and Walsh with absolutely no fear just zeroes in and forces the ball loose. Shiba is racing up field and I think the Broncos are on their way to sealing the game. Absolutely furious when it gets called back for a double knock on. That certainly wasn't Atkins' view but the replay showed that Walsh got a touch on it too.
My view was that the Broncos could not let Melbourne complete their set. They had to force a turn-over, otherwise Melbourne would work towards a kick and I feared it'd lead to a penalty try. When Mariner and co. drove Coates into touch it was a momentary relief, but I remembered 2008 and knew Brisbane had to get to complete their set.
Had flashbacks when Loiero came charging in on Piakura. Fortunately it went awry and I was starting to believe at this point. Thought Haas was about to run all the way at one point and nearly leapt out of my seat. I was so proud that Walsh resisted the cut-out and just played short to Shib on the last.
Brisbane had done everything right, but there had to be another twist in the tale. I was having Origin I '23 flashbacks when Munster turned Staggs inside out, thank god Melbourne didn't have the Hammer outside of him. Championship seconds here, Katoa has the ball, Shib has him...no he doesn't.
Here's Paps! Oh no! Instantly think of Round 23 2006 vs. Melbourne where Hodges took the ball carrier and not the support and hoped to christ Walsh wouldn't make the same mistake. He absolutely nails it but there's still 20 seconds left. Meaney starts buzzing around like Joey in the 97 GF, but throws a hospital pass to Hughes who tries to milk a penalty. Please by all means take time off the clock.
10 seconds left, I'm thinking Munster is going to kick for Coates in the corner for all money. Ball finds Munster but Coates is standing back. Melbourne are running out of time, they're looking confused, they give up their right-side raid, Katoa throws a speculator and Riki rises above everyone.
They can't take it off us, they won't take it off us, the Brisbane Broncos are premiers.
I'm just so emotional my head is playing a medley of songs.
We've got this:
and this
The past 19 years just hit me all at once.
In the wash up of 2023 what stung the most was the thought that even when the Broncos won the premiership it wouldn't have been as sweet as beating Penrith that night.
I was wrong, the past month was unlike anything I've seen as a fan and seeing the fans embrace the club just makes me so proud. Especially the younger generation, I remember the wait from 2000 to 2006 felt like an eternity, I couldn't imagine what it would have been like going through school and never getting to see the boys win one.
To go from that to the sweetest victory of all-time I hope they lap it up.