Broncos stun Panthers to book Grand Final berth

Press Conferences

There is plenty to unpack from an epic preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium so be sure to tune into the live stream of the press conferences to hear all the fall out from both captains and coaches.

Full-time: The Broncos are through to the 2025 NRL Grand Final. Dylan Edwards was the man who ended up attempting the two-point field goal but it was not to be, with the ball falling well short of the goal posts before rolling over the dead ball line. Brisbane have overturned a 14-0 half-time deficit to claim a stunning 16-14 win and end Penrith's four-year reign atop the NRL mountain. Broncos 16 - Panthers 14. 

79th minute: This match isn't over yet, with Kotoni Staggs conceding a penalty and Penrith have 90 seconds to work into position for a shot at a two-point field goal. Broncos 16 - Panthers 14.

77th minute: Reece Walsh is a miracle worker. The Broncos fullback looked to have been contained, but he kept moving his legs, beat a tackle before throwing a spectacular offload to Deine Mariner who burrowed his way over. Suncorp Stadium is as loud as it's every been right now. We are all locked up and Adam Reynolds is taking over the kicking duties for a kick from near the sideline that could send Brisbane into the grand final. The kick is straight down the middle and the Broncos are three minutes away from a stunning victory. Broncos 16 - Panthers 14. 

76th minute: Brisbane are winning the field position battle and a daring decision to run on the last has delivered a repeat set of six. The Broncos have a scrum 30 metres out with four minutes to play. This is their chance. Broncos 10 - Panthers 14.

71st minute: We have a grandstand finish coming up and Brisbane fans are daring to dream of a miraculous second-half comeback. Ben Hunt looked to have taken advantage of a retreating Panthers defence, only for Nathan Cleary to desperately dive and knock down Hunt's pass. The ball ricocheted straight to Xavier Willison who strolled over for a try and Suncorp Stadium has erupted. Reece Walsh's kick clattered into the post and Brisbane have nine minutes to score an equaliser. Broncos 10 - Panthers 14. 

68th minute: Brisbane are out on their feet but they keep turning up in defence. Penrith spent the past few minutes camped on the Broncos line however they were unable to break through for a try that could have sealed the game. Instead the hosts have now worked their way into attacking field position as they look to close the gap. Broncos 6 - Panthers 14. 

61st minute: Now Brisbane have made a challenge, after the referee handed Penrith a penalty for an escort. Ezra Mam was the man to take a Panther off the ball and the Bunker confirms the on-field decision of penalty. Penrith have a chance to kick clear. Broncos 6 - Panthers 14.

58th minute: Penrith have launched a Captain's Challenge after Mitch Kenny was ruled to have lost the ball in a tackle. The Bunker quickly dismisses the protest and Brisbane receive the ball. Broncos 6 - Panthers 14. 

55th minute: This game has exploded after Ezra Mam put plenty of pressure on Nathan Cleary while he was kicking the ball. The pair continued to wrestle on the ground before Liam Martin came charging in to protect his halfback. The edge forward was penalised and Brisbane have another chance to strike back. Broncos 6 - Panthers 14. 

54th minute: Momentum has well and truly turned in Brisbane's favour and the hosts have all the running at the moment. A Penrith error was followed by a penalty to hand the Broncos a chance to close the gap. Brisbane took a tap rather than attempting a penalty goal but the Panthers defence was up to the task. Broncos 6 - Panthers 14.

48th minute: That's exactly what Brisbane needed as they look to pull off an epic comeback. Adam Reynolds grubbered the ball in behind the Panthers defensive line, it was deflected on the way through but made it to the intended target, with Kotoni Staggs getting a perfect bounce to put his side on the board and Suncorp Stadium has erupted. Broncos 6 - Panthers 14.

45th minute: Vital defensive stand from the Broncos, who are desperately clinging on to this contest. The hosts turned the ball over 10 metres out from their own line, handing Penrith an early chance to kick clear. Brisbane's defence, however, scrambled desperately to repel the visitors. A penalty for a high tackle then gave the Broncos an easy exit and the pressure has eased. Broncos 0 - Panthers 14.

Kick-off: We are back underway at Suncorp Stadium with Penrith kicking off as they chase a sixth-straight grand final. The Panthers largely controlled the first half but will need to be wary of a desperate Broncos side willing to chance their arm with their season on the line. Broncos 0 - Panthers 14.

Half-time: That is half-time of an enthralling 40 minutes of football, with Penrith producing a big defensive stand in the final stages of the period to maintain a clean sheet. The Panthers turned the ball over soon after Alamoti scored and Brisbane threw plenty at their opponents but they were not able to break down the visitors' defensive wall. The Broncos trail by 14 but we don't have to think too long to know how quickly they can overcome a double-digit deficit. Broncos 0 - Panthers 14.

36th minute: Paul Alamoti has a double as Penrith turn pressure into points. The winger was the beneficiary of more fantastic work from Nathan Cleary through the middle of the field before Izack Tago produced a superb tip on to Alamoti who beats Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh to score the try. Mam had just entered the fray and promises to be a key figure as the Broncos look to mount a comeback. Broncos 0 - Panthers 14.

28th minute: Penrith have extended their lead to eight after Nathan Cleary slotted a penalty goal. Xavier Willison was the man penalised, with the bench forward placed on report for a cannonball tackle. Broncos 0 - Panthers 8.

25th minute: The match has been electric and we've just had another massive moment. With Brisbane on the attack, Casey McLean has claimed an intercept and run 90 metres to seemingly score. The referee, however, ruled the Panthers centre was offside and blew play dead. Brisbane received a penalty, but they were not able to capitalise on the attacking opportunity and Xavier Willison spilled the ball. Broncos 0 - Panthers 6.

23rd minute: Now it's Reece Walsh's turn to produce a big play when his team needed it most. Brisbane were under considerable pressure as Penrith peppered the Broncos line before Nathan Cleary produced a deft grubber into the in-goal. Walsh looked certain to be trapped in-goal, but somehow managed to fight through the tackle and get into the field of play. Broncos 0 - Panthers 6.

17th minute: Paul Alamoti is scoring tries at one end and producing big defensive plays at the other. A penalty put Brisbane on the attack and they promptly attacked to the left. Alamoti was up to the task, holding Josiah Karapani up before the cavalry arrived to take the Broncos winger into touch. Broncos 0 - Panthers 6.

11th minute: The Panthers have struck first at Suncorp Stadium with Paul Alamoti continuing his fairytale return to the top flight. A penalty handed the visitors a chance to attack, with Adam Reynolds knocking the ball down to give Penrith a repeat set. After threatening to break through on the left, the Panthers worked their way to the right before Alamoti produced a spectacular finish in the corner. Broncos 0 - Panthers 6

3rd minute: If Penrith win today, they're going to have to do it with 16 men after Scott Sorensen was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. The 11-day stand-down period also means the forward is likely to miss next week's grand final if the Panthers progress to the decider. Broncos 0 - Panthers 0.

2nd minute: An early blow for Penrith, with Scott Sorensen coming off second best after colliding with teammate Blaize Talagi while tackling Reece Walsh. The forward is bleeding from the mouth and has left the field for an HIA. Broncos 0 - Panthers 0.

Kick-off: We are underway at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium, with the venue packed to the rafters as Brisbane look to avenge their 2023 grand final defeat to the Panthers. The sun is shining so we can expect an entertaining contest between two of the best attacking sides in the competition. Broncos 0 - Panthers 0.

Stat Attack

• 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.

Late Mail

Broncos: Skipper Adam Reynolds is back after missing five games with a hamstring injury while Ezra Mam also returns via the bench from a hamstring injury. The loss of Billy Walters to an ACL injury sees Ben Hunt return to five-eighth while Tyson Smoothy takes over at lock from the suspended Pat Carrigan. Winger Selwyn Cobbo dropped out of the squad in the 24-hour update after initially being listed among the reserves following his return from a hamstring injury through Queensland Cup last week. Brisbane will line up 1-17, with Jesse Arthars remaining in the squad as 18th man. 

Panthers: No injury concerns and no changes for the defending premiers, with Liam Martin (ribs) and Casey McLean (hip) both good to go despite injury scares last Sunday. Superstar Nathan Cleary hasn't lost a daytime game since Round 19, 2019 against the Raiders, as he aims for a sixth consecutive grand final appearance with the Panthers. Penrith will line up 1-17, with Daine Laurie the 18th man.