"Stuck up" Broncos respond to explosive Storm claim

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The Brisbane Broncos are into the 2025 NRL Grand Final after an incredible comeback victory over the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium.

In one of the most incredible games Suncorp has ever played host to, the Broncos recovered from 0-14 to secure a spot in the big dance against Melbourne Storm on Sunday.

"I've been a part of some pretty big games at Suncorp Stadium, but I have never heard the place like it was yesterday," SENQ's Corey parker said.

Follow live news on all things Broncos and Grand Final today.

The war of words has started and it's only Monday!

Fresh from being labelled a club of "stuck up" players by Melbourne prop Stefano Utoikamanu, Broncos star Payne Haas has returned serve.

In a Storm media session this morning, Utoikamanu said there were "a lot of people I think are a bit stuck up" referring to the Brisbane side they will face in this Sunday's Grand Final.

Rather than be agitated, Haas cut a pretty cool image when the quotes were shown to him.

“They can say what they want, but we’ll be out there on Sunday, and we’ll see if that’s still going to be thrown around,” he said.

“We know who we are. They got this certain image of us down there, so it is what it is. We’ll see what happens.”

The two sides will meet this weekend with the Storm having won 17 or the sides' last 19 encounters - an obscene record but one they're ready to put right.

Putting the off-field noise out of their minds, Haas is adamant the nine players that remain at the Broncos from the heart-breaking 2023 Grand Final have a new approach.

“I felt like there were a lot of us who probably got caught up in it a bit, but we’ve learned our lessons now, and just really excited for the weekend,” he said.

“We’re new team now, and we’re just focusing on the present, and focusing on our own preparation.”

12pm Maguire slams "total garbage" advantage claims:

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has dismissed the notion that Melbourne Storm has a significant advantage over the Broncos given the tight turnaround to the Grand Final.

After coming from 0-14 down to end the Panthers dynasty at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night, the Broncos will have 48 hours less recovery time compared to their Melbourne peers.

Storm beat the Sharks at AAMI Park on Friday night in a scheduling farce that has had many an expert scratching their head.

But for Maguire it won’t be a consideration, whatever happens in Sunday’s Grand Final.

“I reckon that’s a talking point that you guys will dance around, that’s a lot of garbage,” Maguire said.

“Players play on Wednesday, and they play on a Friday in our competition. We’ve got seven days to get ready, perfect.

“The boys have been building this from day one since I’ve been here.

“I just want to credit the players to stay solid to the path that we’ve been. I always believe, coming here, that this was an opportunity that we could create, so I’m just wrapped for the players.

“We know that there’s one to go. It’s important now that we obviously recognise what they’ve done to this moment, but it’s using that now at the big game.”

10:45am Willison learns Grand Final fate

The judiciary email is out and Xavier Willison is free to play the Grand Final after copping a $1000 for dangerous conduct.

In the 28th minute if the Broncos exceptional comeback victory over the Panthers, Willison grabbed the ankles of Luke Garner.

"It's a horrible tackle...coming into the legs when the player is held," Andrew Johns said on commentary.

Willison was placed on report for dangerous contact by referee Grant Atkins.

11:05am Walsh "hasn't slept much":

Broncos star Reece Walsh admits he didn’t get much sleep after his side’s incredible comeback victory over the Panthers on Sunday night which he described as one of the “most ridiculous” environments he’s ever played the game.

Walsh set up the winning try for Deine Mariner and played a starring role in the unlikeliest of victories with the Broncos 0-14 at half-time.

The win set up a Grand Final date with Melbourne Storm this Sunday.

“It's pretty surreal, mate, to be honest,” Walsh told Corey Parker and Ian Healy on SENQ Breakfast.

“Didn't get much sleep last night, still pumped, but you know, we've got a job to do come Sunday.

“It was a bloody tough game, when you're versing a quality team like Penrith, they don't give you anything, so, it sort of felt like our backs were against the wall the whole game and then going in that second half, we knew we had to had to defend well and try and play our brand of footy and a few things went our way.

“We got the bounce of the ball and, you know, we put ourselves in in a good position to, play footy.”

No stranger to the cauldron-like environment of Suncorp Stadium, Walsh said the 52,000 people that showed up definitely helped get them over the line.

“Mate, that was ridiculous,” he said. “You’d obviously know having played Origins at Suncorp, but an afternoon game where the sun's out and the fans are up and about.

“We definitely felt them every single step of the way and if it wasn't for them we probably wouldn't get home.”

10:05am Parker slams Qantas and Virgin GF $9,822 gouging:

And so he should be. This happens year in, year out, it's blocking fans from being at the greatest show on earth.

"Qantas, Virgin, seriously," Parker said. "I jumped on last night as I'm sure plenty of Brisbanites and Melbournites will have, to look at flights.

"There's six of us, I looked, and the average price was $800 one way. It was $9,822 or something ridiculous for us all to get to Sydney on a plane.

"If there was any other small business that did that and put the price up astronomically like that, they customer would walk. Why is this seen to be ok?

"They quadrupled the price. That’s ridiculous."

7:25am Who is dropped for Carrigan?

Corey Parker has suggested some alternative line-ups for the Brisbane Broncos for their Grand Final clash against the Melbourne Storm, with Patrick Carrigan expected to return.

Carrigan would be out of the side due to receiving a one-week suspension in the Broncos’ Qualifying Final win against the Canberra Raiders following a high tackle on Morgan Smithies.

With Brisbane winning their preliminary final against the Penrith Panthers on Sunday, it means that his season is not over, but it will force coach Michael Maguire to make a tough decision on who to drop.

There is a possibility that a spot opens up for the Queensland representative without someone being dropped based on form.

Currently, Xavier Willison is on report following his dangerous tackle in the 28th minute, which could result in a suspension.

But if he is to be fined or incur no punishment from the judiciary, then that will leave Maguire with a big selection call, which will be speculated upon.

Parker thinks that with Carrigan’s inclusion, it will see a reshuffling of the spine, which will see Ezra Mam return to his usual starting five-eighth position and Ben Hunt go in as the hooker.

If that is to happen, it may see Cory Paix pushed out of the side despite having played 22 games this season.

“The way I see it right now is,” Parker explained.

“Ben Hunt goes from six to nine. Created a try for the Broncos coming out of dummy half.

“Reynolds will hold seven, Ezra Mam; I thought he was very good when he came onto the field. He’ll stay at six.