Category: Rugby League

• Brisbane win 42-12 at Suncorp Stadium to reach decider
• Fullback Reece Walsh and prop Payne Haas star for hosts

Brisbane are through to their first NRL grand final in eight years after fullback Reece Walsh starred in a 42-12 thrashing of the Warriors in the preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos will face back-to-back defending premiers Penrith at Accor Stadium on Sunday week after the dazzling Walsh and rampaging prop Payne Haas played key roles in front of 52,273 fans.

Always influential, Walsh threw a blatant forward pass that led to a try to Jordan Riki to give the Broncos a 30-12 lead in the 53rd minute. Warriors centre Adam Pompey was sent to the sin bin in the 58th minute for a professional foul on Kotoni Staggs before Broncos No 6 Ezra Mam scored two minutes later. Centre Herbie Farnworth nabbed his second for the night to put the result beyond doubt with 11 minutes left.

• Penrith thrash Melbourne 38-4 in Sydney
• Panthers qualify for fourth-straight NRL grand final

Penrith’s dream of a NRL premiership three-peat is 80 minutes away from becoming a reality after they downed Melbourne 38-4 to book their spot in the grand final.

The Panthers are through to their fourth consecutive decider – becoming just the fifth side to do so since grand finals began in 1954 – after crushing a rudderless Storm in front of 35,578 at Accor Stadium on Friday night.