Brisbane Broncos player ratings, finals week one, Adam Reynolds, Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan, win over Storm, schedule, rankings
The Broncos delivered a mammoth performance in the first game of the 2023 Finals series, defeating the red-hot Storm team.
Reece Walsh eased his way into the contest before going all out in the second half and securing the win.
Experienced playmaker Adam Reynolds also put in an excellent performance after his injury and steered his team around the park.
Read the Broncos’ player ratings from the first week of the Finals below!
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1. REECE WALSH – 9
He planned early and looked threatening in the early stages, but was clearly targeted by the Storm defenders, who swarmed him at every opportunity. Was able to outsmart his Storm opponents again and again and do his job before putting his stamp on the game with a damaging run and scoring the second goal of the game. Walsh took advantage of his first scoring opportunity with both hands, spinning defenders to score four points. The young superstar then assisted on the next attempt by hitting Jordan Riki from the corner.
2. JESSE ARTHARS – 6
Made a great move in the 31st minute and forced a penalty with a clever run. Has held his own on the wing, replacing experienced full-back Corey Oates.
3. KOTONI STAGGS – 8
The gun center opened the scoring with an impressive effort, fending off several tackles to reach the line at a crucial moment. An Escort penalty was missed later in the first half, giving Melbourne a key position, but they failed to take advantage of it. He also played solidly in the second half and ran the ball well, proving that he is a real attacking threat.
4. HERBIE FARNWORTH – 7
Threatened early with several runs that broke several tackles. Interestingly, he switched sides with Staggs once in the first half. Did his job and completed 121 running meters, with a run in the 70th minute being his standout play in the second half.
5. SELWYN COBBO – 7
Looked shaky at the start of the first half but managed the unthinkable in the 23rd minute with a wild shot back to find Reece Walsh after a bomb. Melbourne’s playmakers constantly aimed kicks at him but he stood his ground. He was silent in the second half until he delivered the decisive blow to Melbourne’s heart.
Papenhuyzen takes on the role of “supersub” | 01:51
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6. EZRA MAM – 6
Played his role in the first half but was quiet by his usual standards. Then in the second half he cleverly caught a raid from Harry Grant and prevented a scary scoring opportunity.
7. ADAM REYNOLDS – 10
Reynolds had a near-perfect start to the game, forcing an error with a huge bomb before assisting Kotoni Staggs in his attempt to open the scoring. Then he made a huge 55-yard drop in the rain and landed on the sideline in a move Greg Alexander called “remarkable.” Reynolds also made a huge tackle in the 48th minute to drag Meaney back to the tryline and was consistent as ever as he recovered from a calf injury sustained two weeks before the final. Walters couldn’t ask for more from the ever-present halfback, who recorded three assists and came desperately close to scoring himself.
8. TOM FLEGLER – 6
Scored several big goals in the first half and equalized winger Will Wabrick with a flawless tackle in the 17th minute. Had an unforced error with 20 minutes to play that could have proved costly. Overall it was solid.
9. BILLY WALTERS – 8
Made a few incisive runs in the first half and played his role well. Also made several smart tackles, including a big attempt to force Ryan Papenhuyzen into a mistake at the Broncos’ tryline. His shooting game in the first 40 minutes was also impressive and he also managed 18 tackles in a complete performance.
10. PAYNE HAAS – 9
Put his stamp on the duel early on with some big runs and tormented the Storm in the first 12 minutes, being involved in two maneuvers. Kurt Capewell almost gave Kurt Capewell the lead with an offload in the first 40 minutes. He was also damaging in the second half, dominating Melbourne’s center forwards with powerful runs. 162 running meters were the game’s highest, plus six tackle breaks.
11. KURT CAPEWELL – 6
In the first half he was reliable as always and made a number of solid tackles. An offload from Payne Haas almost broke the line and did his job at the edge.
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12. JORDAN RIKI – 7.5
He came close to setting up a first-half try by deflecting a kick from Ezra Mam and also made a couple of solid runs at the rim. He then scored the third try with a direct run from a Walsh pass and did well to find the line with two defenders in tow.
13. PATRICK CARRIGAN – 8.5
He did a lot of work early on but managed to get the ball out in a strong position in the 10th minute. However, he went about his business and was once again one of the Broncos’ most important players. In the 60th minute he had to leave the field due to an HIA, sustaining a cut on his cheek, but was tremendous and ran 151 meters from the finish with two tackle breaks.
14. TYSON SMOOTHY – 6
Didn’t come on the field in the first half and came on as a substitute for Walters in the second. Did his job without getting the game started. With seconds on the clock, he scored a 40/20 to end the game.
15. BRENDAN PIAKURA – 4
Came on in the last 15 minutes and got the job done. Tackled hard to finish the game.
16. KOBE HETHERINGTON – 6
Came on as a substitute towards the end of the first half, made an impression and continued his solid performance in the second half. He worked hard and did what he had to do for Kevin Walters.
17. KEENAN PALASIA – 7.5
He got involved in the game in the first half and covered some big yards in a short stint, totaling an impressive 135 yards running. He proved to be an X-factor for the Broncos off the bench and is part of arguably the best center rotation in the competition.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-brisbane-broncos-player-ratings-finals-week-one-adam-reynolds-reece-walsh-pat-carrigan-win-over-storm-schedule-ladder/news-story/9688a61a39b5902b2a9f27520f595a66 Brisbane Broncos player ratings, finals week one, Adam Reynolds, Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan, win over Storm, schedule, rankings
