“Unbelievable Turnaround”: Broncos Pull Off Shocking 22-18 Comeback Over Bulldogs—Reynolds, Mam, and Madge React to Miracle Win
The Brisbane Broncos stunned fans and critics alike on Friday night, delivering one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the 2025 NRL season. Trailing 18-0 with just 20 minutes to go, the Broncos stormed back to claim a thrilling 22-18 win over the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium in Round 18—a performance that will go down as one of the most unlikely comebacks in recent memory.
For the first 60 minutes, Brisbane looked completely out of sorts, unable to find any rhythm or attacking spark. Not a single point had been scored, and Canterbury appeared firmly in control, dominating both possession and territory. But what followed was a complete shift in energy and mindset.
Within just 13 minutes, Brisbane crossed the line four times—Josiah Karapani, Delouise Hoeter, Billy Walters, and Brendan Piakura all crashing over for tries. Each one chipped away at the Bulldogs’ lead, and suddenly, in a blink, the Broncos had not only come back, but taken the lead.
Team captain Adam Reynolds explained what changed and how belief at halftime sparked the resurgence.
“There was plenty of belief at halftime that we could turn it around,” Reynolds said after the match. “We just had to change the way we approached the game. Going up the middle wasn’t working, so we shifted focus.”
That shift involved targeting Canterbury’s weaker defensive zones—specifically, their “four-ins,” or defenders tucked just inside the edges. That adjustment proved to be the turning point. As Reynolds explained, “We started getting a bit of joy and momentum through the ruck. When we get that, we become a dangerous football team.”
One of the key architects behind the comeback was five-eighth Ezra Mam. With three try assists to his name, Mam orchestrated much of Brisbane’s attack during that devastating 13-minute blitz.
Reynolds was full of praise for his halves partner: “It’s my job to get Ezra as much space as I can and let him work his magic. He was fantastic. We made some small adjustments at halftime, and he really brought them to life.”
The win marks Brisbane’s second major comeback in just a few weeks. Back in Round 16, the Broncos overcame a 28-12 deficit to defeat the Sharks 34-28 in another thrilling finish. The back-to-back comebacks now paint a picture of a team that’s finding resilience and rhythm as the business end of the season approaches.
Head coach Michael “Madge” Maguire revealed after the game that he never lost faith, despite the bleak scoreline.
“Believe it or not, I actually did believe we could win,” Maguire said. “I’ve seen something building in this group over the past month. The way they train, the way they talk to each other—it’s all been coming together.”
Maguire emphasized the power of halftime communication between the players, noting that they led the charge in resetting the mindset.
“The players spoke really well amongst themselves at halftime. They knew it would be a challenge, but they stuck to the plan. I’m really proud of the way they went out and delivered exactly what they said they would.”
While the win will be remembered for the last 20 minutes of chaos, the match also raised deeper questions about Brisbane’s inconsistency. For an hour, they were outplayed and outthought. But their ability to flip a switch, correct their course, and surge back into contention suggests a team that may be growing in both maturity and belief.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, were left shattered. After dominating for much of the contest, they simply had no answer for Brisbane’s late barrage. Their defense fell apart under the pressure, and their attacking intensity dropped as the Broncos seized momentum and refused to let go.
With the win, the Broncos not only secure two crucial points, but also send a loud message to the rest of the league: this is a team that can’t be counted out—even when staring down what looks like certain defeat.
The comeback wasn’t built off luck or a single standout moment—it was the result of a strategic shift, individual brilliance, and collective belief. It also reflects a growing trend under Maguire’s leadership: trust in the squad’s ability to regroup and fight back.
Brisbane’s next challenge will be maintaining consistency. With the finals race heating up, they can’t afford to continue starting games slowly. Still, if they can harness the fire they showed in the final quarter of Friday’s match, there’s no limit to what this group might achieve.
Reynolds knows this better than anyone: “We’ve still got a lot of improvement in us. But tonight, I’m proud. We never gave up.”
For fans watching on FOX LEAGUE or in the stands, the final 20 minutes offered a rollercoaster of emotion—a reminder of why rugby league continues to thrill week after week.
From being scoreless at the hour mark to leaving the field as victors, the Broncos’ night was the very definition of a game of two halves. A contest that began with frustration and confusion ended in celebration and disbelief.
Coach Maguire’s halftime assessment—”believe it or not”—proved prophetic. For Brisbane, belief was all they needed. And with that belief, they turned an 18-0 hole into one of the great escapes of 2025.
