Sorry Wahs fans, but the dream is over - at least, for this season.
Brisbane Broncos have denied NZ Warriors a long-awaited return to the NRL Grand Final with a comprehensive 42-12 win in their preliminary final on Saturday.
The victory books the Broncos a date with Penrith Panthers in next Sunday's showpiece, where they'll attempt to break their 17-year title draught and prevent the boys from the Blue Mountains from claiming a third straight premiership.
The breakneck pace, offloading ability, and athleticism of the youthful Broncos couldn't be contained by the Warriors, who lacked the discipline and accuracy they've made such a cornerstone of their game this year.
To their credit, the Warriors displayed their hallmark resilience but struggled to find prime field position in the face of the hosts' high-energy defence, while their own missed its typical vigour.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's early try had the vocal Warriors contingent at Suncorp Stadium at fever pitch, until the Broncos blitzed four tries in the space of 15 minutes put themselves beyond arm's length, which they managed to maintain through the remainder of match, running in seven tries to three.
Result aside, the Warriors and their fans have much to be proud of. The team's transformation from perennial cellar-dwellars to one of the competition's best four teams has been the fairytale of the NRL this year, and - despite falling so agonisingly short - 2023 will go down as an unmitigated success.
Unfortunately, the precocious talent of the Broncos proved a bridge too far. But the team will head into the offseason with heads held high and full of renewed optimism for what awaits in 2024 under mastermind Andrew Webster.
Looking refreshed after their week off, the Broncos fired across the park. Reece Walsh was the sparkplug to Payne Haas' engine, while Adam Reynolds controlled proceedings with the type of composure you'd expect from a player of his finals experience.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak grabbed a brace for the Warriors on the back of a team-high 182 running metres, running in a brace to finish with a new club record of 24 tries for the season. Nicoll-Klokstad was immense again from the back (178m) but the Warriors vaunted forward pack couldn't get rolling in the face of the Broncos' defence.
Just as they did last weekend against the Knights, the Warriors struck within the opening five minutes. Jesse Arthars spilled a high ball from Johnson, and the half conducted on one of his pet plays to the right to send Watene-Zelezniak over in the corner with his trademark one-handed putdown.
The Broncos' response was swift and immediate. Selwyn Cobbo sparked the attack with a 40m break, setting the stage for Billy Walters to dart over from the ruck at close range.
After the Broncos' seemed to have captured the momentum, Watene-Zelezniak erased in it in one fell swoop, stealing a poor pass from Walsh and returning it 60m to put the Warriors up two points after 13 minutes.
Again, the hosts were ready and willing with an instant response. Walsh created some indecision in the Warriors' defensive line and put Herbie Farnworth into a hole, the centre doing well to reach full extension and place the ball just over the chalk.
Their offence clicked into gear, Pyane Haas' bulldozing 30m run laid the platform for Arthars to dive over wide. Adam Reynolds' radar off the tee extended their lead to 18-8.
Minutes later, Walsh weaved his magic again, ghosting through a hole and sending Walters in under the bar for his second of the night.
With the floodgates creaking, the Warriors had to be the next to score and they were. After Adam Pompey was denied by a superb Jordan Riki tackle at the line, Johnson delayed a pass perfectly to create a glaring overlap for Te Maire Martin to put Marcelo Montoya over.
Both teams squandered some chances late as the toll of a rapid first half – which featured seven tries - took its toll, with the hosts taking a 24-12 lead into the interval.
Both teams traded counterpunches to begin the second half, both aware how much the next try would mean.
Eventually it was the Warriors who broke first, albeit off the back of what looked a clear forward pass from Walsh. Referee Gerard Sutton let the play continue, and Riki went in next to the posts to extend the Broncos' lead to an imposing 30-12 with 25 minutes to play.
The situation for the Warriors worsened five minutes later, when Adam Pompey was sent to the sinbin for running Kotoni Staggs off his line as he chased a grubber.
The Broncos made them pay for the discretion in the next set, courtesy of a jinking individual effort by Erza Mam, leaving Farnworth to waltz over late for his second and put a ribbon on the result.
Brisbane Broncos 42 (Walters 2, Farnworth 2, Arthars, Riki, Mann tries; Reynolds 6 con, Walsh con) NZ Warriors 12 (Watene-Zelezniak 2, Montoya tries)
