Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is aligning both its Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses with Brisbane’s preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a focus on campus upgrades, sport research and industry partnerships.
QUT’s Kelvin Grove campus sits next to the planned Victoria Park Olympic stadium and National Aquatic Centre, placing it within what is expected to become a major sporting hub.
The university has indicated the wider Olympic and Paralympic precinct will link with the nearby Herston Health Precinct, forming a connected corridor for sport, health and biomedical research in Brisbane’s inner north.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
At the same time, its Gardens Point campus near the CBD and Fortitude Valley is positioned within the broader inner-city zone expected to see increased activity as the Games approach.
Campus changes planned over next decade
QUT has outlined a long-term master plan covering both campuses, designed to respond to growth linked to Brisbane 2032 and wider city development. The plan includes improving accessibility and safety, making campuses easier to navigate, and creating more flexible teaching and learning spaces. It also focuses on making research and innovation work more visible, allowing stronger links between students, industry and the community.
These changes are being planned alongside major developments such as the Victoria Park redevelopment and the expansion of surrounding health and knowledge precincts.
Facilities support sport and health focus
QUT already has a wide range of sport and health facilities across its campuses, including gyms, aquatic centres, indoor and outdoor courts, a FIFA-accredited field with a running track, and dedicated spaces such as an esports arena and virtual sport studio.
The university also operates health clinics in areas including exercise physiology, podiatry, nutrition, optometry and psychology, which support both student learning and community services.
These facilities are expected to play a role in supporting athlete preparation, research and participation in the lead-up to 2032.
Photo Credit: QUT
Student programs and innovation projects underway
QUT is running several programs that link students directly to sport and event-related work. Through its Sport Innovation ProtoComp, students work with industry mentors to develop solutions for real-world challenges in sport, including digital tools and performance systems.
The university has also developed projects focused on inclusive sport, including a virtual reality sports wheelchair simulator and an adaptive handcycle trainer that allows wheelchair users to take part in virtual cycling programs.
These initiatives bring together design, engineering, health and technology, reflecting the range of skills needed for large events like the Olympics.
Photo Credit: QUT
Global sport conference brings focus to Brisbane
QUT has already brought international expertise to Brisbane through its Future of Sport Conference, held at the Gardens Point campus in March. The event brought together leaders in sport, technology and research to examine how data, innovation and partnerships are shaping the future of sport ahead of the 2032 Games.
The university has indicated the conference reflects its role in linking research with practical outcomes as Queensland prepares for a series of major sporting events. Discussions covered areas such as performance analytics, athlete wellbeing, emerging technologies and the long-term sustainability of sport.
Researchers involved highlighted how data is increasingly used to improve training, reduce injury risk and support athlete wellbeing, with these approaches expected to expand in the lead-up to 2032.
Queensland University of Technology has unveiled a sweeping 25-year masterplan that would transform its Kelvin Grove campus into a mixed-use urban precinct of highrise towers, affordable housing for essential workers, on-site student accommodation and vibrant new public spaces — with the Olympic Games as a catalyst.
The 2026 to 2050 Campus Master Plan, released in March, is already generating real momentum. QUT moved quickly to launch an expressions of interest campaign for new student accommodation on an underused part of the Kelvin Grove site, even as the broader masterplan’s most ambitious changes remain years away from realisation.
Kelvin Grove is the main campus for QUT’s communication, creative industries, design, education, health and justice students, located in the thriving Kelvin Grove Village. The masterplan now positions the campus as far more than a university precinct, with residential, commercial and community functions woven through the site in a way that would make it one of Brisbane’s most significant urban villages.
A Campus That Grows Into Its Neighbourhood
The Kelvin Grove masterplan proposes a mixed-use highrise development at 5 Musk Avenue, combining commercial and residential spaces on a site that currently sits underutilised. The plan transforms Parer Place into a flexible outdoor space that doubles as a public plaza and events area, injecting new life into the heart of the campus. It introduces further residential towers within a central hub, while developers will deliver on-site affordable student accommodation at 95–107 Musk Avenue, bringing hundreds of students onto campus and supporting surrounding retailers.
Perhaps the most significant proposal for the local community is the Parkside South precinct. Adjacent to the Victoria Park Olympic venues and within reach of a Brisbane Metro stop and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Parkside South would deliver a mix of market-rate and affordable housing specifically designed for essential workers, filling a gap in the local housing supply that has grown more acute as the suburb has become increasingly desirable.
The plan consolidates teaching spaces into northern and southern clusters to improve accessibility and efficiency, while new pedestrian connections link the campus more directly to surrounding parkland and the wider neighbourhood.
The Olympics Are Reshaping What’s Possible Here
The timing of the masterplan is deliberate. Kelvin Grove sits immediately adjacent to Victoria Park, the planned site for the proposed main Olympic stadium for Brisbane 2032, and QUT has designed the plan specifically to complement that transformation.
“With the QUT Kelvin Grove campus neighbouring exciting development for Brisbane 2032, this plan complements the Victoria Park redevelopment and other city-shaping initiatives,” Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil said.
The Brisbane Metro will connect the campus directly to Victoria Park and plays a central role in the plan’s vision for improved connectivity. Upgraded pathways will make the Creative Industries precinct easier to navigate, while planners will strengthen connections to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to align with the broader suite of city-shaping projects underway.
A Plan for the Future
The Campus Master Plan reflects five years of engagement with staff, students, industry partners and the broader community, and positions the campuses as vibrant, collaborative hubs of innovation and creativity. For Kelvin Grove and Paddington residents, the changes represent a substantial evolution of their immediate neighbourhood, one that brings more people, more amenity and more connection to one of the fastest-changing parts of Brisbane.
Sheil framed the masterplan as a commitment to keeping QUT central to city life. “By aligning with Brisbane’s broader growth and development strategy, the Campus Master Plan ensures QUT remains accessible, future-ready and central to the city’s economic, social and cultural life,” she said.
Enquiries about the masterplan can be directed to masterplan@qut.edu.au. The full document is available to download here.
A five-storey mixed-use development has been proposed in Paddington, outlining new apartments and retail spaces at a key corner of Latrobe and Given terraces.
Corner Site in Paddington Targeted for Redevelopment
A development application has been lodged for a mixed-use project at 2–8 Latrobe Terrace and 299 Given Terrace, covering a 1,822 square metre site about 3km from the Brisbane CBD. The proposal centres on a five-storey building with 29 apartments above ground-floor retail, office and indoor recreation spaces, positioned to activate both street frontages.
Photo Credit: DA/A006992438
The existing site, which includes an open car park and commercial tenancies, is intended to be cleared to enable redevelopment. The residential component comprises a mix of two- and three-bedroom apartments, including configurations with multipurpose rooms. Basement levels are planned to accommodate car parking and bicycle storage.
Design Reflects Established Paddington Streetscape
The architectural scheme has been prepared by SJB and draws on Paddington’s established character through the use of brick, timber detailing and verandah-style elements. The design incorporates recessed balconies, articulated forms and integrated planting to align with the surrounding built environment.
Photo Credit: DA/A006992438
Subtropical design principles are incorporated through building orientation, natural ventilation and shading features. Sustainability measures include north-facing rooftop solar panels, water management systems and greenery integrated across multiple levels. Landscaping is proposed throughout the building, including podium areas and upper levels, to support amenity and visual integration within the precinct.
Retail Activation and Shared Rooftop Spaces
At ground level, the development introduces a mix of retail, office and indoor recreation uses designed to maintain active frontages along Latrobe and Given terraces. The corner positioning allows for continuous engagement with the street, supporting the function of the area as a local centre.
Photo Credit: DA/A006992438
Residents would have access to a range of shared rooftop amenities, including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, yoga lawn, lounge and dining areas, barbecue facilities and a dedicated dog wash area. The rooftop is designed as a landscaped communal space with integrated planting.
The Paddington proposal forms part of ongoing activity within the precinct, where recent projects have combined residential uses with upgraded retail and public-facing spaces along Given Terrace.
The atmosphere at a sold-out CBus Super Stadium for the Round 5 local derby was nothing short of electric, the kind of humid, high-stakes evening where reputations are either forged or forgotten.
For the Brisbane Broncos, it began in “flying style,” with the kind of clinical precision we’ve come to expect when our superstars are in the mood.
Yet, what started as a celebration of Reece Walsh’s 100th NRL appearance rapidly descended into a survival test that would push our depth to its absolute limit.
By the time the halftime siren for Round 5 of the 2026 Telstra Premiership echoed across the Gold Coast, the mood amongst the Brisbane faithful had shifted from jubilation to genuine anxiety. The Broncos held a slender 8-6 lead, but the cost was staggering: half the team’s “spine” was gone.
Captain Adam Reynolds and the mercurial Walsh were both out of the equation before the second half even began. What followed, however, was a masterclass in resilience.
Brisbane transformed a looming disaster into a dominant 26-12 victory, proving that this squad’s premiership credentials are built on far more than just individual brilliance.
The Century of Brilliance and Brutality: Walsh’s Bitter-Sweet Milestone
Reece Walsh’s milestone match was a frantic microcosm of his career—a blend of breathtaking creative genius and a willingness to put his body on the line.
He ignited the contest in the third minute, soaring to snatch his own bomb out of Keano Kini’s grasp for a sensational try.
Throughout the first half, he looked untouchable; he tore through for a 70-metre individual burst that was only halted by a desperate, last-ditch cover tackle from the Titans’ PNG forward Cooper Bai, and later produced a 90-metre dash that was only denied by the narrowest of margins as his boot grazed the sideline.
But the brilliance was cut short by the sheer brutality of the modern game. Attempting to stop a charging Kurtis Morrin just before the break, Walsh was concussed.
The fallout is significant: a Category 1 HIA and a fractured cheekbone that requires immediate surgery, leaving us without our X-factor for the next four to six weeks. As he left the field, the Brisbane attack momentarily looked like it was wading through quicksand, struggling to find a rhythm without its primary spark plug.
Ezra Mam: Stepping Out of the Shadows
When Adam Reynolds succumbed to a groin injury in the 25th minute, the keys to the kingdom were handed to Ezra Mam earlier than anyone had anticipated. While the veteran skipper eventually returned to the sidelines to provide a “captain’s presence” from the bench, the on-field leadership fell to Mam.
It was a performance of pure character. Mam had a difficult moment in the first half, dropping a ball under a heavy Mo Fotuaika tackle that allowed Jojo Fifita to race away and score.
However, champions are defined by how they respond to such errors. In the second half, Mam was the definitive “difference.” He was the architect of the revival, providing the crucial assists for Xavier Willison and Gehamat Shibasaki as we broke the game open.
He eventually iced the result with a piece of solo magic, selling a massive dummy from dummy half to scoot through and score. It wasn’t just his attack, either; his 15th-minute try-saver on Arama Hau when the game was still on a knife-edge proved he is now a complete two-way footballer.
The Contentious Turning Point: 47 Minutes in and a “Fair Try” Denied
Derbies are won and lost on moments of high drama, and the 47th minute provided the night’s most controversial talking point. Gold Coast centre AJ Brimson appeared to have “iced” a fair try that would have reduced the gap to a single possession, potentially turning the match into a shootout.
However, touch judge Jarrod Cole flagged a forward pass from Lachlan Ilias, a call that left the Titans fuming. While the decision was “rough,” our boys showed the killer instinct required of contenders, scoring on the very next set to effectively break the Titans’ spirits.
Titans coach Josh Hannay’s frustration was palpable in the post-match: “It is a hard game and when you earn your opportunity and ice it, and it gets taken away, it is frustrating for the players.”
Tactical Versatility: The “Next Man Up” Mentality
The true story of this win lies in the “Next Man Up” mentality that permeated the reshuffled line-up.
When Reynolds exited, Ben Hunt didn’t just step into the halfback role; he did so while battling through the pain of a suspected medial injury.
Seeing Hunt in the dressing sheds later with ice strapped to his right knee only underscored the grit of his performance—it was his perfectly weighted bomb that initiated the sequence for our first try of the second half.
Jesse Arthars, called up for his first game of the year on the wing, was thrust into the fullback role at the interval and looked like a veteran. His 56th-minute try, where he busted away from Beau Fermor to score, was a testament to his readiness.
We also have to acknowledge the redemption of Deine Mariner; after his first-half error led to a Titans score, his “Houdini” act to bat back Hunt’s bomb for Xavier Willison’s try was the spark we needed.
With Kotoni Staggs taking over the goal-kicking duties after Reynolds’ exit, the team showed a remarkable ability to pivot under fire.
The Engine Room: Carrigan and Haas Provide the Platform
While the makeshift backline found its mojo, the victory was anchored in the trenches. Our forward pack provided a determined defensive platform that allowed the attack to eventually find its feet.
Pat Carrigan was a colossus, leading by example with a staggering 197 metres gained. Beside him, Payne Haas proved why he is the best in the business. Returning from a shoulder injury, Haas put in a 56-minute shift that was capped by a monumental 69th-minute try-saving tackle. He forced Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to spill the ball just as the Titans captain looked certain to score, effectively extinguishing any hope of a Gold Coast comeback.
Looking Ahead Through the Injury Fog
This 26-12 victory is a significant statement, but the road ahead is shrouded in an “injury fog.”
With a Friday night clash against the North Queensland Cowboys at Lang Park looming, we face the reality of taking the field without Walsh and potentially Reynolds.
Broncos fans have always known this team has flair, but at CBus, everyone saw their soul. It was a win built on depth, tactical versatility, and a refusal to buckle under adversity.
It leaves the Broncos supporters with a compelling question: does a “blood-and-guts” win like this, forged in the fires of an injury crisis, define our premiership credentials more than a full-strength demolition ever could?
It’s starting to look that way.
Published 4-April-2026
Disclaimer: Logos are the property of their respective clubs and are used for news reporting, commentary and informational purposes only. No affiliation or endorsement is implied.
The Brisbane Broncos Sport Business Institute, delivered in partnership with TAFE Queensland from the Clive Berghofer Centre on Fulcher Road in Red Hill, has celebrated its 150th graduate, marking a significant milestone for a program that has quickly established itself as one of Australia’s most distinctive sport industry education pathways.
Launched in 2023 as Queensland’s first accredited education program embedding work-integrated learning across an entire professional sporting organisation, the institute has grown steadily across three years of operation. The 150th graduate milestone reflects consistent demand from students seeking a credentialled, practical pathway into the sport and entertainment industry, delivered not from a conventional classroom but from within the operational structure of one of the NRL’s most recognised clubs.
What the Program Offers
The Brisbane Broncos Sport Business Institute delivers a dual qualification across one year of full-time study, combining a Diploma of Sport and a Diploma of Leadership and Management. Students gain a nationally recognised credential spanning both sport-specific competencies and broad business management skills, with the dual-diploma structure designed to open doors across the sport industry and beyond.
The program’s most distinctive feature is its 100 hours of work-integrated learning placed directly across Brisbane Broncos departments, spanning areas including membership, game development, fan engagement, community partnerships and events. Students work alongside Broncos staff on live projects and real operational deliverables, building industry networks and practical skills simultaneously.
Brisbane Broncos staff and players also support TAFE Queensland educators in content delivery, giving students direct exposure to how an elite NRL club operates across its commercial, football and community functions.
The curriculum spans emotional intelligence, critical thinking, workplace relationships, team effectiveness, business risk management, project management and anti-doping and integrity, equipping graduates with a well-rounded professional foundation relevant to a wide range of sport industry roles.
From Student to Staff: A Proven Pathway
The institute’s strongest evidence of impact lies in its graduate outcomes. The program guarantees a minimum of two graduate roles at the Brisbane Broncos for students completing each intake, providing a direct employment pathway that most educational programs cannot match. Students who complete their 100 hours of work-integrated learning may also be considered for casual roles at the club during the course.
The graduate journey of 2024 alumna Abby Mills illustrates the pathway clearly. Mills completed placements in community partnerships and events during her time in the program, working across landmark club moments including the Presentation Ball and the NRLW Launch.
After graduating, she transitioned into a project coordinator role at the club, contributing to the Broncos’ major brand refresh. Her experience reflects the institute’s intent: to create a pipeline from enrolled student to employed professional within the Broncos organisation and the broader sport industry.
For graduates who pursue opportunities outside the club, the dual-diploma qualification carries articulation pathways into a range of undergraduate degrees across Queensland universities, providing a bridge from the vocational sector into higher education for those who choose to continue their studies.
The model, embedding accredited vocational education inside professional sporting environments, has proven a compelling alternative to traditional business or sport management degrees for students who want immediate practical immersion rather than theoretical preparation.
For Paddington, Red Hill and the inner-western suburbs, the presence of a nationally recognised sport business education program operating from the Clive Berghofer Centre adds another dimension to a sporting precinct already central to Brisbane’s rugby league identity.
The institute draws students from across Brisbane and South East Queensland, many of whom spend their study year engaging daily with one of the city’s most iconic organisations from a campus that most residents associate purely with game days.
How to Apply
The Brisbane Broncos Sport Business Institute runs three cohorts in 2026, with two having commenced in January and a final intake opening in April. Applications for the April intake are currently open through TAFE Queensland. Prospective students can register their interest, attend an information session or book a one-on-one program call through brisbanebroncossbi.com.au, or contact the team directly at study@broncos.com.au.
For long stretches, this felt like a Dolphins game. They had the ball. They had the metres. They had the momentum.
In front of 45,882 people, the biggest NRL crowd of the year, the Brisbane Broncos absorbed pressure, capitalised on key moments, and punished every Dolphins lapse to walk away 26–12 winners.
The Broncos won the Battle of Brisbane. Not because they had more of the game — but because they made more of it.
They finished with 53 per cent possession, 211 runs to Brisbane’s 186, and a dominant offload count of 26 to five. They broke more tackles, generated more second-phase play, and had three players run for more metres than any Bronco — Jake Averillo (238m), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (222m) and Jamayne Isaako (196m).
That profile usually wins you games. On Friday night, it didn’t.
The Dolphins didn’t lack effort. They lacked conversion.
Thirteen errors killed momentum, often at the exact point pressure was building. Two first-half tries were wiped out — one for obstruction, one for a forward pass — turning early dominance into frustration.
This is where the game slipped.
The Dolphins were generating pressure but not cashing it in. The Broncos, by contrast, needed fewer chances — and took them.
That’s the entire difference.
Moments That Broke It Open
The shift came immediately after halftime.
First set. Drop from Francis Molo.
Within a minute, the Broncos had struck.
A broken defensive line, a sharp offload, and Reece Walsh was through — a moment of individual brilliance that cut through 40 minutes of Dolphins control. Walsh finished with 182 metres and 11 tackle breaks, repeatedly turning half-chances into genuine threats.
The Dolphins had been building.
The Broncos finished.
Then came the moment that ended it.
Down 16–12 and still in the contest, the Dolphins were defending a high bomb inside their own end. Jamayne Isaako and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow both hesitated.
No call. No catch.
They let it bounce.
At this level, that’s fatal. The Broncos pounced, scored, and the game was effectively over.
High Risk, High Cost
The Dolphins’ attacking identity is clear.
They move the ball. They offload. They play fast and look to break games open through second-phase play.
It worked — to a point.
Those 26 offloads created pressure, but they also fed the error count. At times it felt less like controlled expansion and more like urgency spilling into chaos.
Selwyn Cobbo’s night captured that perfectly.
He ran hard for 181 metres and was heavily involved, but three key errors — including a dropped bomb near his own line and a forced offload under pressure — turned momentum back toward Brisbane at critical moments.
The intent was there.
The execution wasn’t.
Broncos Played the Right Game
The Broncos didn’t need to win the stat sheet.
They won the parts that matter.
Their middle held firm defensively, with Cory Paix and Patrick Carrigan combining for 52 tackles each, repeatedly absorbing pressure and resetting the line.
They were cleaner with the ball. More composed in key moments. More decisive when opportunities appeared.
That’s why the scoreboard reads 26–12.
Not dominance.
Control when it counted.
Reality Bites
This is the frustrating reality for the Dolphins.
They showed enough to suggest they can trouble anyone — their yardage, their offload game, their ability to generate pressure.
But right now, they are asking questions without finishing the answer.
The gap isn’t effort.
It’s timing. It’s composure. It’s execution in the moments that matter most.
Because in games like this, you don’t get rewarded for how much football you play.
Only for what you do with it.
Published 27-March-2026
PRE-MATCH REPORT
Battle of Brisbane: Broncos Tested as Dolphins Circle
The Broncos have controlled this rivalry from the start, holding a 5–1 record since 2023.
But the one result that still cuts through is the Dolphins’ 40–6 win in 2024.
That’s the tension heading into Friday night. One side owns the history. The other has already shown exactly how to break it.
Kick-off is set for Friday, 27 March at 7:00PM AEST at Suncorp Stadium, with live coverage on Fox League and streaming available via Kayo Sports. The match is also listed for free-to-air broadcast on Channel 9 and 9Now.
The 5–1 Record — and the One Result That Changed the Tone
On paper, this rivalry has been one-sided.
Across those five wins, Brisbane controlled the key areas — ruck speed, field position and defensive discipline. They dictated tempo, limited second-phase play and closed games out when it mattered.
That’s the standard they’ve set in this match-up.
The question now is whether they can reproduce it under different conditions — without Haas, with changes through the middle, and against a Dolphins side that has already shown it can disrupt that control.
Team Changes (Key Ins and Outs)
This time, the changes matter. Brisbane have been forced into key adjustments ahead of the derby — none bigger than the loss of Payne Haas.
His absence reshapes the Broncos’ middle rotation, with Xavier Willison stepping into the starting front row and Brendan Piakura shifting into the back row. Adam Reynolds returns and brings control back into the spine, while Ben Hunt’s role adjusts to provide added flexibility around the ruck.
For the Dolphins, the focus is on reinforcing the middle without disrupting what’s already working.
Kenny Bromwich returns to the bench to add experience to the rotation, while Mark Nicholls is promoted into the starting side. Otherwise, the squad remains largely unchanged — giving them continuity heading into a high-pressure contest.
3 Things to Watch
1. Can Brisbane Win the Middle Without Haas?This is the game inside the game. Without Payne Haas, Brisbane lose their safest source of momentum. With Bromwich back and Nicholls starting, the Dolphins have reinforced their middle — and if they generate quick play-the-balls early, it puts immediate pressure on Brisbane’s defensive system.
2. Who Dictates the Tempo — and Handles the Stakes?Adam Reynolds will try to control territory and slow the game down. The Dolphins will look to speed it up and play through the ruck. With both sides under real ladder pressure, this isn’t just about style — it’s about who executes better in key moments.
3. The Edges: Averillo vs StaggsThis could be where the game turns. Averillo’s speed and support play shapes against Staggs’ power and tackle-breaking ability in one of the key match-ups on the field — and in a tight contest, one moment here could be enough.
The Haas Void vs the Reynolds Return
This is where the game tilts.
Payne Haas being ruled out removes Brisbane’s most reliable source of momentum. His value isn’t just metres. Ot’s repeat effort, ruck speed, and the ability to stabilise sets when things start to drift.
Without him, the structure holds, but the margin for error tightens. For Brisbane, it’s a test not just of depth, but of how much pressure this system can absorb at once.
Xavier Willison moves into the starting front row, with Brendan Piakura shifting into the back row. It’s a capable adjustment, but it changes the physical balance of Brisbane’s middle rotation.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, have leaned into experience through their rotation, with Kenny Bromwich returning to the bench and Mark Nicholls promoted into the starting side — adding stability through the middle.
The counter for Brisbane is Adam Reynolds.
His return brings control back into the spine. Last-tackle options sharpen, field position becomes more deliberate, and defensive organisation improves across the line.
It also changes Ben Hunt’s role.
Instead of carrying the side as the primary organiser, Hunt becomes a roaming threat — either through dummy-half or off the bench. That flexibility gives Brisbane a second layer of control when the game starts to open up.
The Defensive Question: Life After Te’o
The bigger concern for Brisbane sits in their system.
Ben Te’o’s exit matters because of what he built. The Broncos’ defence over the past year hasn’t just been effective — it’s been resilient under pressure. Their ability to scramble, reset and hold firm in key moments was a defining feature of their premiership run.
That doesn’t disappear overnight. But it does get tested.
Last week showed they can still execute it. Doing it again in a derby, without the coach who embedded those habits, is a different challenge.
If the Dolphins can generate quick rucks and force repeat defensive sets, this becomes less about structure and more about trust — and whether that system still holds without its architect.
The Ex-Bronco Factor: Familiarity Cuts Both Ways
There’s no hiding the emotional layer in this one.
Seven Dolphins players have come through Brisbane’s system — Isaako, Cobbo, Farnworth, Nikorima, Flegler, Molo and Plath. That brings familiarity with systems, combinations and tendencies.
But more than that, it brings intent.
Flegler’s likely inclusion adds weight to that. If cleared, it’s his first crack at a derby after missing previous chances through injury. Molo’s return adds another experienced body to that rotation.
Then there’s Kodi Nikorima.
This is the most settled version of his game. He’s playing direct, picking moments, and controlling tempo without overplaying his hand. Against a side he knows well, that becomes even more valuable.
He doesn’t need to dominate the game — just steer it into the right spaces.
Early Exchanges Will Matter
This shapes as a contest through the middle first, edges second.
If Brisbane can hold ruck speed and limit second-phase play, Reynolds’ kicking game and Hunt’s flexibility should give them control.
If the Dolphins win that middle battle — through quick play-the-balls, line speed and pressure — the game shifts quickly. That’s when their outside backs become dangerous, and when Brisbane’s defensive cohesion gets tested.
The early exchanges matter. This is not a game that will wait to settle.
The edges could also prove decisive.
Jake Averillo’s speed and support play shapes as a direct contrast to Kotoni Staggs’ power and tackle-breaking ability — and in a tight contest, one moment in that channel could swing the result.
Grudge Match?
Is this a grudge match? Here’s what’s actually at stake.
For Brisbane, this is about stability.
Backing up last week’s win, absorbing the loss of Haas, and showing the defensive system still holds under pressure.
For the Dolphins, it’s about staying in the fight.
With the ladder tightening and the race for finals positions already congested, every result carries weight. A win here doesn’t just even the season ledger — it keeps them firmly in the mix and applies pressure above them.
They’ve already shown they can beat Brisbane. Now they need to show they can do it when it matters.
Friday night won’t just decide the result.
It will say a lot about where both teams are heading.
Published 25-March-2026
Disclaimer: Logos are the property of their respective clubs and are used for news reporting, commentary and informational purposes only. No affiliation or endorsement is implied.
A Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam event has been scheduled at Kelvin Grove State College Hall on L’Estrange Terrace in Kelvin Grove. The gathering is being coordinated by the Brisbane chapter of JET Australia Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation.
The event is set for Saturday, 18 April, with notices confirming a 3:00 p.m. start. One event listing indicates the programme is expected to run until 7:30 p.m.
Photo Credit: JET Australia Foundation
Kelvin Grove Ceremony To Feature Samuhika Kalyanam
A key part of the Kelvin Grove programme is the Samuhika Kalyanam, a group ceremonial ritual where participating couples can perform the Kalyanam under the guidance of priests.
Event information also indicates that multiple seva options will be available for those taking part in the ceremony.
Attendance at the Kelvin Grove event will require prior registration, with organisers noting that registration details will be released separately ahead of the gathering.
Photo Credit: JET Australia Foundation
Programme To Conclude With Shared Meal
The Kelvin Grove event is expected to include prayers and ritual activities, followed by the serving of Mahaprasadam for attendees.
Families have been invited to attend the event, with organisers encouraging community participation in the ceremony.
Contact details have also been made available for enquiries relating to attendance and participation.
Photo Credit: JET Australia Foundation
Background On JET Australia Foundation
The event is being delivered by the JET Brisbane Chapter, part of JET Australia Foundation, which operates as a not-for-profit organisation.
JET was established by HH Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Chinna Srimannarayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji and has been active for more than three decades. The organisation provides charitable, educational and spiritual services across several countries, including Australia.
Its activities include festival events, educational programs and community-based initiatives delivered through regional chapters.
Further information regarding registration is expected to be released prior to the event date. The Kelvin Grove gathering is set to form part of the organisation’s ongoing community activities.
Down 14–0. Completing at 60 per cent. Pinned in their own half at a ground that hadn’t shown them mercy in nearly a decade.
This was slipping fast.
Then Brisbane flipped it — not with chaos, but with control — piling on 18 unanswered points to stun Melbourne 18–14 and rip up the AAMI Park script in the process.
A Game Brisbane Nearly Lost Early
The Melbourne Storms didn’t need brilliance to take control — the Brisbane Broncos gave them enough.
Every error invited pressure. Every penalty extended it. The Storm didn’t have to force the issue; they simply waited for the cracks and stepped through them.
A high shot from Reece Walsh handed over easy points. Another lapse, this time from Ben Hunt, led directly to a try in the ensuing set. Joe Chan’s direct running through the middle bent the defensive line just enough to open the game up, and suddenly the Storm had both momentum and scoreboard control.
At 14–0, it felt familiar.
But there was a subtle difference — Brisbane’s defence, despite the workload, hadn’t collapsed. They were absorbing, not breaking. And that left the door slightly open.
The Shift Was Simple — and Ruthless
There was no tactical overhaul. No miracle play.
Brisbane came out of halftime and did one thing: they held the ball.
The difference was immediate. A first-half completion rate hovering around 60 per cent jumped to 91 per cent after the break. With that came control — not just of possession, but of tempo, territory, and ultimately, belief.
Melbourne’s spine, so dangerous with the ball, suddenly found itself defending repeat sets. The Storm weren’t dictating anymore — they were reacting.
And Brisbane, finally, had rhythm.
Riki Turns Pressure Into Points
Momentum is one thing. Converting it is another.
That’s where Jordan Riki stepped in.
His first try came almost immediately after the restart — a clean line off a short ball, hitting space before Melbourne could reset. Ten minutes later, he was over again, this time exploiting numbers on the edge as the Storm scrambled.
Two tries in 10 minutes. Game flipped.
But it wasn’t just the scoring. Riki’s carries bent the line, his footwork created second-phase opportunities, and his defensive work ensured the edge held when Melbourne pushed back.
It was one of those performances that doesn’t just change a scoreboard — it changes the feel of a contest.
Composure Over Chaos
Where Riki injected energy, Ben Hunt brought calm.
Filling in for Adam Reynolds, Hunt didn’t try to dominate the game. He managed it. Slowed it when needed, directed traffic, and most importantly, ensured Brisbane didn’t fall back into the errors that defined the first half.
Then, with the game tightening, he picked his moment.
A short ball at the line. A hard, direct run from Kotoni Staggs. A gap.
Try. Lead. Control.
For Staggs, it was redemption after a difficult opening half. For Brisbane, it was proof that patience — not panic — would win this.
The Defensive Stand
The final quarter wasn’t played on Brisbane’s terms.
It was played on their line.
Melbourne threw everything at them — shape, speed, second-phase movement — and for long stretches, it looked like only a matter of time.
But it never came.
Tackle after tackle, set after set, Brisbane held. Cory Paix led the effort through the middle with 46 tackles. Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan absorbed the heavy traffic and kept the line intact. Even Riki, after his attacking burst, was back making his tackles on the edge.
The numbers tell part of the story — sustained pressure, repeat defensive sets, over 300 tackles.
The scoreboard tells the rest.
Zero points conceded in the second half.
For a side that had leaked 66 points across the first two rounds, it wasn’t just improvement — it was a statement.
Speed, Skill — and the Difference That Matters
Melbourne still had their moments.
Sua Fa’alogo was electric, slicing through broken play and racking up over 200 metres. Every touch felt dangerous.
Reece Walsh, at the other end, was less clean but more decisive — involved in the opening try, stretching the line, and flipping field position at key moments.
Fa’alogo created chances. Walsh shifted the game.
That was the difference.
A Line Through the Hoodoo
This wasn’t just a comeback — it was a reset.
At 0–2 and down 14–0, Brisbane were heading toward another loss defined by poor control and defensive pressure. Instead, they corrected both in real time.
The shift was measurable. Completion rate jumped from 60 per cent to 91 per cent. Defensive output held under sustained pressure. The Storm, dominant early, were shut out entirely in the second half.
That combination — control with the ball, resilience without it — is what Brisbane had been missing.
But the underlying pattern hasn’t disappeared.
They’ve now come from 14 points down multiple times across the past year. That speaks to belief and fitness, but it also points to a recurring issue: slow starts that force them into recovery mode.
This result proves they can fix a game once it slips.
What Comes Next for the Broncos
This win buys Brisbane momentum — not margin.
At 1–2, they’ve stopped the slide, but the next game decides whether this becomes a launch point or a one-off.
There’s immediate risk around availability. Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs are both on report, and Walsh’s record puts him in real danger of missing time — a hit that would reshape Brisbane’s attack overnight.
Just as critical is whether the standards hold.
The 91 per cent completion rate changed this game. The second-half shutout defined it. If those slip, Brisbane go back to chasing.
They’re still without Adam Reynolds, which means the control Hunt and Mam showed here has to repeat — not once, but weekly.
The equation is simple now.
Win, and the season levels at 2–2 with momentum building.
Lose, and this becomes a missed reset.
That’s the test — not whether they can come back again, but whether they can take control from the start.
A mural honouring late Brisbane entertainer Jamie Dunn appeared overnight at Paddington Skate Park, drawing locals to the site on Wednesday, 11 March. One of the skate park’s concrete walls had been transformed into a black-and-white portrait of Dunn alongside his famous puppet Agro, created overnight following news of his death on the weekend.
The mural, the work of well-known Brisbane street artist Drapl, drew a steady stream of locals through the morning. Images of the artwork spread quickly across social media following news of Dunn’s death.
The man behind the microphone
Photo credit: mytributes.com.au
Long before Agro became a household name, Dunn was cutting his teeth in the Brisbane music scene of the 1970s. He worked as a drummer and singer-songwriter, performing with local band Hands Down, building the improvisational skills and timing that have been credited as foundational to his later media career.
His path into TV was, by his own account, something of a fluke. In 1982, following a dispute between the original creator of the Agro character and the Seven Network, Dunn recorded a song demo that included a vocal impression of the puppet. The network hired him on a Friday, and he debuted the following Saturday morning after a marathon night of practice.
What followed was three decades at the heart of Australian children’s entertainment. Agro’s Cartoon Connection became a morning ritual for a generation of kids, racking up seven Logie Awards and turning the wisecracking puppet into one of the country’s most recognisable characters. Dunn’s quick wit and cheeky humour were widely credited with driving the show’s success. He also built a long and popular radio career that kept him connected to Queensland audiences.
A platform used for good
Beyond his entertainment career, Dunn was known for his community work.
Through his “Agro to the Rescue” segment on B105, he provided direct financial resources and support to Queensland families and individuals facing hardship. He served as a patron of the Shandar Smith Foundation, which supports children with cancer, and was a regular participant in annual appeals for the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane. He also took part in the ‘K’s for Kids’ charity walks and served as an ambassador for Wildlife Warriors.
Brisbane says goodbye
Photo credit: Instagram/Drapl
Dunn’s death prompted tributes from across the entertainment industry and the wider community.
Cr Adrian Schrinner described Dunn as a brilliant media personality whose quick wit and comic timing turned a puppet into a cultural icon that entertained a generation.
“For so many Queensland kids like me growing up in the 80s and 90s, Agro’s Cartoon Connection was a daily dose of chaos, laughter and cheeky humour,” said Cr Schrinner.
“Jamie was a proud Brisbane talent who brought joy to millions of homes across the country. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and the many fans who grew up with Jamie and his iconic sense of humour.”
The connection to Paddington ran closer to home than many may have realised. Former official for Paddington Ward Clare Jenkinson revealed on Instagram that Drapl is her nephew, and shared her own childhood memories of attending the Agro’s Cartoon Connection studio audience at Channel 7 as a child of around eight, where she was given the small job of handing out chips and drinks and answering the phone.
Ann-Maree Biggar, one of Agro’s earliest co-hosts, was visibly emotional in paying tribute, expressing her gratitude for having known and worked alongside him.
At Paddington Skate Park, Drapl — real name Travis Vinson — said he felt moved to create something he knew people would appreciate, having grown up watching Dunn on television and following his radio career for years. Brisbane confirmed the work was painted on a designated legal wall, meaning it will remain in place unless another artist eventually paints over it.
Jamie Dunn passed away at his family home north of Brisbane, aged 76.
Let’s not sugarcoat it — that one was there to be won.
For 25 minutes, the Broncos looked like the premiers again. Fast through the middle, line speed up, Walsh carving them up out the back. 20–6 up at Suncorp and the Eels looked on the ropes.
Then Brisbane lost their way.
Missed tackles, penalties, defensive disconnects and a complete momentum swing turned a comfortable lead into a 40–32 loss. Two rounds into the season and the defending premiers are 0–2, still searching for the defensive steel that carried them to the title.
Good teams can lose. Champions sometimes start slow. But blowing a game like this at home is the sort of collapse that forces a hard look in the mirror.
The Broncos can still turn this around. But right now, the truth is simple: they’re not playing like a premiership side for 80 minutes.
The opening half hour showed exactly what Brisbane can be when things click.
The Broncos dominated field position early, forcing repeat sets before Reece Walsh sliced through in the fifth minute for the first try of the season. Kotoni Staggs soon followed off a pinpoint Adam Reynolds grubber, and when Payne Haas crashed through in the 26th minute, Brisbane were cruising at 20–6.
Then it unravelled.
Parramatta found momentum and Brisbane’s left edge couldn’t hold. In the space of five minutes before halftime, the Eels crossed three times, flipping the game completely and taking a 22–20 lead into the sheds.
The second half turned into a shootout.
Staggs scored again off an Ezra Mam chip kick to level things up, and Walsh produced a piece of magic with a chip-and-chase try to put Brisbane back in front.
But every Broncos surge was answered.
With the game in the balance, Jonah Pezet controlled the key moments — setting up Sean Russell with a grubber before sealing the result himself when he chased down his own kick in the dying minutes.
The final score: Parramatta 40, Brisbane 32 in a chaotic 12-try contest.
Round 2 Analysis: What Went Wrong (and Right)
For the Broncos
Edge defence exposed
Parramatta repeatedly attacked Brisbane’s left side and found space between Ezra Mam, Jack Gosiewski and Aublix Tawha. Once the Eels got momentum, they scored quickly and easily through that channel.
Walsh: brilliance and errors
Walsh produced moments only he can — two spectacular tries and several dangerous runs; but there were costly mistakes too, including an airswing on a bomb that led directly to an Eels try.
It was a classic rocks-and-diamonds night. Discipline killing them.
Brisbane conceded eight penalties and multiple ruck infringements, repeatedly handing Parramatta field position and back-to-back sets.
In the faster 2026 game, those momentum swings are brutal. Teams defending repeat sets eventually crack.
For the Eels
Pezet ran the show
The Eels five-eighth had a breakout game — two tries and several try assists, constantly targeting the Broncos defensive line with grubbers and short balls.
In an ironic twist, he will be wearing Broncos colours in 2027.
On Thursday night, he picked them apart.
The Historical Lens: Is the Season Over?
It is still March — but Brisbane have given themselves work to do.
Two rounds in and the Broncos have already conceded 66 points, a sign their defensive structure and discipline are not where they need to be.
The attack still has strike — they proved that by scoring 32 points against Parramatta — but premiership sides do not concede 40 and expect to win.
Can they still win the premiership? That’s the question on everyone’s minds.
The case for optimism
There are still reasons to believe the Broncos can steady the ship.
Coach Michael Maguire pointed to the opening 20 minutes as proof of what the side is capable of when they execute their game plan.
“We showed for 20 minutes what we’re capable of doing… but it’s an 80-minute game,” Maguire said, post-match.
Prop Payne Haas delivered a similar message of perspective.
“You don’t win premierships in March,” he said, while acknowledging the team must fix its bad habits quickly.
Reinforcements are also on the horizon, with back-rower Brendan Piakura expected to return soon to help stabilise the edge defence.
What must change
The fixes are not complicated; but they are urgent.
First, the Broncos must find 80-minute toughness. Strong starts are meaningless if the intensity drops once momentum swings. That has happened in both games to start the season.
Second, the defence has to tighten, particularly on the edges. Parramatta repeatedly targeted Brisbane’s left side and found space far too easily. Premiership teams don’t concede points in bunches like that.
Finally, game management will be critical, especially if Adam Reynolds misses time with a rib injury. Without their on-field organiser late against Parramatta, Brisbane looked short on direction. If Reynolds is sidelined, another voice — likely Ben Hunt — will need to steer the side through the high-tempo pace of the modern NRL.
Heading into Round 3: The Path to Redemption
Next up is a grand final rematch against Melbourne.
It is about as tough a response game as you can get.
For the Broncos the formula is simple.
Tighten the defence. Cut the penalties. Play the full 80 minutes.
Because if Brisbane keep giving teams momentum the way they did against Parramatta, the hole will only get deeper.
Published 13-March-2026
PRE-GAME PREVIEW
Broncos Return to the Cauldron Seeking Redemption Against the Eels
Published 11-March-2026
The schlacking by the Panthers was a massive wake up call for the Broncos but let’s not kid ourselves, they were very ordinary for 30% of last season and gradually found their 5th gear to beat all-comers.
The eery silence that filled the ground towards the end of the game, is not something Madge and the boys will ever want to hear again.
The Parramatta Eels arrive in Brisbane carrying wounds of their own after a heavy Round 1 loss to Melbourne, meaning both sides enter the contest desperate for their first win of the 2026 season.
In front of another expectant Suncorp Stadium crowd, the match has quickly become more than just another early-round fixture. It is a test of response, resilience and pride.
Match Snapshot
Broncos vs Eels Round 2 — Thursday, March 12 7:00pm AEST | Suncorp Stadium Channel 9 / Fox League / Kayo
Coach Michael Maguire has resisted the urge to panic after the Round 1 defeat, naming largely the same 17 to face Parramatta. Ezra Mam has again been listed at five-eighth with veteran Ben Hunt on the bench in a flexible playmaking rotation that could shift during the match.
The Broncos remain without back-rower Brendan Piakura as he continues recovering from a knee injury.
Blake Mozer, Delouise Hoeter and Thomas Duffy have been added to the extended squad as the club maintains depth across the roster heading into the short turnaround.
Despite the disappointment against Penrith, Maguire’s message has been clear: improvement will come through execution rather than sweeping changes.
Paramatta Eels
Parramatta travel north boosted by the return of winger Josh Addo-Carr from a thumb injury. His inclusion pushes Sean Russell into the centres and adds pace to the Eels’ backline.
However, the Eels will be without forward J’maine Hopgood, who is serving a suspension following the opening-round defeat to Melbourne.
Coach Jason Ryles has reshuffled his pack accordingly, with Jack Williams moving into the starting front-row and Kelma Tuilagi promoted to the starting side.
Broncos Reality Check
Broncos fans know last week simply wasn’t good enough.
Brisbane completed just 61 percent of their sets and produced 19 errors against Penrith — numbers that made sustained attacking pressure almost impossible.
For a side built on momentum through the middle and quick attacking shifts from players like Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam, that lack of control proved fatal.
The encouraging sign for Brisbane supporters is that premiership teams rarely stay down for long. Thursday night now becomes an opportunity to reset their standards.
Key Match-Up
Adam Reynolds vs Mitchell Moses
The tactical battle between the two veteran halfbacks could ultimately shape the contest.
Reynolds controls Brisbane’s tempo with precise kicking and field positioning, while Moses provides Parramatta with one of the NRL’s most dangerous long-range kicking games.
Whichever playmaker wins the territorial battle will give their side the platform to attack.
Players to Watch
Several Broncos will be under the spotlight as Brisbane looks to reignite its attack.
Reece Walsh
The Broncos fullback is rarely quiet two weeks in a row. Expect Walsh to be heavily involved as Brisbane look to ignite their attack through broken play and quick shifts.
Adam Reynolds
The veteran halfback remains the organiser of Brisbane’s attack. His kicking game and calm decision-making will be critical against an Eels side led by Mitchell Moses.
Xavier Willison
With Payne Haas set to depart the club in the future, young forward Xavier Willison is increasingly viewed as part of Brisbane’s long-term middle-forward leadership. The New Zealand representative has credited Haas as a key mentor as he continues to develop his game.
3 Questions for the Broncos
Can the discipline improve?
Brisbane’s 19 errors and low completion rate against Penrith prevented the Broncos from building any sustained pressure. Reducing those mistakes will be the first step toward rediscovering their attacking rhythm.
Will the Reynolds–Mam combination click?
The halves pairing remains central to Brisbane’s structure. If Adam Reynolds can control territory and Ezra Mam finds space to attack, the Broncos’ backline suddenly becomes far more dangerous.
How will the forwards respond?
The Broncos’ premiership run was built on dominance through the middle. Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan and the forward pack will be expected to set the tone early against a Parramatta side missing key enforcer J’maine Hopgood.
Broncos vs Eels: What are the odds?
Bookmakers have installed Brisbane as strong favourites heading into Thursday night, reflecting the Broncos’ home advantage and overall roster strength.
Several analysts expect the defending premiers to respond strongly, predicting a comfortable victory if Brisbane rediscover their discipline and attacking rhythm.
The Stakes
For the Broncos, Thursday night is about more than two competition points.
It is about restoring confidence, re-establishing standards and reminding the competition why Brisbane lifted the premiership trophy only months ago.
The Cauldron has seen countless Broncos redemption stories over the years.
On Thursday night, Suncorp Stadium will be expecting another one.
