The Brisbane Broncos have done it.
After a nineteen year drought since last lifting the Provan-Summons Trophy, this year's championship is headed back north of the border.
In a season that began in turmoil and ended in triumph, the Broncos completed one of the great finals runs in NRL history, defeating Melbourne 26-22 in a grand final that will live long in the memories of fans across the country.
Under the guidance of new coach Michael Maguire, Brisbane overcame scandal, suspension and scrutiny to rise from a rocky start to the summit of the rugby league world.
Brisbane Broncos' 2025 season in review
Before a ball was even kicked, the club was reeling from Ezra Mam's off-field scandal and a nine-game suspension that threatened to derail their season before it even began.
The arrival of veteran half Ben Hunt, reuniting with his former club, offered a lifeline to stabilise the spine alongside Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh.
Injuries, controversy, and inconsistent form plagued the first half of the season, while Walsh's own social media antics repeatedly tested the club's patience.
Brisbane hovered around the bottom of the top eight for much of the year, prompting doubts about whether Maguire's tough, high-pressure coaching style could get the best out of his squad.
But the tide began to turn as the finals race started heating up, with a defining moment coming in the Broncos' Round 16 comeback over the Sharks.
Brisbane trailed 22-12 at half-time - a moment of poetic symmetry, mirroring the very scoreline at the same stage of the grand final.
But true to their finals form, the Broncos rallied in the second half, mounting a stunning comeback to claim a defining victory.
From that point on, they became the most dangerous team in the competition. Walsh returned to peak form, Mam eventually carved out a role in the side, and the forward pack - led by Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan - rediscovered its bite.
By September, despite losing both Mam and Reynolds to hamstring injuries within moments of each other, Brisbane were no longer a side in turmoil that stumbled through the opening months; they were energetic, dangerous and capable of toppling anyone.
Their run to the title reflected that transformation: an extra-time thriller over the Raiders, a comeback for the ages against Penrith, and finally, a grand final victory that sealed their resurrection.
Did Maguire's tough love make all the difference?
When Maguire was appointed as coach, there were concerns that his trademark intensity might clash with Brisbane's youthful roster.
Those fears weren't entirely unfounded - Maguire's methods initially ruffled feathers, and the Broncos looked disjointed early in the year.
But as the season wore on, the discipline and accountability he demanded began to pay dividends.
Players like Gehamat Shibasaki, who broke the team's no-drinking pact, earned back his spot in the side through hard work - epitomising the culture at Red Hill built on standards rather than star power.
Even after Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt went down injured late in the grand final, the team refused to fold - a testament to the resilience Maguire had instilled.
"From day one of dodging Madge’s calls because I was too scared to talk to him to being in the trenches together [it's crazy]," said Walsh after the grand final win.
What's next for the Brisbane Broncos?
With the premiership drought finally broken, the challenge now shifts from chasing success to sustaining it.
Maguire's debut season at the helm has proven that his methods can deliver results, but 2026 will present a new set of questions.
Both Reynolds and Hunt are 35-years-of-age, meaning the club will soon have to lock in its next-generation halves duo.
Coby Black, the highly touted junior, looms as a long-term option alongside Ezra Mam who will be hitting his stride once their pairing forms.
Managing personalities will also be key. Walsh's star power continues to grow, and with it comes scrutiny.
The club has already discussed strategies to help the 23-year-old manage his public image, knowing that he's as valuable to their brand as he is to their backline.
The Broncos' premiership window is wide open - but maintaining the hunger that drove them through 2025 will be a huge test.
Still, for now, Brisbane can finally breathe. The Broncos are back on top of the rugby league world.