In a moment that underscores the Brisbane Broncos’ dominance and potential to “hijack” the NRL Grand Final, the contrasting reactions of Ivan Cleary and Craig Bellamy, two of the league’s most seasoned and successful coaches, have been revealing. Both Cleary, coach of the Penrith Panthers, and Bellamy, at the helm of the Melbourne Storm, are legendary figures, and their expressions during the Broncos’ march towards the 2023 NRL Grand Final served as a powerful reflection of the rise of a new powerhouse in the competition.
Cleary, who has steered Penrith to three consecutive grand finals and back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022, has long been regarded as one of the most astute and calculating coaches in the NRL. His Panthers side has been the team to beat over the past few years, and Cleary’s approach has been to prepare his team to outplay every opponent, focusing on physicality, discipline, and precision. However, during the 2023 season, as the Broncos continued to build momentum and climb to the top of the ladder, there were signs that Cleary’s well-oiled Panthers machine might face a serious challenge, especially when it became clear that Brisbane’s young, dynamic roster had begun to challenge the NRL’s traditional powerhouses.
Bellamy, meanwhile, is known for his fiery and innovative coaching style. The Melbourne Storm has been a fixture at the top of the NRL for the better part of two decades, thanks largely to Bellamy’s tactical brilliance. Yet, in 2023, Bellamy and his Storm side found themselves grappling with Brisbane’s rapid rise. There was a palpable sense of unease in Bellamy’s reactions, particularly when Brisbane’s halfback, Adam Reynolds, and the electrifying play of their outside backs dominated matches. Bellamy, though unflappable in public, was clearly aware that the Broncos had the firepower and the structure to challenge not only the Storm but also the defending champions.
As the NRL finals series progressed, it became increasingly apparent that the Broncos had the capacity to disrupt the status quo. Cleary and Bellamy both knew that this was more than just another strong team — Brisbane had the depth, the skill, and the flair to take over the NRL’s spotlight. The grand final loomed as a showdown that could mark the beginning of a new era in the league, one in which the Broncos, under the guidance of coach Kevin Walters, could potentially wrest the crown from the reigning elite clubs. With their combination of experience and youthful exuberance, the Broncos had indeed hijacked the narrative of the 2023 season.
