Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds has led his side to a 30-24 comeback victory over Parramatta, keeping their finals hopes alive.
Needing a win to keep their faint hopes alive, the Broncos trailed by 16 points after 11 minutes after the Eels stunned the home side with a three-try blitz.
But Reynolds led from the front, starting with a one-on-one tackle on Maika Sivo that kept Parramatta from scoring the first four tries of the night.
Maika Sivo of the Eels is tackled by Adam Reynolds of the Broncos during the round 25 NRL match between Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels at Lang Park, on August 23, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Getty Images: Matt Roberts)
Tries to Tristan Sailor and Josh Rogers before half-time brought Brisbane within four points at half-time.
Reynolds then orchestrated the second-half comeback, scoring an intercept try and setting up another to keep the Broncos' season alive.
Speaking after the match, Broncos Kevin Walters made a bold declaration of faith that his side will play finals.
"There is no 'if'. We will make the finals but we have got to play well next week against Redcliffe (Dolphins)," Walters told reporters.
When asked about the Broncos' performance against the Eels, Walters said: "They never gave up. That's how we won the game. They kept going and kept trying.
"Some of the footy we played wasn't that enticing but we got the job done.
"We didn't play well and we managed to win. I am sure if we come up with that next week it won't be the same result."
Earlier, Canterbury kept pressure on the Sharks and Roosters in the race for the top four with a win over the Warriors in Auckland.
The Bulldogs trailed 12-0 early, as the Warriors looked for an upset win in Shaun Johnson's final home game.
But in wet and windy conditions, the Bulldogs tightened their defence and punished the Warriors for errors.
Canterbury ran in six tries to take the 34-18 win.
Relive all the action from our blog.
Friday NRL is over.
Canterbury and Brisbane picked up vital wins, for different reasons.
There were moments when the Warriors and Eels threatened upsets, but in the end, they fell away late in the game.
The Bulldogs are still fighting for the top four.
The Broncos are still fighting to make the finals.
ABC Sport will be back tomorrow for Saturday's NRL action.
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Good night.
reporting by AAP
Brisbane is still alive in the NRL finals race after conjuring a 30-24 comeback win over Parramatta thanks to the brilliance of fullback Tristan Sailor and skipper Adam Reynolds.
The Eels led 16-0 after just 11 minutes to silence the 36,289 fans at Lang Park before the Broncos regained their composure under the leadership of Reynolds to roar back into the match.
Sailor raced 60m to get the Broncos on their way in the 31st minute and after his side went to the break down 16-12, set up the first try of the second half with a cut-out pass to winger Selwyn Cobbo.
Reynolds swooped on a loose Eels pass in the 66th minute to put the Broncos ahead for the first time before a delicate kick for centre Kotoni Staggs had the hosts up 30-18.
Eels forward Shaun Lane scored in the 73rd minute to set up a tense finish.
The victory takes the Broncos to 26 points, just two behind St George Illawarra, who host Cronulla on Sunday.
To play finals Brisbane must win both remaining games against the Dolphins and Melbourne and hope the Dragons win no more than one of their three matches.
Parramatta started on fire with fullback Clint Gutherson sending centre Will Penisini through a hole left by a poor defensive read by Deine Mariner.
Gutherson threaded a superb grubber through for Joe Ofahengaue to pounce and make it 12-0.
Winger Maika Sivo scored soon afterwards and Brisbane's finals hopes appeared dead.
Sivo saved one try with brute strength by throwing Sailor over the dead ball line, and then another by beating Staggs to an Adam Reynolds grubber kick.
A scintillating run by Broncos fullback Tristan Sailor lit up Suncorp Stadium. From a standing start, the St Helens-bound flyer blitzed the Eels defence to score his first try in the NRL since 2019.
Five-eighth Josh Rogers dummied and stepped his opposite number Dylan Brown three minutes later.
The visitors had their chances in the second half but it was the class of Reynolds, the blockbusting running of Cobbo and another warhorse display by lock Pat Carrigan that carried the Broncos to victory.
Parramatta's loss ensured they would play for the wooden spoon in a fortnight when they meet with Wests Tigers.
The Eels start their final set on half-way.
Adam Reynolds kicked the ball out on the full. The ball came off the side of his boot.
The Eels have one set to score and send this game to golden point.
KNOCK-ON. KNOCK-ON. BRISBANE WIN.
There are nervous faces at Lang Park.
The Broncos must win to keep their faint hopes of playing finals footy alive.
They lead 30-24, but the Eels have found a second wind.
Parramatta needs a win to try and avoid the wooden spoon.
The Eels are not done yet.
Shaun Lane has grounded a grubber kick and set up a grandstand finish.
A knock-on from Brisbane put Parramatta in an attacking positon.
Eels halfback Daejarn Asi put in the perfect grubber kick which was grounded by Lane.
Adam Reynolds is single-handedly beating Parramatta.
Reynolds puts up a bomb and Parramatta winger Maika Sivo drops it cold.
Reynolds chased and he picked up the ball.
Six-again. Doesn't matter.
Reynolds puts in a grubber and Kotoni Staggs scores.
Brisbane lead by 12.
The Broncos lead.
Parramatta have made a meal of catch and pass.
Poor Blaize Talagi bobbled a simple catch and pass.
He threw his hands back at the ball, and popped it in the air.
And Adam Reynolds has plucked the ball out of the air and ran 20 metres to score under the posts.
Brisbane lead by six points.
Cobbo corner!!!! Where’s the XXXX?
- PJ
Hello PJ.
Thanks for joining me on the ABC Sport live blog.
I like Cobbo Corner. Certainly makes sense with Selwyn on the wing, rather than centre where he started the season.
Brisbane fans will be hoping Cobbo Corner is visited at least one more time tonight.
Selwyn Cobbo has scored untouched after a great pass from Tristan Sailor.
The Eels are giving Brisbane too many opportunities.
Several penalties and dropped balls have had them under sustained pressure for the past five minutes.
Finally, the Broncos breakthrough and the Broncos are level.
It is 18-all.
The Eels have scored two more points.
Clint Gutherson nailed the shot at goal.
It should have been Brisbane conceding a goalline drop-out, but second-rower Brendan Piakura belted Eels' five-eighth Dylan Brown for a late hit.
That was not needed from Piakura. There was nothing to be gained from that action. Silly penalty.
ABC Sport sideline reporter Zane Bojack has just told the broadcast that Brisbane is down to 16 men.
Kobe Hetherington has failed a HIA during the half-time break.
There is so much to play for in this second half.
A win for Brisbane and their season is alive.
A win for Parramatta and they battle Wests to avoid the wooden spoon.
Parramatta exploded out blocks and scored 16 points in 11 minutes.
Brisbane then began to work their way back into the game.
Two quick tries before half-time has given the Broncos life, in a match they must win.
Parramatta needs half-time.
The Broncos are marching downfield and the Eels are reeling.
Brisbane thought they had scored a third, when Deine Mariner crossed the line.
But three Eels were there to hold up the Brisbane centre.
Mariner was celebrating, but the ref and the Bunker did not see a grounding.
Brisbane go bang, BANG.
Josh Rogers, the West Australian, has stepped off his left foot, beat Dylan Brown, and slides over for the try.
Parramatta put themselves under pressure with a high tackle on Brisbane interchange Kobe Hetherington.
In the blink of an eye, Parramatta now only lead by four.
Brisbane's season has a pulse.
Fullback Tristan Sailor has scored a terrific solo try.
He takes the ball 60 metres from the try-line, palms away from Blaize Talagi, and Sailor accelerates and breezes past Clint Gutherson.
The Broncos have come within millimetres of scoring — twice.
Tristan Sailor was held up by Maika Sivo in a brilliant tackle — but he was penalised for hitting the Bronco high. It was a light touch at best.
Off that subsequent set, Adam Reynolds put in a grubber, Sivo tried to knock it dead, but Kotoni Staggs tried to ground it and was just too late.
If the Brisbane Broncos somehow find a way to win this game, Adam Reynolds will be credited with saving the game.
Maika Sivo looked set to score his second try of the match.
But Reynolds pulled off a one-on-one tackle which stopped the much bigger man.
Brisbane hold on and survive.
After a horrible opening 11 minutes, the Broncos have enjoyed a bit the ball.
Brisbane has been deep in Parramatta territory, but the Eels' defence was solid.
Are the final credits on the Broncos' season about to start rolling.
Brisbane were on the attack when Kotoni Staggs knocked back an Adam Reynolds bomb.
But there was no Bronco there to pick up the ball. But the Eels scoop up the ball and run the other way. It is first tackle on the half-way.
Four tackles later, the Eels have waltzed down to the goalline and Maika Sivo goes in untouched.
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