'Electric' Bronco shows up 'barely sighted' opposite

The Broncos are into the grand final after romping to victory in a dominant second half after breaking the Warriors spirit in their preliminary final.

The match was still in the balance with 25 minutes to play but a moment of controversy involving a blatant forward pass from Reece Walsh that wasn't picked up led to a Broncos try that effectively ended the contest.

The home side went on to seal the victory 42-12 to book their place in the grand final against two-time defending champions the Penrith Panthers.

RE-CAP: How Broncos beat Warriors in prelim final

READ MORE: 'Absolute shocker' sours Broncos victory

READ MORE: 'Siren broken' in weird AFL prelim blunder 

NRL Highlights: Broncos v Warriors - Finals Week 3

So who were the studs and who wee the duds in what became a one-sided contest? Wide World of Sports runs the rule over all 34 players who took the field for player ratings.

Brisbane Broncos

1. Reece Walsh

Threw an early intercept that cost his team but then set Suncorp alight with his brilliant attacking skills.

Rating: 8.5

Walsh's perfect reply to put Farnworth away

2. Jesse Arthars

Recovered from a bad mistake that led to a Warriors try to put in his usual professional display on the flank.

Rating: 7.5

3. Kotoni Staggs

Didn't get much clean ball and made the least metres of the back five – but will be a danger next Sunday night.

Rating: 6

Staggs penalty costs Broncos big

4. Herbie Farnworth

Under-rated player came up with two tries and ran for over 200 metres – he'll trouble Penrith next week.

Rating: 8.5

5. Selwyn Cobbo

Made three line breaks and threw the final pass for Riki's try that broke the Warriors' hearts.

Rating: 7.5

Cobbo's early brain explosion

6. Ezra Mam

Chose his moments to get involved, scoring a super try with his electric pace off the mark.

Rating: 7

7. Adam Reynolds

Made just one run for five metres but led the team around the park well and kicked superbly.

Rating: 7

8. Thomas Flegler

Strong in the middle and produced some fine offloads in attack as the Broncos took command of the middle.

Rating: 7.5

9. Billy Walters

Sent the Broncos on the way to the grand final with two smart first half tries – and topped the tackle count for good measure.

Rating: 8

Broncos players celebrate a Billy Walters try against the Warriors in the preliminary final.

10. Payne Haas

Ran like a centre for 40 metres to set up a try in one of the plays of the night. Finished with over 200 metres yet again.

Rating: 8.5

11. Kurt Capewell

The ultimate professional, playing the full game, creating a try for Arthars and making a heap of tackles.

Rating: 7.5

12. Jordan Riki

Scored the try that broke the Warriors' spirit – albeit from a blatant forward pass – and ran for well over 100 metres.

Rating: 7

Shocking Walsh forward pass missed by officials

13. Patrick Carrigan

The heart and soul of the Broncos' pack, led his troops superbly as they won the forward battle.

Rating: 8

14. Tyson Smoothy

Got 30 minutes of game time without making any solid contribution.

Rating: 4

15. Brendan Piakura

Didn't get a lot of time off the bench but worked hard in defence.

Rating: 5

16. Kobe Hetherington

Quiet game but did little wrong in his short time on the field.

Rating: 4

17. Keenan Palasia

The best of the Broncos' bench men, running for 150 metres and really making an impact when given his chance.

Rating: 7

Stream every game of the 2023 NRL finals series live and free on 9Now

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

One of his team's best despite the big defeat, running for over 200 metres, setting up a try and proving safe in the last line of defence.

Rating: 8

2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Scored two fine first half tries but then let two in by rushing off his wing close to his own line.

Rating: 7.5

DWZ picks off Walsh pass for intercept try

3. Rocco Berry

Made over 100 metres including a line break against the powerhouse Broncos backs.

Rating: 6.5

4. Adam Pompey

Came up with a try assist but saw little ball and missed all three tough conversion attempts.

Rating: 6

Pompey sin binned for professional foul

5. Marcelo Montoya

Finished his best season in the NRL in fine style, running for over 150 metres and scoring a try.

Rating: 7

6. Te Maire Martin

Barely signed, making just four runs for 22 metres in a disappointing display.

Rating: 4

7. Shaun Johnson

Well marked by the Broncos defence who took away his time and space. Struggled to make an impact as a result.

Rating: 5.5

SJ's apology to fans

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

The relentless Broncos defence kept him under 100 running metres for the first time all season. Warriors need a huge game from him to be any chance and he couldn't deliver.

Rating: 5.5

9. Wayde Egan

A key man for the Warriors, suffered a head knock in the second half and missed a game-high eight tackles.

Rating: 5

Egan KO'd by shocking head clash

10. Mitchell Barnett

Another of the Warriors' big men to play below his best, making just five runs for 55 metres.

Rating: 4.5

11. Jackson Ford

Couldn't maintain his superb form of the lead-up games as the Broncos kept his running game in check.

Rating: 5

12. Marata Niukore

Five runs for 45 metres – another key man in the Warriors pack shut down by the Broncos defence.

Rating: 4

13. Tohu Harris

Never stopped trying, topped the Warriors' tackle count and attempted to stem the Broncos' tide.

Rating: 7.5

Tohu Harris braces for contact during the NRL preliminary final match between the Brisbane Broncos and New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.

14. Dylan Walker

Lifted the tempo when he came on from the bench, as he has for much of the season.

Rating: 6

15. Jazz Tevaga

Got just 15 minutes but should have made more than his two runs in that time.

Rating: 4

16. Bayley Sironen

Did little to help his team's cause in his 22 minutes on the field.

Rating: 3.5

17. Josh Curran

A dynamo earlier in the season, was barely noticed when he got his chance in the middle.

Rating: 4

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