Shibasaki’s Late Heroics Seal Broncos’ Battle of Brisbane Triumph
In a dramatic turn of events at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, the Brisbane Broncos secured a hard-fought victory against the Dolphins in the latest instalment of the “Battle of Brisbane.” The match, which kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle, was ultimately decided by a moment of brilliance from a player who only entered the field due to an injury to a teammate. Gehamat Shibasaki, wearing the No. 17 jersey, proved to be the unlikely hero, swooping on a crucial kick to score the match-sealing try.
The game was a tense affair, with neither side willing to give an inch. The Broncos had managed to build a lead, but a lapse in concentration just before the hour mark threatened to unravel their efforts. Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam delivered a wayward pass that fell into the hands of the Dolphins’ Jake Averillo. Averillo seized the opportunity, racing away to score and narrow the deficit to 16-12, igniting hopes of a rare “Battle of Brisbane” win for the Redcliffe-based club.
However, any aspirations the Dolphins harboured of a comeback were swiftly extinguished in the 73rd minute. A probing high ball from Broncos fullback Reece Walsh proved to be the catalyst. Both Dolphins’ Jamayne Isaako and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow hesitated, allowing the ball to bounce. It was Shibasaki, who had only entered the fray as a substitute, who reacted quickest. He pounced on the loose ball, demonstrating exceptional anticipation and composure, before crashing over the try line to seal the 26-12 victory for the Broncos.
The decisive try wasn’t the end of the Broncos’ scoring spree. In the dying moments of the match, in the 80th minute, explosive Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs embarked on a scintillating run from deep within his own half. He carved through the Dolphins’ defence with sheer pace and power, adding further gloss to the scoreline and capping off a dominant performance for the reigning NRL premiers.
Shibasaki’s Resilience: A Story of Comebacks
Gehamat Shibasaki’s journey to becoming the match-winner in this crucial encounter is a testament to his resilience and character. He found himself on the bench for the Broncos’ clash against the Storm the previous Friday, a position he maintained for the seventh edition of the “Battle of Brisbane.” His opportunity only arose when teammate Grant Anderson sustained a knee injury in the 23rd minute, a result of a mistimed tackle from Selwyn Cobbo.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire expressed his satisfaction with Shibasaki’s contribution, visibly pleased with the player’s ability to step up when called upon. “He’s another one that sort of showed true character in having to go back to go forward,” Maguire commented. He acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances of Anderson’s injury but highlighted Shibasaki’s readiness. “Obviously, it’s a shame for GA [Grant Anderson] there with his knee. Hopefully he’s OK. But to have someone like Gem there come out and fill in — he’s gone back and worked hard at his game … and he’ll be better for that, too.”
Shibasaki’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. He initially returned to the Broncos on a train-and-trial deal at the start of the 2025 pre-season, but his impressive performances quickly earned him a spot in the club’s top 30. His form continued to impress, leading to a sensational call-up for Billy Slater’s Queensland Maroons team, where he experienced the ultimate success of State of Origin glory in a decider.
However, his career then took a significant downturn when he was disciplined for an alcohol-related incident at training. This led to him being dropped by Maguire for Brisbane’s final-round match against Melbourne. Despite this setback, Shibasaki fought his way back into the team and played a pivotal role in the Broncos’ grand final victory over the Storm, ending a 19-year premiership drought for the club.
Another challenge arose last week when Maguire benched him following back-to-back losses, a decision that saw Shibasaki relegated to the reserves. “It was quite a ride for him last year … with the way he went through things,” Maguire reflected. “Being able to understand how to do that over and over is what we all work through, and I see that he’s gonna continue to get better.”
Looking Ahead
With Grant Anderson still sidelined due to injury, Gehamat Shibasaki is almost certain to retain his spot in the starting lineup for the Broncos’ next fixture. The team will be aiming for a third consecutive win when they travel to the Gold Coast to face the Titans next Saturday night. Shibasaki’s match-winning performance against the Dolphins has undoubtedly solidified his importance to the Broncos’ campaign, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure and his unwavering commitment to the team.
