Reds winger Tim Ryan stars as Brothers make Hospital Cup history

BALLYMORE STADIUM: Queensland Reds winger Tim Ryan starred as Brothers ran away with one of the biggest wins in Hospital Cup Grand Final history, with the Brethren rounding out a remarkable season 51-14 against Wests on Sunday.

It’s the third-largest winning margin in Queensland Premier Rugby Grand Final history, behind the famous 66-point victory by Sunnybank over Gold Coast in 2007, and when Canberra prevailed over Easts by 42 in the early 2000s.

Brothers lost just one match during the regular season, taking out top spot on the ladder with a series of dominant performances, which included an incredible 76-12 triumph over eventual Grand Finalists Wests on May 23.

The Brethren went on to book their spot in the Queensland Premier Rugby big dance for the fourth season in a row, having lost last season’s decider to Bond University. But before that, Brothers claimed back-to-back wins over Wests in 2023 and 2024.

It didn’t take Brothers long to make their mark in the 2026 GF, with inside centre Henry Smith sending a grubber kick into the Wests’ 22 less than 80 seconds into the match. Benetton-bound Wallabies centre Josh Flook chased, with the ball sitting up favourably.

Flook bundled over for the opening points, which sent Brothers fans on the famous Ballymore hill into a frenzy. Fullback Benn Dalle Cort ruled the conversion attempt between the sticks from practically the right touchline.

Western Force recruit Harry McLaughlin-Phillips starred in last weekend’s victory against Norths, and the playmaker was again in fine form on Sunday. ‘HMP’ beat five defenders during a 50-metre break downfield, which eventually led to points.

Wests set up for an attacking lineout soon after, with tighthead prop Timma Faingaanuku crashing over for points. McLaughlin-Phillips added the extras in the 11^th minute, but it was all one-way traffic from there.

Brothers dominated possession as they made their way downfield, setting up for an attacking lineout close to the try line. Wallabies and Reds rake Matt Faessler peeled off a maul and went close to scoring in the 16^th minute.

Faessler was dragged down about one metre shy of the line, but two phases later, Brothers spread the ball wide. Dalle Cort sent Ryan over for his first of the afternoon, scored right in front of the team’s supporters on the hill.

Wests looked to strike back, and actually came close on more than one occasion, but Brothers stood tall time and time again. Then, the game changed when Urayasu D-Rocks-bound No. 10 Finn Prass sent a monstrous kick downfield for a 50/22.

Openside flanker Brad Hemopo ended up peeling off a maul to add another five points to the team’s lead. It was the beginning of a dominant end to the half, with Dalle Cort and Prass racing away for a try each just before the break.

No more points were scored until the 60-minute mark, with Smith crossing for his fifth try of the season. Ryan helped shift the ball from right to left, before Hemopo sent the midfielder over for another significant score.

‘The Junkyard Dog’ completed a stunning hat-trick late in the piece, before a Hemopo penalty goal in the 79^th minute brought a triumphant end to the season. Brothers are the 2026 Hospital Cup champions, which is their third title in just four years.