Michael Maguire has moved to bolster the Brisbane Broncos’ forward depth by signing journeyman forward Ben Talty with immediate effect. Talty has been in the Melbourne Storm system since 2023, plying his trade with the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup.
The Bears are a feeder team for the Storm, and it saw Talty play in the pre-season comp for Melbourne against the Warriors in February. The 26-year-old scored a try in that game, but has never been handed his first-grade debut in an official NRL game.
The Bears announced on Monday that Talty was departing immediately to take up a full-time deal with the Broncos. “The Club confirms the immediate release of Ben Talty who has been offered a full-time contract position with the Brisbane Broncos,” a statement said. “Talty came to the Bears in Round 14, 2023 and has been an important part of our NSW Cup team ever since. We wish Ben well in his NRL journey.”
Talty started at the Newcastle Knights in 2019 before switching to the Bears four years later. He’s played in three NRL trial games to go along with 89 career games in reserve grade.
Ben Talty could make NRL debut with Broncos
How Maguire plans to use Talty at the Broncos remains to be seen. The high-profile club have a severe lack of depth in their forwards, with players like Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki, Kobe Hetherington, Fletcher Baker and Jaiyden Hunt all coming in for criticism this year.
That depth will be tested this weekend against Cronulla, with Maguire having to decide whether State of Origin forwards Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan back up from Game 2 on Wednesday night. It will be even more apparent in Round 18 when the Broncos play the Bulldogs without their star forwards before Origin 3. Maguire might be eyeing an NRL debut for Talty in that fixture.
Fans had a mixed reaction to the news on social media. While some were happy about the move to boost a weakness for the Broncos, others feel it’s a sign of desperation.
One Bears fan wrote: “Stoked for Ben. Since he walked in the door he has bled for us and really bought into the red and black. He genuinely hurt after losses – and he deserves an NRL shot. Fingers crossed he is a Perth Bear of the future with 10-20 games NRL under his belt.”
Broncos legend wants forwards to aim up
Speaking earlier this month, Broncos legend Steve Renouf called on the team’s forwards to aim up. They’d lost six of their last seven games before a much-needed win over the Titans in Round 14.
“That Broncos jersey has always come with a standard attached to it and it still does,” Renouf said. “It is one of the most well-know sporting brands in the country. It is a privilege to play for our club.
“The players have to do the jersey proud and compete for 80 minutes. We weren’t perfect but we knew if we were down in a game our teammate would pick us up. We didn’t see that against Manly (in Round 13) and it’s just not there at the moment. They hit a rough patch and they just drop the ball.”
Discussion about this post