When Ben Talty was playing in the New South Wales Cup just a few months ago, he was blissfully unaware of what lay ahead for the rest of his 2025 season.
“I was happy with where I was, but I was always curious to know where I’d end up,” he said.
The 26-year-old signed a train and trial contract with the Broncos in Round 15 and in a whirlwind three-weeks, made his NRL debut just a few rounds later against the Bulldogs.
It was a rapid rise for the middle forward who once thought his dream of playing in the NRL was falling out of reach.
Talty is now nine games into his first-grade career and has been upgraded to a two-year contract extension with the top 30 squad, through to 2027.
He said he was grateful for the opportunity.
“Extending my time here at the Broncos, it’s awesome that I keep getting to live this feeling and something I won’t take for granted,” he said.
It’s something I’d never thought would happen, I just can’t describe what it means to me. Ben Talty.
Talty was a Knights junior and played more than 85 New South Wales Cup games for the Newcastle based side and the North-Sydney Bears.
He was on the verge of first grade debuts, after playing several pre-season trial games with the Melbourne Storm but was never given the opportunity.
Since his debut with the Broncos, Talty has scored three tries in nine games and has quickly become a consistent member of the Broncos forward pack.
He averages 70 run metres per game and barely misses a tackle with a 92 per cent tackle efficiency.
Talty said he’s “learned an awful lot” but has more to give.
“I’ve got a variety of people to learn off like Payne [Haas] and Patty [Carrigan].
“It’s just going to help me get better, being around those guys.
When you go and play at Suncorp Stadium and there’s 40,000 people cheering you on, you never get sick of that feeling and it’s something I want to keep doing. Ben Talty
General Manager of Football Operations, Troy Thomson, said Talty has been a great addition to the squad.
“From the moment Talts got here, he worked hard for his opportunity and had a great attitude.
“He had a smooth transition into first grade and has grown a lot in a short amount of time.
“He has brought plenty of impact off the bench and we are confident he’s only going to get better so it’s great to lock him in for another two-seasons.”
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