From Bears to Broncos: Talty’s rapid road to finals footy

Just three months ago, Ben Talty was running out for the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup but now he’s set to finish his season playing finals footy with the Brisbane Broncos.

The 26-year-old from the Hawkesbury has spent most of his rugby league journey in Newcastle and North Sydney, often being told he was close to making his NRL debut, but never quite given the chance.

That changed when the Broncos came calling.

“I moved from North Sydney, I was living in Paddington, and I made the trip up. I had a meeting with the Broncos staff and they were quite keen,” Talty told 94ddz.com.

"Initially, I thought it was for next year, I didn’t realise it would happen so quickly. They said, ‘Can you get here on Monday?’ So I had to pack everything into my Corolla and drive to Brisbane to start.”

After debuting against the Bulldogs in Round 18, Talty hasn’t looked back - racking up seven NRL appearances on top of 13 matches with Norths and three for Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup.

His rise has been underpinned by the support of head coach Michael Maguire, a premiership-winning mentor who has also guided New South Wales to State of Origin success.

“It’s so good, Madge is such a great person and all he wants to do is get the best out of us,” said Talty, who has scored three tries and tasted defeat only once.

“The culture he’s trying to bring to Brisbane, the way he wants us to play, it’s been massive for the club. He’s someone who really believes in me, and that makes a huge difference."

For Talty, that belief has transformed his career. After years of waiting, he’s now part of a Broncos side on the cusp of a top-four finish and preparing for a finals campaign.

“It was something I never thought would happen. If you told me three months ago that I’d be playing for the Brisbane Broncos in the semi-finals, I’d have laughed,” he admitted.

“So everything that has happened, I’m really grateful for.”

Now surrounded by some of the NRL’s best talent, including Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs, Talty sees his opportunity not only as a reward but a chance to keep learning.

“There’s a lot of talent in the competition, but we’ve got plenty as well. My game is quite simple, but the likes of Reece and Kotoni are players people come to watch, and it’s awesome being on their side. I’d much rather be with them than against them.”

From reserve grade battler to Broncos regular, Talty’s journey shows just how quickly life can change when the right opportunity and the right coach comes along.