Brisbane Broncos head coach Michael Maguire has taken decisive action to address the club’s forward depth concerns by signing journeyman forward Ben Talty from the Melbourne Storm system.
The 26-year-old joins the Broncos on a full-time contract, departing the North Sydney Bears – the Storm’s NSW Cup feeder club – with immediate effect.
Talty, who has been part of the Storm’s extended setup since 2023, played in a pre-season match for Melbourne against the Warriors earlier this year, where he made an impact by scoring a try. Despite this, he has yet to make his official NRL debut, with 89 reserve-grade appearances and three trial games under his belt.
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The North Sydney Bears confirmed the move in a statement on Monday, acknowledging Talty’s contributions since joining midway through the 2023 season.
“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,” the club said.
Having started his professional journey with the Newcastle Knights in 2019, Talty’s resilience and consistent performances in reserve grade have finally earned him a shot at the top level. His arrival comes at a crucial time for Brisbane, with their forward pack under scrutiny following a string of disappointing performances.
Injuries and inconsistent form have plagued the Broncos’ engine room, with players like Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki, Kobe Hetherington, Fletcher Baker, and Jaiyden Hunt all facing criticism.
With State of Origin duties looming for key forwards Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan, Talty may be handed a debut sooner rather than later—potentially in Round 18 against the Bulldogs.
The signing has elicited mixed reactions online. While some fans see it as a strategic reinforcement, others have interpreted it as a desperate move amid Brisbane’s turbulent form. However, supporters of Talty praised his work ethic and dedication, with many expressing delight at his long-awaited NRL opportunity.
Broncos great Steve Renouf also weighed in recently, urging the current crop of forwards to honour the club’s proud legacy and lift their performances. “It is a privilege to play for our club… We didn’t see that against Manly and it’s just not there at the moment,” Renouf stated.
With Brisbane entering a critical stretch in their season, Talty’s signing could prove timely as the club fights to regain consistency and keep their finals hopes alive.
