Ben Talty catapults from complete unknown into Broncos cult hero status - and it could put him on the Perth Bears’ radar

Just eight weeks ago, the 26-year-old was a complete unknown plying his trade before a handful of fans for North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup.

But after being picked up by the Broncos just before the June 30 deadline, the late-blooming prop has been one of the discoveries of the NRL season, playing a handy role in Brisbane’s charge to the finals.

Such is Talty’s remarkable rise, the former Bears bookend is on a train-and-trial deal with the Broncos and he will remain on $1200 a week for the 2026 season as Brisbane battle salary-cap pressures.

But Talty is relishing his big break with the Broncos and will continue his eye-catching form when the Newcastle junior returns home to play his sixth NRL game against the Knights on Sunday.

Likened in stature to legendary Broncos prop Gee, the stocky Talty has become a fan favourite at Red Hill after scoring three tries in five games.

Another four-pointer this Sunday, and Talty might get kicked out of the front-rower’s union.

“It’s something I thought would never come true,” Talty said of his NRL call-up at the Broncos.

“I was working away there at North Sydney for a little while ... you play footy for so long, then you get to a certain age and you start to question whether it’s all going to work out.

“I’m just fortunate enough that ‘Madge’ (Broncos coach Michael Maguire) and the rest of the staff and recruitment team put a little bit of faith in me.

“It means a lot to me, especially when I score a try.

“But to take the field and play NRL, it’s an awesome feeling.”

A Muswellbrook Rams product, Talty only arrived at Red Hill in mid-June after being spotted by Broncos recruitment chief Simon Scanlan, who was looking to bolster Brisbane’s front-row stocks.

But if Talty continues his interchange form alongside superstars Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, the North Sydney recruit could find himself in the shopfront window for the Bears.

New Perth coach Mal Meninga needs to recruit 36 players for the arrival of the NRL’s 18th team in 2027 and with his Bears heritage, Talty would be a cut-price purchase.

Talty is happy at the Broncos but wouldn’t rule out an opportunity for growth at the Perth Bears.

“All I ever wanted to do was play first grade,” he said.

“The Broncos made that come true so I’m quite content with where I am at currently.

“But the Bears will always have a deep place in my heart because they helped build the foundation of where I am now.

“I’ve always had that hunger to play NRL. I chipped away for 26 years.

“I just really wanted to take the opportunity with both hands, but I can’t get too complacent with where I’m at now,

“I’m still a long way from where I want to be as well, it’s a great start, but look I’m looking further ahead.”

For now, Talty, who has won four of his five NRL games, wants to seal a finals berth for the Broncos in a Hunter region where he grew up on a horse stud at Denham.

“I was a Knights junior from when I was 15,” said Talty, a Muswellbrook Rams life member.

“They helped pave the way for this as well. I have great mates there (in Newcastle), I have a lot of close friends at that club as well.

“So I’m looking forward to going down there, seeing them and versing them.

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“The NRL is such a step up. It’s faster, it’s stronger and it’s a lot more physical (than NSW Cup), but Madge has done a really good thing in just keeping my role simple

“Madge really respects people who have those effort areas off the ball and you’ve just got to do the little things right.

“I just keep my role simple and work really hard.”

Originally published as Ben Talty catapults from complete unknown into Broncos cult hero status - and it could put him on the Perth Bears’ radar