‘The big fella had a few tears': Injuries inspire unsung Broncos' debutant
Ben Talty arrived from the North Sydney Bears midseason on a train-and-trial deal through to the end of 2026, having amassed 85 games in the New South Wales Cup.
Named at 19th man for Friday night, he will replace Corey Jensen, out with a calf injury.
Talty's call-up continues coach Michael Maguire's habit of forging careers.
'We've got some good stories. Ben Talty came in here about a month ago, he's put his head down and is going to be on the bench,' Maguire said.
'He reminded me about how special rugby league is.
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'I was able to sit with him yesterday and talk about how he was going to debut. The big fella had a few tears and gave me a big squeeze, and it actually gave me a real sense of what it really means to play.
'He's been trying, he's 26 now, so it just goes to show how special it is what our game brings. He's a great fella, he's a middle forward and done a bit of time down at the Storm.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Bellamy 'won't expect miracles' from weakened Storm
Craig Bellamy is not expecting miracles from an understrength Melbourne, but luckless Jonah Pezet could be forgiven for thinking his NRL comeback is one. The Storm and North Queensland will be without a combined total of nine State of Origin representatives for Saturday's clash, the most for any game this weekend. Covering for the absences and injuries in the outside backs, Melbourne have been forced to name Joe Chan to play centre for the first time in his NRL career. Elsewhere, Penrith junior Ativalu Lisati has been named for only his third game, while journeyman winger Kane Bradley comes in for his second game of the year. "You don't expect miracles from them," Bellamy said of the reinforcements. "But they've been training with us all year, we haven't got anyone in over the last few weeks. "It (the Origin period) is always tough but it's tough for a lot of teams." But there is a silver lining in the NRL comeback of Pezet, who had been earmarked as the Storm's next halfback before enduring more than a year of knee injury hell. The playmaker was last seen in the NRL in round three last year, rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament playing reserve grade a month later. Some 336 days later in March, Gosford-born Pezet returned to the field for feeder side North Sydney, only to injure the same knee and book in for more surgery. But Pezet has since made it through two games of NSW Cup and will start on Bellamy's bench after making it through captain's run in Townsville. "There's some guys that are going to get a chance tomorrow, a chance to impress and a chance to play a bit of first grade," Bellamy said. "Hopefully they'll grab that with both hands." The Cowboys will need to forge on without Murray Taulagi, who has failed to pull up from a minor knee injury suffered in last week's win over Gold Coast. Braidon Burns will replace Taulagi on the wing but the club expects to have the former Queensland representative back for next week's clash with Canterbury. "We named him this week in the thought he might improve but he tried to get some running done on Thursday and was no good," said North Queensland coach Todd Payten. Craig Bellamy is not expecting miracles from an understrength Melbourne, but luckless Jonah Pezet could be forgiven for thinking his NRL comeback is one. The Storm and North Queensland will be without a combined total of nine State of Origin representatives for Saturday's clash, the most for any game this weekend. Covering for the absences and injuries in the outside backs, Melbourne have been forced to name Joe Chan to play centre for the first time in his NRL career. Elsewhere, Penrith junior Ativalu Lisati has been named for only his third game, while journeyman winger Kane Bradley comes in for his second game of the year. "You don't expect miracles from them," Bellamy said of the reinforcements. "But they've been training with us all year, we haven't got anyone in over the last few weeks. "It (the Origin period) is always tough but it's tough for a lot of teams." But there is a silver lining in the NRL comeback of Pezet, who had been earmarked as the Storm's next halfback before enduring more than a year of knee injury hell. The playmaker was last seen in the NRL in round three last year, rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament playing reserve grade a month later. Some 336 days later in March, Gosford-born Pezet returned to the field for feeder side North Sydney, only to injure the same knee and book in for more surgery. But Pezet has since made it through two games of NSW Cup and will start on Bellamy's bench after making it through captain's run in Townsville. "There's some guys that are going to get a chance tomorrow, a chance to impress and a chance to play a bit of first grade," Bellamy said. "Hopefully they'll grab that with both hands." The Cowboys will need to forge on without Murray Taulagi, who has failed to pull up from a minor knee injury suffered in last week's win over Gold Coast. Braidon Burns will replace Taulagi on the wing but the club expects to have the former Queensland representative back for next week's clash with Canterbury. "We named him this week in the thought he might improve but he tried to get some running done on Thursday and was no good," said North Queensland coach Todd Payten. Craig Bellamy is not expecting miracles from an understrength Melbourne, but luckless Jonah Pezet could be forgiven for thinking his NRL comeback is one. The Storm and North Queensland will be without a combined total of nine State of Origin representatives for Saturday's clash, the most for any game this weekend. Covering for the absences and injuries in the outside backs, Melbourne have been forced to name Joe Chan to play centre for the first time in his NRL career. Elsewhere, Penrith junior Ativalu Lisati has been named for only his third game, while journeyman winger Kane Bradley comes in for his second game of the year. "You don't expect miracles from them," Bellamy said of the reinforcements. "But they've been training with us all year, we haven't got anyone in over the last few weeks. "It (the Origin period) is always tough but it's tough for a lot of teams." But there is a silver lining in the NRL comeback of Pezet, who had been earmarked as the Storm's next halfback before enduring more than a year of knee injury hell. The playmaker was last seen in the NRL in round three last year, rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament playing reserve grade a month later. Some 336 days later in March, Gosford-born Pezet returned to the field for feeder side North Sydney, only to injure the same knee and book in for more surgery. But Pezet has since made it through two games of NSW Cup and will start on Bellamy's bench after making it through captain's run in Townsville. "There's some guys that are going to get a chance tomorrow, a chance to impress and a chance to play a bit of first grade," Bellamy said. "Hopefully they'll grab that with both hands." The Cowboys will need to forge on without Murray Taulagi, who has failed to pull up from a minor knee injury suffered in last week's win over Gold Coast. Braidon Burns will replace Taulagi on the wing but the club expects to have the former Queensland representative back for next week's clash with Canterbury. "We named him this week in the thought he might improve but he tried to get some running done on Thursday and was no good," said North Queensland coach Todd Payten.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Calls to change State of Origin 18th man rule as Reece Walsh, Bulldogs dudded
It's Canterbury's curse they can't escape, and the Broncos might be catching it. The highly controversial 18th man rule in State of Origin has once more cost the Bulldogs a star for this week's important Round 18 clash against the Brisbane Broncos this Friday. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The side have been constantly burned by the problem, losing key players like Matt Burton and Kurt Mann previously without them even getting a run of rep footy. Mann was the Maroons Reserve in Game 1, while Burton was the same for NSW in Game 2 and other occasions in past years. This time, its metre-eating winger Jacob Kiraz whose selection by coach Laurie Daley as a precautionary back-up for Brian To'o will cost the Dogs significant yardage carries and a pair of safe hands. The Penrith winger played through a knee injury in his sides tight win over Canterbury last week, but scan results have cleared To'o of any concern, meaning it is highly unlikely Kiraz will take to the field come Wednesday. Brisbane find themselves in a similar problem, running out against the Bulldogs without superstar Reece Walsh who fills the Maroons 18th man slot and has been in great form since returning from injury. 'It's Kiraz and Reece Walsh, they should be allowed to play in their club teams,' Mark Geyer said on 2GB. 'We don't play (Origin) until next Wednesday. In fact, I think it's time in Origin for us to bring in an 18th and 19th man to sit on the bench — a forward and a back. 'Come on, we've outgrown that '18th man can't play' thing. 'It's just a bit of a bug bear of mine. The 18th man should be allowed to play for his club team. Coach Billy Slater's decision to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback to replace the injured Kalyn Ponga leaves Michael Maguire with their own equally devastating Origin casualty list. In Game 2 it was Ezra Mam. 'It's interesting the 18th man rule, I don't think anyone agrees with the way it is,' Daley said on the Sky Sports radio on Monday. 'Matt (Burton) I think has been selected as 18th man five times, missed club games and hasn't played a part in the Origin games themselves. 'The reason why I picked Jacob, we've got one bloke who is in a bit of doubt and that's Brian To'o. 'We want to give him every chance to play and because the Bulldogs are playing on the Friday night we want to make sure if Brian is ruled out than Jacob has had a full 11 days preparation with us.' Team performance manager Frank Ponissi on Triple M weighed in on the topic, suggesting on Wednesday that picking an 18th man solely from a team with the bye isn't solution for picking the optimal player. 'What makes it difficult is the draw is unbalanced, so you don't know who's going to play. Some weeks that situation … it may favour NSW more than QLD because there's more NSW players not playing that weekend compared to QLD,' he said. 'We've got to get the draw right before we get this particular issue correct. 'Origin has to be played in the middle of the season, it's so big and massive for our game. It's what we do with the NRL around the Origin period, we've got to get that right. So when we can sort that out, I think the 18th man and everything else will fall in line.' Whether the NRL makes any changes to the 18th man rule following the series is yet to be seen as the discussion grows.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Grant puts Origin No.9 bogey to bed ahead of decider
Harry Grant proved he belongs as a starting hooker for Queensland in the State of Origin arena in Perth but he now wants to back it up with another elite display in the decider. Heading into game two of the State of Origin series, won 26-24 by the Maroons, Grant had a 0-4 record as a starting No.9 and a 6-2 history coming off the bench. He is Australia's No.9 and the starting hooker for Melbourne but he had a point to prove in Perth after critics said he should revert to the Maroons' bench. Grant dispelled the doubters with a strong running and passing game that put the Maroons on top. "I think everyone has a narrow focus and I understood what that looked like for me," Grant said. "I just had to knuckle down and make sure I was doing that well. It felt like that was there in game two, but the challenge is doing that again. "You want to be there (as a starting hooker) but you have also got to perform. I understand that. "I think my biggest trait is effort. As long as long am giving effort every week and not leaving anything in the tank in that regard I know I can come away and work on execution and decision making. "As soon as I stop giving effort that's when I'll be into myself." No-one could accuse Grant of lacking effort. He has always been willing and able but also agreed he had to showcase a marked improvement in Perth. "There is an individual motivation and a collective motivation," he said. "I think everyone tapped into that in game two. It's important that we build on that performance and know what we did well and what we did wrong and try and iron out a good performance for Wednesday night." The Maroons' spine suits the way Grant likes to play. Halves Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden are run-first playmakers while new fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is the ultimate running fullback who Grant can count on to be running off his hip. "It is a good spine to work with. We are going to have to recreate that this week during our sessions and meetings," Grant said. "When you have Munster and Tommy who are really strong runners of the ball and then Hammer has got such a genuine feel for the game and always pops up in the right place at the right time and is just so electric with his speed, we can control our games. "In saying that it's a well-rounded picture. Everyone else does their job and it's a flow-on effect." Grant won his first two Origin deciders, on debut in 2020, and again in 2022. He knows what it takes to prevail when the pressure is on. "With deciders you put yourself where you want to be. You want to be having a chance of winning the (series)," he said. "It is about focusing on the week and preparation and what you need to do for the team in the game and hopefully the result takes care of itself." Harry Grant proved he belongs as a starting hooker for Queensland in the State of Origin arena in Perth but he now wants to back it up with another elite display in the decider. Heading into game two of the State of Origin series, won 26-24 by the Maroons, Grant had a 0-4 record as a starting No.9 and a 6-2 history coming off the bench. He is Australia's No.9 and the starting hooker for Melbourne but he had a point to prove in Perth after critics said he should revert to the Maroons' bench. Grant dispelled the doubters with a strong running and passing game that put the Maroons on top. "I think everyone has a narrow focus and I understood what that looked like for me," Grant said. "I just had to knuckle down and make sure I was doing that well. It felt like that was there in game two, but the challenge is doing that again. "You want to be there (as a starting hooker) but you have also got to perform. I understand that. "I think my biggest trait is effort. As long as long am giving effort every week and not leaving anything in the tank in that regard I know I can come away and work on execution and decision making. "As soon as I stop giving effort that's when I'll be into myself." No-one could accuse Grant of lacking effort. He has always been willing and able but also agreed he had to showcase a marked improvement in Perth. "There is an individual motivation and a collective motivation," he said. "I think everyone tapped into that in game two. It's important that we build on that performance and know what we did well and what we did wrong and try and iron out a good performance for Wednesday night." The Maroons' spine suits the way Grant likes to play. Halves Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden are run-first playmakers while new fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is the ultimate running fullback who Grant can count on to be running off his hip. "It is a good spine to work with. We are going to have to recreate that this week during our sessions and meetings," Grant said. "When you have Munster and Tommy who are really strong runners of the ball and then Hammer has got such a genuine feel for the game and always pops up in the right place at the right time and is just so electric with his speed, we can control our games. "In saying that it's a well-rounded picture. Everyone else does their job and it's a flow-on effect." Grant won his first two Origin deciders, on debut in 2020, and again in 2022. He knows what it takes to prevail when the pressure is on. "With deciders you put yourself where you want to be. You want to be having a chance of winning the (series)," he said. "It is about focusing on the week and preparation and what you need to do for the team in the game and hopefully the result takes care of itself." Harry Grant proved he belongs as a starting hooker for Queensland in the State of Origin arena in Perth but he now wants to back it up with another elite display in the decider. Heading into game two of the State of Origin series, won 26-24 by the Maroons, Grant had a 0-4 record as a starting No.9 and a 6-2 history coming off the bench. He is Australia's No.9 and the starting hooker for Melbourne but he had a point to prove in Perth after critics said he should revert to the Maroons' bench. Grant dispelled the doubters with a strong running and passing game that put the Maroons on top. "I think everyone has a narrow focus and I understood what that looked like for me," Grant said. "I just had to knuckle down and make sure I was doing that well. It felt like that was there in game two, but the challenge is doing that again. "You want to be there (as a starting hooker) but you have also got to perform. I understand that. "I think my biggest trait is effort. As long as long am giving effort every week and not leaving anything in the tank in that regard I know I can come away and work on execution and decision making. "As soon as I stop giving effort that's when I'll be into myself." No-one could accuse Grant of lacking effort. He has always been willing and able but also agreed he had to showcase a marked improvement in Perth. "There is an individual motivation and a collective motivation," he said. "I think everyone tapped into that in game two. It's important that we build on that performance and know what we did well and what we did wrong and try and iron out a good performance for Wednesday night." The Maroons' spine suits the way Grant likes to play. Halves Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden are run-first playmakers while new fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is the ultimate running fullback who Grant can count on to be running off his hip. "It is a good spine to work with. We are going to have to recreate that this week during our sessions and meetings," Grant said. "When you have Munster and Tommy who are really strong runners of the ball and then Hammer has got such a genuine feel for the game and always pops up in the right place at the right time and is just so electric with his speed, we can control our games. "In saying that it's a well-rounded picture. Everyone else does their job and it's a flow-on effect." Grant won his first two Origin deciders, on debut in 2020, and again in 2022. He knows what it takes to prevail when the pressure is on. "With deciders you put yourself where you want to be. You want to be having a chance of winning the (series)," he said. "It is about focusing on the week and preparation and what you need to do for the team in the game and hopefully the result takes care of itself."
