A horse stud, a trip to Egypt and selling perfume: Ben Talty's NRL journey
The Brisbane Broncos forward is not the type of man you expect to be promoting, let alone selling, Egyptian fragrances.
But that's just a small part of rugged Talty's story in what has been a long haul to playing NRL football.
Talty toiled away in reserve grade for the best part of eight years.
After almost five seasons with his home-town club Newcastle, he moved to North Sydney where he continued chasing his NRL dream for a further three seasons.
Plenty of others gave up on their own and pursued other careers, and Talty admits he considered it on numerous occasions.
Every Christmas and at other gatherings with extended family or friends, it would be a topic of conversation: 'How's your footy going?'
"Good" would be a regular answer, but it wasn't ever "great" because a first-grade debut had still eluded him.
That was until Broncos coach Michael Maguire came calling this year.
A couple of months ago, Talty was playing for the Bears in NSW Cup. Today, he has five NRL appearances to his name and has become a regular in Brisbane's NRL side.
"Around Christmas and everything, they always spoke about it," Talty said of family asking about whether he would make the NRL.
"It was always the topic of discussion: 'How's your footy going?'.
"To be in this position now, I'm forever grateful for it.
"I grew up on a horse stud outside Muswellbrook. My parents always had to take me to [Knights] training. It was a four-hour round trip - Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
"So being able to repay them for this, and be in this position and make them proud, is just such an honour to do that."
A Rams life-member who also played some junior footy with Denman Devils, Talty will go full circle this week when he returns to Newcastle with Brisbane to face the Knights on Sunday.
The 26-year-old, who came right through the Knights' development system, always aspired to debut for the club but left to try and get a crack somewhere else.
"I'm certainly looking forward to it," Talty said.
"That happens.
"I was a Knights junior from when I was 15, and they helped pave the way for this as well.
"I have great mates there, I have a lot of close friends at that club as well. I'm looking forward to going down there and [playing] them.
"It should be a great experience."
Talty is the latest former Knights lower-grade player and Hunter product to begin his NRL career at another club, following in the footsteps of the likes of Canberra forward Zac Hosking and Melbourne back Grant Anderson in making the most of a train-and-trial deal.
At Brisbane, Talty has fitted in seamlessly, living with best mate and fellow Muswellbrook junior Fletcher Baker, and Scone-born Jock Madden. Baker is Brisbane's 18th man this week, while Madden, who is returning to Wests Tigers next season, is in the extended match squad.
Talty credits the duo, and the likes of Brisbane skipper Pat Carrigan and coach Maguire, for helping him hit the ground running.
"You've just got to do the little things right," Talty, who played in the 2018 Newcastle Rugby League grand final for Lakes United, said.
"Madge really respects people who have those effort areas off the ball and things like that.
"That's what I'm trying to do here, just keep my role simple and work really hard."
A seasoned reserve-grade player who is now showing he can match it at NRL level, Talty shapes as a prime recruit for incoming expansion franchise Perth Bears. Given his North Sydney connection, there has already been speculation about him linking with the new side. With his future beyond this season still up in the air, he hasn't ruled out a move west.
"All I ever wanted to do was to play first grade, and the Broncos made that come true, so I'm quite content with where I am at currently," Talty said.
"But the Bears will always play a deep place in my heart, because they helped build the foundation of where I'm at now."
In his long journey to first grade, Talty has also made the most of his time off the field, completing a business degree and launching a fragrance company with Baker called Nefertum. Inspired by a trip to Egypt, it won them the NRL's 'Entrepreneur of the year' award this week.
But while the brand might be taking off, regardless of where he ends up, Talty is desperate to ensure he remains in first grade, which is no surprise given how hard he worked, and how long it took, to get there.
"I've always had that hunger to play NRL," Talty said.
"I chipped away for 26 years. It's really all I wanted to do. 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 away from where I want to be.
"It's a great start, but I'm looking further ahead."
BEN Talty grew up on a horse stud near Denman. He is a life member of the Muswellbrook Rams.
The Brisbane Broncos forward is not the type of man you expect to be promoting, let alone selling, Egyptian fragrances.
But that's just a small part of rugged Talty's story in what has been a long haul to playing NRL football.
Talty toiled away in reserve grade for the best part of eight years.
After almost five seasons with his home-town club Newcastle, he moved to North Sydney where he continued chasing his NRL dream for a further three seasons.
Plenty of others gave up on their own and pursued other careers, and Talty admits he considered it on numerous occasions.
Every Christmas and at other gatherings with extended family or friends, it would be a topic of conversation: 'How's your footy going?'
"Good" would be a regular answer, but it wasn't ever "great" because a first-grade debut had still eluded him.
That was until Broncos coach Michael Maguire came calling this year.
A couple of months ago, Talty was playing for the Bears in NSW Cup. Today, he has five NRL appearances to his name and has become a regular in Brisbane's NRL side.
"Around Christmas and everything, they always spoke about it," Talty said of family asking about whether he would make the NRL.
"It was always the topic of discussion: 'How's your footy going?'.
"To be in this position now, I'm forever grateful for it.
"I grew up on a horse stud outside Muswellbrook. My parents always had to take me to [Knights] training. It was a four-hour round trip - Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
"So being able to repay them for this, and be in this position and make them proud, is just such an honour to do that."
A Rams life-member who also played some junior footy with Denman Devils, Talty will go full circle this week when he returns to Newcastle with Brisbane to face the Knights on Sunday.
The 26-year-old, who came right through the Knights' development system, always aspired to debut for the club but left to try and get a crack somewhere else.
"I'm certainly looking forward to it," Talty said.
"That happens.
"I was a Knights junior from when I was 15, and they helped pave the way for this as well.
"I have great mates there, I have a lot of close friends at that club as well. I'm looking forward to going down there and [playing] them.
"It should be a great experience."
Talty is the latest former Knights lower-grade player and Hunter product to begin his NRL career at another club, following in the footsteps of the likes of Canberra forward Zac Hosking and Melbourne back Grant Anderson in making the most of a train-and-trial deal.
At Brisbane, Talty has fitted in seamlessly, living with best mate and fellow Muswellbrook junior Fletcher Baker, and Scone-born Jock Madden. Baker is Brisbane's 18th man this week, while Madden, who is returning to Wests Tigers next season, is in the extended match squad.
Talty credits the duo, and the likes of Brisbane skipper Pat Carrigan and coach Maguire, for helping him hit the ground running.
"You've just got to do the little things right," Talty, who played in the 2018 Newcastle Rugby League grand final for Lakes United, said.
"Madge really respects people who have those effort areas off the ball and things like that.
"That's what I'm trying to do here, just keep my role simple and work really hard."
A seasoned reserve-grade player who is now showing he can match it at NRL level, Talty shapes as a prime recruit for incoming expansion franchise Perth Bears. Given his North Sydney connection, there has already been speculation about him linking with the new side. With his future beyond this season still up in the air, he hasn't ruled out a move west.
"All I ever wanted to do was to play first grade, and the Broncos made that come true, so I'm quite content with where I am at currently," Talty said.
"But the Bears will always play a deep place in my heart, because they helped build the foundation of where I'm at now."
In his long journey to first grade, Talty has also made the most of his time off the field, completing a business degree and launching a fragrance company with Baker called Nefertum. Inspired by a trip to Egypt, it won them the NRL's 'Entrepreneur of the year' award this week.
But while the brand might be taking off, regardless of where he ends up, Talty is desperate to ensure he remains in first grade, which is no surprise given how hard he worked, and how long it took, to get there.
"I've always had that hunger to play NRL," Talty said.
"I chipped away for 26 years. It's really all I wanted to do. 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 away from where I want to be.
"It's a great start, but I'm looking further ahead."
BEN Talty grew up on a horse stud near Denman. He is a life member of the Muswellbrook Rams.
The Brisbane Broncos forward is not the type of man you expect to be promoting, let alone selling, Egyptian fragrances.
But that's just a small part of rugged Talty's story in what has been a long haul to playing NRL football.
Talty toiled away in reserve grade for the best part of eight years.
After almost five seasons with his home-town club Newcastle, he moved to North Sydney where he continued chasing his NRL dream for a further three seasons.
Plenty of others gave up on their own and pursued other careers, and Talty admits he considered it on numerous occasions.
Every Christmas and at other gatherings with extended family or friends, it would be a topic of conversation: 'How's your footy going?'
"Good" would be a regular answer, but it wasn't ever "great" because a first-grade debut had still eluded him.
That was until Broncos coach Michael Maguire came calling this year.
A couple of months ago, Talty was playing for the Bears in NSW Cup. Today, he has five NRL appearances to his name and has become a regular in Brisbane's NRL side.
"Around Christmas and everything, they always spoke about it," Talty said of family asking about whether he would make the NRL.
"It was always the topic of discussion: 'How's your footy going?'.
"To be in this position now, I'm forever grateful for it.
"I grew up on a horse stud outside Muswellbrook. My parents always had to take me to [Knights] training. It was a four-hour round trip - Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
"So being able to repay them for this, and be in this position and make them proud, is just such an honour to do that."
A Rams life-member who also played some junior footy with Denman Devils, Talty will go full circle this week when he returns to Newcastle with Brisbane to face the Knights on Sunday.
The 26-year-old, who came right through the Knights' development system, always aspired to debut for the club but left to try and get a crack somewhere else.
"I'm certainly looking forward to it," Talty said.
"That happens.
"I was a Knights junior from when I was 15, and they helped pave the way for this as well.
"I have great mates there, I have a lot of close friends at that club as well. I'm looking forward to going down there and [playing] them.
"It should be a great experience."
Talty is the latest former Knights lower-grade player and Hunter product to begin his NRL career at another club, following in the footsteps of the likes of Canberra forward Zac Hosking and Melbourne back Grant Anderson in making the most of a train-and-trial deal.
At Brisbane, Talty has fitted in seamlessly, living with best mate and fellow Muswellbrook junior Fletcher Baker, and Scone-born Jock Madden. Baker is Brisbane's 18th man this week, while Madden, who is returning to Wests Tigers next season, is in the extended match squad.
Talty credits the duo, and the likes of Brisbane skipper Pat Carrigan and coach Maguire, for helping him hit the ground running.
"You've just got to do the little things right," Talty, who played in the 2018 Newcastle Rugby League grand final for Lakes United, said.
"Madge really respects people who have those effort areas off the ball and things like that.
"That's what I'm trying to do here, just keep my role simple and work really hard."
A seasoned reserve-grade player who is now showing he can match it at NRL level, Talty shapes as a prime recruit for incoming expansion franchise Perth Bears. Given his North Sydney connection, there has already been speculation about him linking with the new side. With his future beyond this season still up in the air, he hasn't ruled out a move west.
"All I ever wanted to do was to play first grade, and the Broncos made that come true, so I'm quite content with where I am at currently," Talty said.
"But the Bears will always play a deep place in my heart, because they helped build the foundation of where I'm at now."
In his long journey to first grade, Talty has also made the most of his time off the field, completing a business degree and launching a fragrance company with Baker called Nefertum. Inspired by a trip to Egypt, it won them the NRL's 'Entrepreneur of the year' award this week.
But while the brand might be taking off, regardless of where he ends up, Talty is desperate to ensure he remains in first grade, which is no surprise given how hard he worked, and how long it took, to get there.
"I've always had that hunger to play NRL," Talty said.
"I chipped away for 26 years. It's really all I wanted to do. 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 away from where I want to be.
"It's a great start, but I'm looking further ahead."
BEN Talty grew up on a horse stud near Denman. He is a life member of the Muswellbrook Rams.
The Brisbane Broncos forward is not the type of man you expect to be promoting, let alone selling, Egyptian fragrances.
But that's just a small part of rugged Talty's story in what has been a long haul to playing NRL football.
Talty toiled away in reserve grade for the best part of eight years.
After almost five seasons with his home-town club Newcastle, he moved to North Sydney where he continued chasing his NRL dream for a further three seasons.
Plenty of others gave up on their own and pursued other careers, and Talty admits he considered it on numerous occasions.
Every Christmas and at other gatherings with extended family or friends, it would be a topic of conversation: 'How's your footy going?'
"Good" would be a regular answer, but it wasn't ever "great" because a first-grade debut had still eluded him.
That was until Broncos coach Michael Maguire came calling this year.
A couple of months ago, Talty was playing for the Bears in NSW Cup. Today, he has five NRL appearances to his name and has become a regular in Brisbane's NRL side.
"Around Christmas and everything, they always spoke about it," Talty said of family asking about whether he would make the NRL.
"It was always the topic of discussion: 'How's your footy going?'.
"To be in this position now, I'm forever grateful for it.
"I grew up on a horse stud outside Muswellbrook. My parents always had to take me to [Knights] training. It was a four-hour round trip - Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
"So being able to repay them for this, and be in this position and make them proud, is just such an honour to do that."
A Rams life-member who also played some junior footy with Denman Devils, Talty will go full circle this week when he returns to Newcastle with Brisbane to face the Knights on Sunday.
The 26-year-old, who came right through the Knights' development system, always aspired to debut for the club but left to try and get a crack somewhere else.
"I'm certainly looking forward to it," Talty said.
"That happens.
"I was a Knights junior from when I was 15, and they helped pave the way for this as well.
"I have great mates there, I have a lot of close friends at that club as well. I'm looking forward to going down there and [playing] them.
"It should be a great experience."
Talty is the latest former Knights lower-grade player and Hunter product to begin his NRL career at another club, following in the footsteps of the likes of Canberra forward Zac Hosking and Melbourne back Grant Anderson in making the most of a train-and-trial deal.
At Brisbane, Talty has fitted in seamlessly, living with best mate and fellow Muswellbrook junior Fletcher Baker, and Scone-born Jock Madden. Baker is Brisbane's 18th man this week, while Madden, who is returning to Wests Tigers next season, is in the extended match squad.
Talty credits the duo, and the likes of Brisbane skipper Pat Carrigan and coach Maguire, for helping him hit the ground running.
"You've just got to do the little things right," Talty, who played in the 2018 Newcastle Rugby League grand final for Lakes United, said.
"Madge really respects people who have those effort areas off the ball and things like that.
"That's what I'm trying to do here, just keep my role simple and work really hard."
A seasoned reserve-grade player who is now showing he can match it at NRL level, Talty shapes as a prime recruit for incoming expansion franchise Perth Bears. Given his North Sydney connection, there has already been speculation about him linking with the new side. With his future beyond this season still up in the air, he hasn't ruled out a move west.
"All I ever wanted to do was to play first grade, and the Broncos made that come true, so I'm quite content with where I am at currently," Talty said.
"But the Bears will always play a deep place in my heart, because they helped build the foundation of where I'm at now."
In his long journey to first grade, Talty has also made the most of his time off the field, completing a business degree and launching a fragrance company with Baker called Nefertum. Inspired by a trip to Egypt, it won them the NRL's 'Entrepreneur of the year' award this week.
But while the brand might be taking off, regardless of where he ends up, Talty is desperate to ensure he remains in first grade, which is no surprise given how hard he worked, and how long it took, to get there.
"I've always had that hunger to play NRL," Talty said.
"I chipped away for 26 years. It's really all I wanted to do. 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 away from where I want to be.
"It's a great start, but I'm looking further ahead."
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