‘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
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."
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘That real hard edge': Dual-code prodigy leads Queensland's new era of NRLW stars
Broncos NRLW superstar Tamika Upton has declared Reegan Hicks is in line to produce a breakout campaign, as the club seek to bounce back from their preliminary final exit last year. Upton, largely regarded as the game's leading woman, will assume Brisbane's co-captaincy alongside Ali Brigginshaw in 2025, having cast aside the hip injury that cost her a place in Queensland's game three State of Origin side. While the former Dally M Medal winner described her time in rehab as a 'blessing' in a chaotic year which had included a trip to Las Vegas with the Jillaroos, she kept an eye on the Broncos' developing talent who loom as the future faces of the game. Hicks – who has been named as 19th woman for the Broncos' opening round clash with the Tigers – came to the front of Upton's mind when asked who was set to become an NRLW household name. The edge forward fresh off scoring the first try in the Maroons' 26-10 defeat to New South Wales in the under-19s State of Origin clash. Loading The 18-year-old managed five appearances in her maiden Queensland Cup campaign for North Devils last year – her sole loss coming in the grand final – but Upton hinted there could be various roles in her future. 'She's been absolutely incredible. Just from the first couple of months of meeting her and how far she's come with the training, she's been jumping into most positions,' Upton said. 'I think someone that's hungry like that and willing to learn and do whatever it takes, I think she has a big future ahead.'
ABC News
3 hours ago
- ABC News
A history of State of Origin comebacks ahead of Josh Papalii's Queensland return
Josh Papalii will play his final State of Origin match on Wednesday night as he returns from a three-year representative retirement to try to help lead Queensland to victory in the decider. Papalii was already a seminal figure in Maroons history and his comeback ensures him a unique piece of history — unless Daly Cherry-Evans plays on and earns a recall next year, Papalii, who made his interstate debut in 2013, will be the last active player from Queensland's legendary eight in a row Origin dynasty. ABC Sport will have live blog coverage of the State of Origin series. Coach Billy Slater will be looking for inspiration, leadership and muscle up front from the veteran front-rower, who is the latest in a long tradition of Origin stars to return from representative retirement to the game's toughest arena. Coming back into the crucible of representative football is no easy thing, even accounting for Papalii's strong recent form with the Raiders. Here's how each Origin returnee has fared upon their comeback to interstate football. The gold standard of Origin comebacks, Langer's selection for the 2001 decider while playing for English club Warrington three years after his last appearance in maroon has become the stuff of legend. At 35, Langer's best years were supposed to be well behind him and there were contingencies in place should he turn down the chance at a recall — Maroons coach Wayne Bennett had also sounded out former Parramatta and Canterbury five-eighth Jason Smith, who was also playing in England at the time. But Langer opted in and inspired Queensland to a famous 40-14 victory at QEII Stadium, scoring a try on one of his state's most famous nights. It kicked off a late-career renaissance for Langer, who returned to the Broncos in 2002 and played all three matches for Queensland again that season. Just a few weeks shy of his 36th birthday, he earned man of the match honours in that year's drawn Origin decider, which ensured the Maroons would retain the shield. Langer's Origin return spoiled the party for New South Wales five-eighth and captain Brad Fittler, who called time on his own representative career after the 2001 decider. The Roosters' mainstay continued his excellent form in the seasons to come and in 2004, with the Blues suffering an injury crisis in the halves heading into Game II, Fittler was asked to return by coach Phil Gould and accepted the chance for one more shot at Origin glory. Fittler's return ended in defeat, courtesy of Billy Slater's miracle chip and chase try, but the champion five-eighth returned for the decider in Sydney. At 32, and 14 years after he became the youngest ever NSW State of Origin player to that point, Fittler enjoyed a dream farewell by scoring the final try of a 36-14 New South Wales rout to finally go out on a high. A stone-cold New South Wales legend for his battles with Greg Inglis and his efforts fighting through a serious knee injury in the 2014 series opener, Morris had a low-key representative retirement following the 2016 series. Three years later, with Brad Fittler short of options at right centre for Game I, he recalled the then 32-year-old Cronulla flyer for his 15th State of Origin appearance. Morris acquitted himself well, scoring the opening try of the night at Lang Park, but was dumped for Tom Trbojevic following New South Wales's 18-14 loss and never played for the Blues again. One of the most underrated Origin players of his time, Sing holds the record for the shortest-lived representative retirement of modern times. In 2004, nine years after making his Test and Origin debuts, Sing hung up the boots for Queensland and Australia in an effort to prolong his club career and spend more time with family. However, after a change of heart, Sing made himself available for the 2005 Anzac Test and subsequent Origin series. He played all three matches for the Maroons but gave it up for good following Queensland's loss in the decider. Izzard's return to State of Origin isn't quite a comeback from representative retirement, but the sheer wait between appearances earns the Penrith stalwart a special mention. After playing all three games for New South Wales in the 1982 series, where he scored two tries, Izzard had to wait another nine years for his second Blues call-up, which came in the 1991 decider. To this day, Izzard holds the record for longest gap between Origin appearances, a mark that is unlikely to ever be broken. Two of the greatest players in their respective states' histories retired from rep football a few years before hanging up the boots, but both came perilously close to backflipping on the decision. For Johns, who made a magical return to the Blue jersey in 2005 after missing almost the entire prior 12 months through injury, it came in 2006 when he seriously considered returning for that year's decider before opting out. Queensland went on to secure a dramatic series win that propelled them to their famous eight-in-a-row dynasty. As for Smith, who was sounded out more than once after he played his final game for Queensland in 2017, the closest he ever came seems to be 2019 when he was in conversation with Maroons coach Kevin Walters but ultimately decided against returning.
