NRL Grand Final teams: Broncos' cult hero axed

Brisbane Broncos train-and-trial hero Ben Talty has been axed by Michael Maguire in a shock grand final omission.

With Pat Carrigan returning from suspension, Michael Maguire has opted to keep utility Tyson Smoothy in the seventeen after a standout effort filling in for Carrigan against the Panthers.

Talty joined the Broncos mid-season on a train-and-trial in June and has become a regular off the bench, playing 10 games and scoring three tries.

The 26-year-old spent pre-season with the Melbourne Storm, joining them on their army camp in pre-season, before starting the season with the North Sydney Bears.

Talty has been named at 20th man, with the versatility of Tyson Smoothy preferred by Michael Maguire.

Smoothy is on the bench with Xavier Willison, Kobe Hetherington, and Ezra Mam, who has been left on the bench for the second consecutive week after returning from injury via the bench in the preliminary final.

It means Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds will start in the halves, making them the oldest halves pairing in NRL history as Hunt equals the last Broncos’ premiership captain, Darren Lockyer’s, record for third-most games played in NRL history on 355.

Storm are unchanged from the side that beat the Sharks last Friday.

Jahrome Hughes, who played just three weeks after breaking his hand, is right to go again despite fears he had aggravated the injury.

Broncos' coach Michael Maguire opened up on the difficult decision to play Smoothy over Talty.

"I think Tyson brings versatility in the way he has been playing," Maguire said.

"It was a big decision because both players (Smoothy and Talty) have been a big part of what we have been doing in the past few months driving us to where we have got to.

"Tyson just gives us a point of difference off the bench. I like his utility value. He covers lock, hooker and back row if required, so with the way the game is played at the moment and the circumstances, he does bring that versatility to us.

"It was tough news to deliver but as a coach you have to make these tough calls.

"That’s why you have a squad of players. In the past, I’ve had players miss out who are some of the most special people in my life because you can only fit 17 in.

"Even someone like Billy Walters, it’s really hard to see him miss out, but they are a part of our squad and what we’re going through and they will be a part of our build-up for the weekend.

"I won’t detail our exact conversation but Ben’s character has been exceptional.

"It’s really hard because he is such a great human and he has brought so much to the group.

"The players have really taken to Benny. From the moment he walked in, he has been grateful for being in this space and it’s all about succeeding for the club and his teammates, that sums up Ben Talty."

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Ativalu Lisati 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan 21. Jonah Pezet 22. Sualauvi Faalogo

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Ezra Mam 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Tyson Smoothy

Reserves: 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Jack Gosiewski 20. Ben Talty 21. Selwyn Cobbo 22. Jock Madden