The Mole: Broncos 'spy' funnelling 'inside information' from Storm in grand final week
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The Broncos are getting inside information on the Storm from a "spy" in the lead-up to Sunday's grand final.
Brisbane forward Ben Talty was in the Storm's inner sanctum only a few months ago, spending the pre-season and trials with Craig Bellamy and his men.
He narrowly missed the cut for a spot in the Storm's top 30 in February and returned to feeder club Norths Bears in the NSW Cup.
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But then in June, the Broncos decided to give the 26-year-old his chance.
Ben Talty and Broncos teammates. Getty
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire left Talty out of his 17-man squad named on Tuesday - but may still have a change of mind before game day.
"He's actually spent the past two off-seasons with them so he knows a fair bit about their combinations and approach to games," a Broncos insider told Wide World of Sports.
"We'd be silly not to have a chat to him and ask him for any insights in the lead-up to Sunday."
Talty has played 10 games for the Broncos since his move north, winning nine.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Ironically, his one loss was to the Storm by 22-2 in round 23.
Maguire left Talty out of his 17-man squad named on Tuesday - but may still have a change of mind before game day.
Broncos boss eyeing glory after ugly Storm split
If the Broncos win Sunday's big dance, there will be no happier man than Brisbane chief executive Dave Donaghy.
The highly respected CEO was boss of the Storm in 2021 when he decided to take on the challenge of leading the Broncos - and it didn't go down well in Melbourne.
The matter ended up in the Victorian Supreme Court, with the Storm declaring they would enforce a six-month, non-compete clause in Donaghy's contract.
Eventually, the parties compromised and Donaghy was able to make the move north a couple of months early.
But the feeling still remains a little raw.
Donaghy has done a great job re-igniting the Broncos … not bad for a bloke who started his life in league as a humble journo!
Broncos snap up young gun
Broncos coach Michael Maguire and assistant Trent Barrett. Getty
It may be grand final week, but Brisbane are still going about the business of consolidating their long-term future.
The club has signed one of the most promising front-row talents in New Zealand - Rome Fa'anana - until the end of the 2028 season.
Playing for Kelston Boys' High School this year, Fa'anana was named tournament MVP at the Kiwi national secondary schools championship.
Big and strong, he is also versatile and mobile enough to play in the second row, and will join the Broncos' development squad in 2026.
TOWNSEND'S SPECIAL HONOUR
Chad Townsend celebrates after the 2016 grand final Getty
The honours keep coming for retired premiership-winning Sharks playmaker Chad Townsend.
The popular ex-halfback has been made life member of his junior club, Yarrawarrah Tigers, at a function this week.
Townsend played nearly 200 Cronulla junior league games over 13 seasons for the Tigers, winning seven premierships.
The club has already shown how highly it rates the modest veteran, re-naming its home ground Chad Townsend Oval.
Townsend is a polished media performer and looks certain to get a gig in 2026.
