'Tough' conversation that broke gun rookie's heart
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
The internal competition to secure a spot in the starting line-up at the Broncos is one Michael Maguire admits has forced him to make several "tough calls" this season.
But for impressive rookie Ben Talty, the axe dropped in a match no player ever wants to miss.
Talty has retained a spot on the bench in recent weeks with the Broncos, but will not feature in the grand final after he was overlooked in favour of Tyson Smoothy.
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Smoothy, 26, has been limited to just 10 appearances with the Broncos this season, but his versatility to slip into several key roles saw him recalled for the big dance.
"I've been keen on Tyson all year," Maguire said when asked about his selection shake up at the NRL Fan Fest on Thursday.
"The way he has carried himself throughout the season, he has been patient. When he has played for us, he has played really well.
"He has been a point of difference, too, because he can play a number of positions."
As for Talty, Maguire praised the 26-year-old's work this season.
Watch the 2025 NRL grand final live and free on Nine and 9Now.
"To have to tell Ben Talty [he was dropped] ... he has done an absolutely fantastic job for us over the last few weeks," he said.
"They are the tough ones as a coach, I can assure you that."
A mid-season shift following the club's round 15 bye marked the beginning of the Broncos' resurgence this season, which saw a climb from 11th to fourth on the ladder.
Even though the rise to the top has been impressive, it has not come without significant obstacles, including injuries and heavy suspensions to key players.
In total, Maguire called on 25 different players to don the Broncos jersey this season.
But had he not had a depth of talent to choose from each week, the Broncos may not have found the path to contesting for the premiership.
"The competition within has been so great and is also why we are where we are," Maguire said.
"I got three or four other players [along with Talty] who could well and truly be in this team.
"All the players are really competitive with how we go about the day-to-day stuff. That's the players changing who we are as a club.
"They are tough conversations, but I'm fortunate to also tell players that they are playing too."
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 NRL grand final.
When and where is the NRL grand final?
The 2025 NRL and NRLW grand finals will be held at Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday, October 5.
NRL grand final match day schedule
1.20pm: State Championship grand final: Warriors v Burleigh Bears
4.00pm: NRLW grand final: Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos
7.30pm: NRL grand final: Melbourne Storm v Brisbane Broncos
What time will the NRL grand final kick off?
AEDT (NSW, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania): 7:30pm
AEST (Queensland): 6:30pm
ACDT (South Australia): 7pm
ACST (Northern Territory): 6pm
AWST (Western Australia): 4.30pm
New Zealand: 9:30pm
United Kingdom: 11:30am
Japan: 5:30pm
Bali: 4:30pm
NRL grand final entertainment
Grammy-nominated American superstar Teddy Swims has been announced as the 2025 grand final entertainment. He will take to the stage at 6.30pm.
Australia's Conrad Sewell will perform the national anthem.
Grand final teams
NRL
Craig Bellamy and Michael Maguire named their extended squads on Tuesday.
A reduced 18-man line-up will be confirmed at 6.30pm on Sunday.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 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 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Ativalu Lisati 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan 21. Jonah Pezet 22. Sualauvi Faalogo
Broncos team: 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 14. Ezra Mam 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Tyson Smoothy 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Jack Gosiewski 20. Ben Talty 21. Selwyn Cobbo 22. Jock Madden
NRLW
A reduced 18-player line-up will be confirmed one hour before kick off on Sunday.
Watch the 2025 NRLW premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Roosters: 1. Sam Bremner 2. Jayme Fressard 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Brydie Parker 6. Jocelyn Kelleher 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Keeley Davis 10. Otesa Pule 11. Amber Hall 12. Olivia Kernick 13. Tiana Davison 14. Tavarna Papalii 15. Jasmine Strange 16. Samantha Economos 17. Pani Hopoate 18. Mia Wood 19. Mya Hill-Moana 20. Taina Naividi 21. Eliza Lopamaua 22. Shannon Rose
Sharks: 1. Emma Tonegato 2. Cassie Staples 3. Tiana Penitani 4. Annessa Biddle 5. Georgia Ravics 6. Georgia Hannaway 7. Tayla Preston 8. Ellie Johnston 9. Quincy Dodd 10. Holli Wheeler 11. Talei Holmes 12. Rhiannon Byers 13. Brooke Anderson 14. Filomina Hanisi 15. Manilita Takapautolo 16. Vanessa Foliaki 17. Tegan Dymock 19. Nakia Davis-Welsh 20. Chloe Saunders 21. Dominique Du Toit 22. Sharni Smale 23. Leki Leilua
NRL grand final referees
Grant Atkins has been appointed to referee the NRL grand final, while Belinda Sharpe will take to the field to officiate the NRLW.
Atkins has often been overlooked for major games like the grand final, despite being arguably the form referee of this season.
The NRL has traditionally looked to Gerard Sutton and Ashley Klein to fulfil the role, with the latter appointed the referee for last year's grand final.
Klein has instead been appointed as the Bunker official for the NRL grand final.
Chris Sutton and David Munro have been named as the sideline officials.
What are the odds for the NRL grand final?
At the time of publication, the Melbourne Storm were $1.74 favourites to win the grand final as per Sportsbet.
The Brisbane Broncos are paying $2.10 to break their 19-year premiership drought.
Who will win the 2025 Clive Churchill medal?
Melbourne duo Cameron Munster and Harry Grant join Brisbane superstar Payne Haas as the leading stars to take out the Clive Churchill Medal in 2025, which is awarded to the best player on the field in the grand final.
The odds according to the Sportsbet market at the time of publication are:
- $6.50 - Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Payne Haas
- $7 - Jahrome Hughes and Reece Walsh
- $12 - Ryan Papenhuyzen
- $13 - Adam Reynolds
Previous Clive Churchill medal winners
The past 10 winners of the Clive Churchill medal are:
- 2024: Liam Martin
- 2023: Nathan Cleary
- 2022: Dylan Edwards
- 2021: Nathan Cleary
- 2020: Ryan Papenhuyzen
- 2019: Jack Wighton
- 2018: Luke Keary
- 2017: Billy Slater
- 2016: Luke Lewis
- 2015: Johnathan Thurston
