Broncos train-and-trial spotlight: Latrell Siegwalt looking to cement move from Redcliffe to Red Hill

He may not be the most famous ‘Latrell’ in the NRL, but Brisbane’s iteration is ready to make a name for himself. PLUS the rookies, rugby converts and sons of guns to watch in the first trial of the season.

Brisbane have unearthed their very own Latrell, with flyer Latrell Siegwalt rocketing into the mix to be the fullback understudy to Reece Walsh at the Broncos.

South Sydney may have a superstar in Latrell Mitchell but the Broncos are hoping their version of Latrell can be one of the discoveries of the 2025 season as a crucial back-up option for Walsh.

Handed a train-and-trial deal over summer, Siegwalt has impressed new Broncos coach Michael Maguire with his attitude and will make his Brisbane trial debut against Burleigh on Saturday night at Pizzey Park.

The Wagga Wagga whiz will wear the No.1 jumper owned by Brisbane’s first-choice fullback Walsh, who has been rested, and Siegwalt could play a pivotal role in Brisbane’s title ambitions this season.

Brisbane Broncos' Latrell Siegwalt. Pics: Broncos

Walsh endured an injury and concussion-affected 2024 campaign and in his absence, the Broncos often turned to Tristan Sailor, the son of Brisbane wing legend Wendell.

But with Sailor having quit the Broncos to chase a new challenge with English club Super League, the door is ajar for Siegwalt to play a vital supporting role for Walsh this season.

The 23-year-old produced some outstanding form to help Redcliffe to last season’s Hostplus Cup grand final, prompting Brisbane recruitment chiefs to offer Siegwalt his big break at Red Hill.

Siegwalt can make a statement of his NRL bona fides with a sizzling display in Brisbane’s opening trial of the season against the Bears.

“Latrell has come into our club and he is working really hard,” said Broncos recruitment chief Simon Scanlan.

“He is on an extended train-and-trial contract so he will stay with us for a good part of the season.

“Every pre-season is hard, they are all difficult, but Latrell is doing a great job so far.”

Like Sailor, Siegwalt is capable of playing several positions. Tall and skilful at 183cm, Siegwalt is equally adept at fullback, wing or five-eighth and has been dual registered with Brisbane’s feeder club Souths Logan this season.

At 86kg, Siegwalt is still growing physically and could develop into an attacking X-factor with more time working alongside Walsh, Adam Reynolds, Kotoni Staggs and Ben Hunt in the Broncos system.

The NSW bush sensation was a revelation for the Dolphins last season, amassing 2068 metres at 103m per game and scoring seven tries from 20 appearances to help Redcliffe to the grand final.

Scanlan said Siegwalt’s performances at Redcliffe were evidence he has the talent to progress to the NRL and serve as a quality deputy for Walsh.

“That (2024 season) was his first year at that level of football and he did a really good job in two key positions at fullback and five-eighth,” Scanlan said.

Latrell Siegwalt playing for the Dolphins in Queensland Cup. Source: Dolphins Instagram.

“He has the opportunity to work his way through to that (being Walsh’s understudy), definitely.

“Hayze Perham (Bulldogs recruit) has also come in and he can play multiple positions, including fullback.

“Selwyn Cobbo can cover fullback and so can Jesse Arthars but ultimately that will be decided by the coach.

“One of the main reasons we brought in Latrell was that he can play two key positions and play them well.

“He is a natural footy player who runs the ball and has good vision and instincts.

“He was a really talented country player who has come into the professional level now so the challenge initially for Latrell will be adjusting to the training.

“Although he is a little bit older, he is at the start of his NRL journey, but he will get every opportunity to work his way through our system at the Broncos.”

MEET THE NEXT MEMBER OF ‘HOPPA’ CLAN

One of the most controversial surnames in rugby league is making waves at the Broncos with the son of Manly legend John Hopoate eyeing a Brisbane contract upgrade.

Sione Hopoate has impressed new Brisbane coach Michael Maguire with a bumper pre-season that has secured the hulking outside back his first Broncos trial - and a possible longer-term deal.

Nicknamed the ‘Tongan Cowboy’, Hopoate Jr will start on the wing in Saturday night’s hitout against Burleigh at Pizzey Park, sweet reward for a late-blooming 26-year-old who is playing for his future on a train-and-trial deal.

But such has been his outstanding attitude over summer, Maguire likes what he sees in Hopoate and says the son of a gun has the potential to challenge for an NRL spot this season.

Sione is a dead ringer for his old man and when you watch him lace up his boots at Broncos training, you could be forgiven for thinking ‘Hoppa’ is back in action.

At 183cm and 95kg, Sione is a well-built utility back with a maturity and versatility that could make him handy back-up for frontline threequarters Selwyn Cobbo, Deine Mariner, Jesse Arthars and Kotoni Staggs.

“Sione has worked really hard in the pre-season,” Maguire said.

“I’m really pleased with him and that’s why he’s playing a trial this week against Burleigh.

“He has definitely created an opportunity for himself.

“He was coming through our system and we’ve put him on a train-and-trial (deal).

“This trial is a great opportunity for Sione to showcase what he’s got after all the hard work he’s done.”

Sione’s father John was one of the most talented yet reviled athletes in rugby league.

Now 51, Hopoate played 209 games during a colourful 12-year career between 1993-2005 that saw the blockbusting Manly winger represent NSW and Australia’s World Cup winning squad in 1995.

But Hopoate’s fine career was overshadowed by a series of wild antics. He copped 45 weeks in suspensions, including 12 matches for finger-poking three Cowboys players in 2001, and in 2018 was banned from rugby league for 10 years following a brawl at a Manly A-grade match.

Hopoate’s other son Jamil played 12 games for the Broncos in 2020, only to be released at the end of that season following an off-field incident.

But Sione is determined to avoid trouble and arrives at the Broncos after two seasons with feeder-club Wynnum Manly, with whom he scored 14 tries from 39 Hostplus Cup appearances, including 20 games last year.

Fellow Broncos outside back Delouise Hoeter lauded Hopoate’s application and says he isn’t fazed by the burden of a controversial footballing surname.

Train-and-tribalist Latrell Siegwalt.

Brisbane Broncos player Va’a Semu.

“Sione is his own person and stands up,” Hoeter said.

“He says he is the Tongan Cowboy.

“He went to the Luke Combs concert (at Suncorp Stadium a fortnight ago) and he thinks he is a country boy.

“He knows that there has been a bit of a past (with the Hopoate surname) but is making his own legacy for himself and he gets to make a statement on the weekend.

“He has been awesome. He has done really well in this pre-season, he has gotten stronger, he came pretty high up in testing.

“Sione has definitely been one of the biggest improvers in the club.

“He is a bit of a joker, but when he rolls up the sleeves, he is really good at training.

“His family would be proud of him and I’m sure that all 20 of them are going to be there at Burleigh on Saturday night.”