NRL 2023: Wendell Sailor’s son Tristan has signed with the Brisbane Broncos

The son of dual-code superstar Wendell Sailor is on the verge of an NRL return with the Brisbane Broncos after being found not guilty of sexual assault charges.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos MARCH 31, 2022: Footballer, Tristan Sailor (centre in blue suit and tie) leaving Downing Centre courts this afternoon after being found not guilty. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Tristan Sailor, son of dual code superstar Wendell Sailor, has edged closer to an NRL return after securing a contract with the Brisbane Broncos.

Sailor will join the Broncos club his father starred for when Brisbane kicks off its 2023 pre-season on Monday week.

After being acquitted of sexual assault charges earlier this year, Tristan Sailor has secured a $1000-a-week train-and-trial contract with the Broncos to launch his NRL comeback bid.

Sailor, 24, has not played in the NRL since 2020 with the Dragons after being stood down under the game’s ‘No Fault Stand Down’ policy.

His Dragons contract expired during an 18-month ordeal to clear his name, with Sailor eventually being found not guilty of two aggravated sexual assault charges in March.

A jury took two hours to reach a unanimous verdict following a lengthy trial.

Tristan Sailor was found not guilty of sexual assault charges in March. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Sailor moved to Brisbane shortly after the court case was finalised to seek a fresh start and attempt to resurrect his NRL career with Broncos feeder club Souths Logan.

Sailor was thrust straight into the Hostplus Cup – Queensland’s top competition – following two years out of the game but did enough to impress the Broncos in a Magpies team that collected the wooden spoon.

Now Sailor will get a chance to press his claims for a top 30 roster spot with the Broncos for the 2023 NRL season under coach Kevin Walters – a former teammate of his father.

Wendell Sailor scored 110 tries for the Broncos during a 189-game career which saw him become a Test and Origin star and one of the NRL’s top wingers before he switched codes to rugby union and represented the Wallabies.

Now his son is on the verge of following in his footsteps by turning out for the famous Brisbane club.

Wendell Sailor scored 110 tries for the Broncos. Photo: David Kapernick

The Broncos opted to hand Sailor a train-and-trial deal following his impressive back end of the season for the Magpies.

In his five NRL games for the Dragons since debuting in 2019, Sailor started at halfback, fullback, wing and on the bench, showcasing his versatility.

Broncos recruitment chief Simon Scanlan said Sailor had earned his opportunity for a second crack at the NRL.

“We were aware of Tristan when he moved to Brisbane and joined Souths Logan, we were monitoring him,” he said.

“One of Tristan’s strengths is his versatility. He can play in the halves, fullback or outside backs. That is very attractive.

“Souths struggled a bit this year after having a really good year in 2021 and losing a lot of players to other clubs.

“They didn’t have the same strength in their roster so when Tristan arrived he came into a side that was struggling to a certain extent.

“He made a difference there when he came in and played for them. He went straight into the Cup team at fullback and made it a lot easier for the halves with his experience.

Tristan Sailor is a versatile player. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

“While they didn’t have a great year, he did make a difference to their side by coming in midway through the season.

“It’s an opportunity for Tristan. He’s had a bit of a reset with his career by moving to Brisbane. He is 24 and comes in motivated and hungry to make the most of his opportunity.

“There are opportunities at our club so he gets a chance to impress in front of the coaches and work really hard to prove he has a future at the club.”

Sailor will spend at least the next two months training under the watchful eye of Walters.

If he impresses, he could secure an NRL contract and remain on Brisbane’s books full-time with the hope of pulling on the Broncos’ jersey his father wore in 2023.