Koori Knockout star Latrell Siegwalt on track to become Reece Walsh’s back-up at Broncos

The Broncos have signed their own ‘Latrell’ - a Koori Knockout gun who is now on track to play back-up to $1 million superstar Reece Walsh.

A bush footy marvel has emerged as Reece Walsh’s new understudy at the Broncos.

Latrell Siegwalt has hit the ground running at Red Hill in a bid to impress new Brisbane coach Michael Maguire in his first NRL pre-season.

Siegwalt was crowned the Hostplus Cup’s rookie of the year in 2024 after helping Redcliffe to a grand final appearance against Norths.

Now he is chasing an NRL debut in 2025.

The departure of Tristan Sailor to the Super League has opened the door for a new reserve fullback at the Broncos and Siegwalt is one of the players in the mix for the role, just a year after being spotted playing in the Koori Knockout carnival.

Former Redcliffe coach Ben Te’o, now an assistant to Maguire at the Broncos, watched Siegwalt in the 2023 Knockout and offered him a deal at the Dolphins.

Siegwalt was so impressive for Redcliffe that the Broncos came knocking with the opportunity of a lifetime.

Latrell Siegwalt has impressed during Broncos pre-season training. Picture: Broncos

“Latrell came up from Wagga Wagga and played for Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup,” Broncos recruitment chief Simon Scanlan said.

“That 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.

“He has come into our club and is working really hard. Every pre-season is hard, they are all going to be difficult, but he is doing a great job so far.

“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.”

Latrell Siegwalt playing for the Gundagai Tigers in the Group 9 premiership in 2022. Picture: Tahlia Crane Photography

Sailor’s shift to St Helens following 16 games at fullback across two years for Brisbane has left the Broncos searching for a new utility in the spine.

Siegwalt, 23, is on an extended train-and-trial contract and will be vying for an NRL debut in 2025.

“He has the opportunity to work his way through to that (Walsh’s back-up), definitely,” Scanlan said.

“Hayze Perham has 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.

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

Originally published as Koori Knockout star Latrell Siegwalt on track to become Reece Walsh’s back-up at Broncos