Trial date set for ex-NRL player Tristan Sailor over alleged sexual assault

One-time rising Dragons star Tristan Sailor has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges.

Tristan Sailor arrives at Downing Centre Court on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

One-time rising NRL star for St George Illawarra Tristan Sailor has formally pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in Sydney’s south and will go on trial next year to try to clear his name.

The 22-year-old former Dragons fullback, who’s the son of rugby league legend Wendell Sailor, appeared in Downing Centre District Court on Friday and entered not guilty pleas to two counts of aggravated sexual assault inflicting actual bodily harm.

“Not guilty, your honour,” he said to Judge Dina Yehia, SC, as his charges were read out.

Tristan Sailor arrives for at Downing Centre Court on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

He was supported in court by his dad and his mum Tara as he learned he will face a trial slated to begin on February 28, 2022.

It’s expected the trial will last about three weeks.

Sailor’s matter will next be mentioned in that same court for a readiness hearing on January 21 when lawyers will likely discuss the logistics of his trial.

Prosecutors have previously alleged the woman, 24, was found unresponsive at a Wolli Creek home after she met Sailor at a Bondi pub last October.

Tristan Sailor was a rising NRL star for St George Illawarra Dragons. Picture: AAP/Dan Himbrechts

Wendell Sailor with his son, Tristan in 2016. Picture: Simon Bullard

A court last year was told she texted him the next day and asked: “What happened last night (?)” to which Sailor allegedly replied: “We were playing drinking games and yes we did have sex … I asked you and (your friend) so everything was sweet”.

Sailor’s legal team argued at the time the texts reflected his client’s claim that the alleged encounter was consensual.

Sailor, of Wollongong, was released by the Dragons in September, 2020, before he was charged over the alleged incident.

He tried to resurrect his sporting career in the Illawarra District Rugby competition and trained with the Wollongong Vikings after being let go by St George Illawarra.

But Rugby Australia blocked Sailor under its registration policy that relates to alleged criminality.

He’s unable to register for any league club while his court matter is resolved.