Tristan Sailor set to replace Reece Walsh for Broncos-Cowboys clash, Adam Reynolds in doubt
The Broncos face a nervous wait over Adam Reynolds, with coach Kevin Walters conceding his champion skipper is no guarantee to return for Friday night’s derby against the Cowboys.
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The Broncos face a nervous wait over Adam Reynolds with coach Kevin Walters conceding his champion skipper is no guarantee to return for Friday night’s Queensland derby against the Cowboys.
Already missing superstar duo Payne Haas (knee) and Reece Walsh (facial fracture), Reynolds remains in doubt as he seeks treatment for MCL damage ahead of the round 4 blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium.
Reynolds aggravated a knee injury in Brisbane’s round 2 victory over South Sydney and was subsequently sidelined for the Broncos’ heavy 34-12 loss to the Panthers last Thursday night.
Back-up halfback Jock Madden was brutally outpointed by Panthers maestro Nathan Cleary, demonstrating why Brisbane are desperate for Reynolds to return for the XXXX derby.
But Walters admits the 33-year-old is racing the clock to face North Queensland, with Brisbane’s chief commander to undergo fitness tests on Monday and later this week to determine if he is given the green light by medicos.
The loss of Brisbane’s most lethal attacker, Walsh, adds pressure on Reynolds to stabilise the Broncos as last year’s grand finalists look to avert a 1-3 start to the 2024 premiership.
“The intention was for Adam to be back next week (against the Cowboys) but if he’s not, we’ll push forward,” Walters said.
“We have several guys who can fill that void (in the event of injuries).
“We will do a review of Penrith first, knock that over, and then get ready for the Cowboys.”
Despite criticism of Madden, Walters is backing Reynolds’ understudy.
The 23-game rookie struggled to get into the game at Penrith’s BlueBet Stadium, but wasn’t helped by Walsh’s injury and a listless Broncos pack that was belted in midfield by their Panthers rivals.
Madden has good memories of the Cowboys. Last year, he was outstanding filling in for an injured Reynolds, producing a try assist and two line-break assists in a 30-14 rout of North Queensland in Townsville.
Walters backed the 24-year-old to hit back against the Cowboys if Reynolds is ruled out for a second consecutive week.
“Jock was a bit unfortunate to be caught in the circumstances (of losing Walsh),” Walters said.
“This is a good experience for Jock.
“Penrith are a very good side, we all know that.
“When Jock does play for us, it’s against some of the quality teams, so it’s a good learning experience for him.
“I’m sure he will be better for the run next week. I’ve seen dozens of halfbacks do (what Cleary did) over the years.
“Cleary is a good player, no doubt about that.”
The Cowboys are likely to start favourites and Walters was bitterly disappointed at Brisbane’s inability to handle the adversity of positional changes triggered by Walsh’s fourth-minute departure.
“I am a bit disappointed with our guys as well,” he said.
“We had a 20-minute period where we did some ill-disciplined things, we didn’t defend how we should and we paid a price for it.
“We are comfortable with where we are. We have played some quality teams and we have had some changes to our squad and list.
“A lot of the work we need to do is about ourselves and making sure we get our defence right.
“When there are changes, we need to adjust quickly during the game and get back into the game.”
Walsh replacement revealed for crucial Cowboys clash
Broncos coach Kevin Walters has backed Tristan Sailor to fill the Reece Walsh fullback void for Friday’s night derby blockbuster against the Cowboys.
Walsh’s facial fracture will see the superstar fullback sidelined for four to six weeks, giving Sailor a golden chance to impress in the No.1 jumper – starting against North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.
Sailor was 18th man in Brisbane’s heavy 34-12 loss to the Panthers and Walters rued his inability to use the clever utility when Walsh left the field in the fourth minute with blood gushing from a facial gash.
The 25-year-old was outstanding in pre-season and such was his sizzling form in trials against Wynnum Manly and the Cowboys, Walters seriously considered deploying him as a supersub for round 1.
Now Sailor gets his big break, with the son of club legend Wendell set for mouth-watering duels with Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater and Melbourne superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen over the next fortnight.
“Tristan is the obvious choice to come in, definitely,” Walters said.
“Tristan has got good knowledge of the game and reads the game well, which you need if you are going to play fullback.
The development also vindicates Walters’ decision not to release Sailor, who was linked with a move to English club Leigh Leopards before Christmas last year.
Leigh tabled a lucrative deal for Sailor, but Walters blocked the transfer, believing the nine-game NRL rookie would be a valuable member of Brisbane’s extended squad this season.
Even when Walsh returns, Walters is giving serious thought to relegating interchange hooker Tyson Smoothy and using Sailor as a Mr Fixit in No.14, admitting he needs to review the composition of his bench.
“We didn’t release Tristan for reasons like this,” Walters said.
“That’s why he is still here, to come in and play if Reece isn’t around.
“He will be good for us.
“We had Tristan as 18th man (against Penrith), but we couldn’t use him under the rules.
“We need to pick the right people on our bench to make sure we have good access to cover everything, so I take a bit of the blame there.”
Sailor played four NRL games for the Broncos last season and featured in three victories, including a man-of-the-match performance in Brisbane’s 26-22 defeat of the Warriors in New Zealand.
One of the club’s fittest players, Sailor told this masthead last month he would relish a No.14 bench utility role, either supporting Walsh or plugging another gap in the event of a midgame injury.
“I would definitely love to play that supersub role,” he said.
“With the game being as fast as it is, the utility role is becoming pretty big.
“That’s why I am pushing myself to play a few positions, so I’m comfortable across them all.
“I want to solidify my defence in case I have to go into the middle.
“Being in the 17, no matter where it is, is my goal for sure.”
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