NRL 2024: Tristan Sailor eyes up spot in Brisbane Broncos side when Reece Walsh returns

Tristan Sailor filled the shoes of Reece Walsh admirably in round four. And while the fullback jersey is his until the injured superstar Walsh returns, Sailor says he wants to hold a spot in the side going forward.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Tristan Sailor of the Broncos passes during the round four NRL match between Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, on March 29, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Tristan Sailor wants to turn his failed Super League move into a NRL premiership at the Broncos and is hoping coach Kevin Walters keeps him in the team when superstar Reece Walsh returns.

Sailor made a slick comeback to the top grade in Brisbane’s 38-12 thrashing of the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on Good Friday.

Playing his first NRL game of the season, Sailor registered 16 runs for 183m at fullback along with six tackle breaks.

The son of Broncos legend Wendell Sailor was handed the No. 1 jersey after Walsh sustained a facial fracture in Brisbane’s grand final rematch loss to Penrith.

Apart from missing a tackle on runaway Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater, Sailor barely put a foot wrong in his fifth NRL appearance for the Broncos.

He will start at fullback again when the Broncos face the Storm in Melbourne on Thursday night, but Walsh is pushing to return for the blockbuster Battle of Brisbane with the Dolphins in round 6.

Tristan Sailor impressed against the Cowboys. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Sailor, 25, said he was prepared to cover Walsh as long as needed and he hoped to retain a place in Brisbane’s 17.

“It was awesome, I felt really good. I tried to do my role for the team and play to my strengths,” Sailor said of his season debut.

“I’ve been in the 18th and 19th man role, which I try to do to the best of my ability and work at training and help them (top 17) get better.

“To get the opportunity is awesome. That’s why I’m going to seize the opportunity as much as I can and hopefully keep playing the game I can play.

“I’m very confident doing my role and Kev’s confident in me doing that too.

“While Walshy and I are similar players we’re also different in a way. I just really want to play my game and work on my combos with the boys.

“That (staying in 17) would be really good, to try and get a bench spot or something. Hopefully I can find a bench spot. The best way to do that is keep playing good footy.”

Sailor has been revelation for the Broncos in the limited NRL opportunities he’s had since joining the club last year and is arguably too good to be stuck in reserve grade.

He made a remarkable club debut against the Warriors last year and has won four of the five games he’s played for the Broncos, the only loss being to Melbourne in the final game of the 2023 regular season when Walters rested most of his front-liners.

Safe hands. Sailor claims a high ball in the rain on Friday night. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

After playing five games for the Dragons in 2019-20 and sitting out the entire 2021-22 NRL seasons as he dealt with a court case, of which he was found not guilty, Sailor moved to Brisbane to resurrect his career.

The Broncos handed Sailor a train-and-trial opportunity following his Hostplus Cup performances for Souths-Logan and he’s made the most of limited chances in the NRL when Walsh has been unavailable.

Having had to wait until round 13 last year for a shot with the Broncos, and only playing four NRL games in the season, Sailor sought a release during the recent pre-season to take up a lucrative offer with Super League club Leigh Leopards.

The Broncos rejected the request because they wanted Sailor’s class to cover Walsh and he only had to wait until round 4 to play NRL this year.

Now Sailor is hoping to taste the ultimate success with the club that helped him resurrect his NRL career.

“That (England move) didn’t come to fruition so I wanted to work as hard as I could here,” he said.

“I’ve got my opportunity a lot earlier than last year so hopefully I can take it.

Can Tristan Sailor find a way into the starting side when Reece Walsh returns? Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“Walshy is a really good supporter, he’s not someone that gets down in the dumps. The first thing he did the next day (after being injured) was message me and tell me how excited he was for me. It’s a credit to him.

“He’s a great bloke and father. He’s trying to do his best to get back.

“He is very passionate and wants to be back over the next couple of weeks. I’ll keep doing what I do and when he’s back, he’s back.

“It’s a great group of guys with a close bond (at the Broncos).

“Kev’s also really good. He lets you express yourself. He doesn’t let anyone not be themselves.

“That shows in a lot of peoples’ games. Ezra (Mam), Walshy and myself wouldn’t be the players we are if we didn’t have that freedom.

“Sometimes we make errors and stuff up, but we’re all better players for it and it’s showing on the field.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Tristan Sailor eyes up spot in Brisbane Broncos side when Reece Walsh returns