Latrell Siegwalt makes impression as potential understudy to Reece Walsh at Brisbane Broncos

Brisbane rookie Latrell Siegwalt has revealed how NRL namesake Latrell Mitchell helped him overcome a bout of homesickness in his bid to be Reece Walsh’s understudy at the Broncos.

Brisbane rookie Latrell Siegwalt has revealed how NRL namesake Latrell Mitchell helped him overcome a bout of homesickness in his bid to be Reece Walsh’s understudy at the Broncos.

Siegwalt caught the eye last week, scoring a try at fullback in a 22-0 trial shutout of Burleigh, and has been retained in a supersub role for Sunday’s NRL Pre-Season Challenge clash against the Titans in Toowoomba.

The Wagga Wagga whiz arrived at Red Hill over summer on a train-and-trial contract and such has been his impact, new Broncos coach Michael Maguire is keen to keep Siegwalt regularly.

At times, Siegwalt admits he has struggled with the move from the NSW bush to the bigger smoke of Brisbane, but the mentoring of Souths superstar and idol Mitchell helped keep his NRL dreams on track.

Latrell Siegwalt is making an impact at the Broncos. Picture Lachie Millard

“Being young and moving away from mum and dad for the first time was hard,” said Siegwalt, named in the No.14 jumper for the Gold Coast trial in Toowoomba.

“Once I knew I could stick a year out, I’d be fine.

“Now I’ve matured a bit and stuck it out.

“I know ‘Trell’ (Mitchell) and he is a good mentor for me.

“When I need anything I can just send him a message.

“It was an honour (to pull on the Broncos jumper) – I loved every minute I was out there.”

Tristan Sailor’s off-season move to St Helens has created a vacancy as Walsh’s fullback deputy, with Bulldogs recruit Hayze Perham, who will wear the No.1 jumper this Sunday, and Siegwalt both in the mix.

The 23-year-old was a revelation for Redcliffe last year, helping the Dolphins to the Hostplus Cup grand final, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his Indigenous heroes.

“Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys legend) was my favourite,” Siegwalt said.

“Then you’ve got Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges, I loved those type of skilful players.

“I was born and raised in Wagga Wagga and my family’s all from Walgett.

“I played local footy down there and then got picked up by Ben Te’o after the Koori Knockout.

“He asked me to come up to Redcliffe. I loved every second of it last year.”

Siegwalt showed some classy touches against Burleigh and says working with Walsh at Broncos training has given him the self-belief to showcase his talent in the NRL.

“He’s really taken me under his wing. I’ve been learning heaps from him,” Siegwalt said of Walsh.

“The goal this year is to stay on full-time at the Broncos.

“I want to be around first grade as much as I can.

“I learn from Walshy at training and then watch highlights of the old fullbacks like Matty Bowen. I’m definitely ready. It will come down to an opportunity.

“If I get it, I will take it.”

Latrell Mitchell has been supportive of Siegwalt. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Broncos coach Maguire lauded Siegwalt’s Burleigh baptism and says the fullback or five-eighth has the skill set to play NRL.

“He was good,” he said.

“The guys have put a lot of work in. Some of them have been going for two or three months and have got a reward from working hard for each other.

“We’ll have a sprinkling of more senior players (against the Titans) but I want to make sure I use this time the best we can.

“Through the trials you can put a bit more work into players.”

Originally published as Latrell Siegwalt makes impression as potential understudy to Reece Walsh at Brisbane Broncos