Stepping in to fill the void left by one of the game’s biggest stars, Tristan Sailor could be forgiven for being all at sea as fullback for the Broncos.
The 25-year-old is just seven games into his career, the last two of those filling in for Reece Walsh in wins over the Warriors in Round 13 and Dolphins in Round 18.
Given that Sailor hadn't played an NRL game since midway through 2020, there has been plenty to like about his composure at the back.
"He had a hand in a couple of tries and was very safe at the back," skipper Adam Reynolds said after his side's latest win.
"Defensively he organised our numbers and I thought he was fantastic. He has played two games for us and has done his job both times.
"He doesn’t look out of place in first grade."
Unsurprisingly, Sailor's strong form has seen him recently commit to the Broncos for another two seasons with the Western Suburbs Red Devils junior enjoying his time at the club where his father Wendell enjoyed a stories career.
“I think the Broncos is such a prestigious club in its own right and then to have that sort of legacy behind is so awesome,” Sailor said.
“You see Billy (Walters) walking around too, we used to hang out as kids, and he's got Hugo running around now, which is just unbelievable. It sort of shows that the Broncos has that legacy and it's filtering down through generations.”
As for the best advice he had been given by his dad so far, Sailor said it was more of a mindset than anything skills based.
“I guess he worked on fundamentals with me, but I reckon the best thing he ever gave me was confidence, because he's the most confident person in the world,” Sailor said.
“I think I have got a sort of toned-down version of that, but I'm definitely confident with trying stuff.”
Before making his club debut as the Broncos defeated the Warriors in Napier, Sailor had been starring in Queensland’s Hostplus Cup under the coaching of another former star Bronco.
Sailor has been named a fullback again for Brisbane's match this Saturday's match against the Bulldogs, and also played at fullback for the South Logan Magpies over the weekend, scoring a try as his side defeated the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
Broncos v Dolphins - Round 18, 2023
“I think that's laid a good foundation for me personally here, but Karmichael (Hunt), he's just taken all the boys on board,” Sailor told NRL.com of his Cup coach.
“We have such a team mentality that we've only had two losses during the year and Karmichael's in that mindset where he just wants to build us in towards finals.”
The Broncos are also looking to make their mark on the finals and will be keen to keep their winning momentum going coming off their bye when they take on the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground.
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