Brisbane’s premiership charge has been built on the back of a whole-squad mentality: a group of men able to fill voids left by injuries, suspensions and representative duties to ensure their winning ways continued.
However, the Broncos’ loss to Melbourne on Thursday night signalled that one of those players outside the game day 17 had become too good to keep in the wilderness, leading coach Kevin Walters to admit he was looming as a potential utility option.
Tristan Sailor of the Broncos and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow of the Dolphins compete for the ball during the Battle of Brisbane at the Gabba in July.Credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Tristan Sailor was dynamic at fullback in the absence of Reece Walsh, orchestrating the side’s attack before the Storm ran away with it late to clinch the clash 32-22.
The son of club great Wendell Sailor finished with two try assists, three line-break assists, a line break, two forced drop-outs, eight tackle busts and 203 running metres.
It continued his strong showing in his past three NRL appearances this season, all victories against the Warriors, Dolphins and Bulldogs.
Capable of playing throughout the outside backs and in the halves, Sailor’s versatility could make him a viable option in the No.14 jumper long-term.
Sailor, seen here during his time at the Dragons, is making a strong case for a place on the bench.Credit: Getty Images
And Walters admitted the 25-year-old livewire was making a compelling case for a place on the pine.
“He was very lively at the back there,” Walters said. “A lot of the attacking raids we had were on the back of his work, and his skilfulness around the place.
“He’s a good player, a very good player, and he showed that.”
Walters would be unlikely to mess with a winning formula for the finals and attempt to force starting hooker Billy Walters to play the full 80 minutes, or mould Sailor into a dummy-half.
In the long term, however, his new two-year deal might need to come with more game time.
Whether Sailor features in the finals, the impact of him and his fellow fringe players allowed the Broncos to rest key men at crucial stages and navigate the typically daunting State of Origin period somewhat seamlessly.
Brisbane veteran Corey Oates, the last surviving member of the club’s last grand final appearance in 2015, believed their depth had turned them into a premiership force again.
“It shows how hard you have to work and how hard you have to train. When you get your shot you’ve got to prove your worth, and he’s done that every game,” Oates said.
Billy Walters celebrates his try against Parramatta at the Gabba with Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam in round 24.Credit: Getty
“I think that’s what makes great teams – the players that are just up … working hard playing for the same position.
“[Sailor] does what he does when he comes out, so does Walshy and so does everyone else. Like we always say, there are not just 17 blokes in this team – there are 30.”
Tyson Smoothy has been the man recently to interchange with starting rake Billy Walters, even earning his maiden Broncos start, with rookie Blake Mozer coming off the bench, against the Storm.
Smoothy admitted he was unsure whether he had done enough to warrant guaranteed finals selection.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve got to get picked first, but I think it’s a really exciting time for the club,” Smoothy said.
