Tristan Sailor, the talented fullback, has opened up about his decision to leave the Brisbane Broncos, his father’s former club. Despite his family ties, Sailor has chosen to move on and has signed a two-year deal with English side St Helens starting in 2025.
Sailor’s departure from the Broncos comes as a surprise, given his father Wendell’s legacy at the club. Wendell, a dual international, played over 300 combined professional games across rugby’s two codes, including stints with the Broncos. However, Tristan has revealed that his experience at the St George Illawarra Dragons, where he was released at the end of the 2020 season, played a significant role in his decision to leave.
Tristan’s father, Wendell, was critical of the Dragons’ treatment of his son, saying Tristan was told he would be in the mix for the team if he had a good off-season but never got any game time. Wendell also expressed his disappointment with the club’s culture, saying it hadn’t been good since Wayne Bennett left.
Tristan has also faced controversy in the past, having been arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault in 2020. However, he was found not guilty on all charges in 2022.
Despite these challenges, Sailor has spoken highly of his time at the Broncos and is grateful for the opportunity to have played for the club. As he prepares to extend his stay at Red Hill into September, Sailor is focused on making the most of his time left at the club.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to have played for the Broncos, and I appreciate the support I’ve received from the fans and my teammates,” Sailor said. “However, I feel like it’s time for me to move on and explore new opportunities. I’m excited about the prospect of playing in the Super League and testing myself against some of the best players in the world.”
Sailor’s departure will undoubtedly be felt at the Broncos, but his decision to leave is a testament to his desire to grow and develop as a player. As he embarks on this new chapter in his career, fans will be eagerly watching to see how he fares in the Super League.
