Tristan Sailor has given Brisbane coach Kevin Walters an NRL selection headache after a scintillating display at fullback to ignite a comeback 26-16 trial win over Wynnum-Manly.
The 25-year-old son of club legend Wendell Sailor set up two tries and scored one himself at Wynnum’s Kougari Oval to confirm his talents as a creator and finisher.
In Saturday's other trial match, dashing Dolphins centre Tesi Niu scored a hat-trick in a 58-6 demolition of CQ Capras in Rockhampton.
While Sailor may not play in the NRL season opener in Las Vegas against Sydney Roosters he looms as a genuine No.14 option for the Broncos.
Melbourne mentor Craig Bellamy utilised Ryan Papenhuyzen with great impact as a No.14 when he first came on the scene and Walters has that option up his sleeve with Sailor.
His banana kick off the side of his foot to set up Ethan Quai for a try was pure class. Earlier he had set up Bailey Trew with a sublime long ball to showcase his skills as a genuine playmaker.
Sailor iced the performance with a blistering 40m burst to score late in the game.
"Tristan was the difference between both teams. He is a classy player," Walters said.
"There's different ways you can bring him into the (NRL) squad. We have spoken about that with Tristan.
"I think that utility role from the bench could be an option. Tristan covers a lot of positions. He can play anywhere really, he did himself plenty of favours today."
The Broncos trailed 16-8 with 10 minutes remaining against a gallant Seagulls outfit.
It was then that Sailor and highly-rated 17-year-old halfback Coby Black put their stamp on the game.
Black put in a well-weighted grubber kick for a try when the Broncos were behind and displayed energy and composure.
The story of the afternoon, however, was Sailor who played four games for the Broncos last year when he was outstanding at fullback while filling in for Reece Walsh.
The former St George Illawarra player has started the season with an emphatic message to his coach and another reminder about the rare talents he possesses.
In Rockhampton it was Niu, having lost eight kilograms in the pre-season to assist his mobility, who made an early statement in his quest for an outside back position.
“Tesi was outstanding in that first half. He showed his class and that he’s putting his name in front of Wayne (Bennett) for selection,” Dolphins assistant coach Nathan Fien said.
Fien said Niu's defence was also a highlight while fellow centre Valynce Te Whare and winger Jack Bostock also shone.
“Jack and Tesi were really good. Even defensively they looked really strong on the line and comfortable together. They’ve been working hard over the off-season with their defence," Fien said.
“Val got about 60 minutes and looked sharp when he had the footy. He’s still got to keep working on his defence but I’m sure Wayne will be happy with what he did tonight."
