St Helens have emerged as the frontrunners in the battle to sign Tristan Sailor. Rugby League Live understands that the speedster will head to Super League in 2025, and it is with Saints that the 26-year-old is now increasingly likely to land following interest from Hull FC.
The two clubs had both made moves for the Brisbane Broncos talent as part of their squad developments, with both clubs looking for spine players. However, Sailor’s preference is to be located in the North West for family reasons, while the attraction of playing in a Saints side gunning to reclaim Super League glory appears to be a temptation that will prove too strong.
Hull had remained hopeful of securing the services of Sailor, who is the son of Super League icon and dual-code legend, Wendell. However, they have conceded defeat in the race for Sailor, with Saints now primed to finalise a deal.
Capable of playing in the halves or at fullback, Sailor will provide a change in dynamic to Lewis Dodd, who is heading to the NRL at the end of the season to take up a contract with South Sydney Rabbitohs. It remains to be seen where Saints view Sailor’s best position to be, with Jack Welsby also capable of playing across the positions.
Sailor, of course, has connections to Lee Briers, who has been in negotiations with head coach Paul Wellens about joining the club’s coaching staff for the 2025 season. Briers is also at Brisbane and is thought to be a fan of Sailor’s skillset. Saints will need to make a final call on Wellens’ future before pulling the trigger on both Briers and Sailor’s arrivals.
Sailor has made 18 NRL appearances, debuting for St George Illawarra Dragons before heading to Brisbane in 2023. He has made nine appearances for the Broncos this year and has been a regular in the Queensland Cup for a number of years, playing for Souths Logan Magpies.
