Derek Beaumont calls on NRL to respect contracts as he addresses Tristan Sailor links

Leigh Leopards have already landed a major NRL coup this off-season in the signing of Matt Moylan, but now owner Derek Beaumont has commented on the prospect of signing one of those other players the club have been linked with.

After coming up from the Championship the newly rebranded Leopards had a season to remember as they made the Super League play-offs for the first time in their history, whilst also lifting the Challenge Cup for the first time since 1971.

Having such huge success obviously helps attract some huge name signings, hence the arrival of Cronulla Sharks playmaker Matt Moylan, but the Leopards had still been chasing another NRL talent.

That man was Tristan Sailor from Brisbane Broncos with Leigh potentially looking at strengthening their wing and full-back depth, whilst also adding youth to the positions.

Sailor is just 25 years old whilst Leigh’s starting wingers Tom Briscoe and Josh Charnley are 33 and 32 respectively, whilst full-back Gareth O’Brien is also 32.

The talented Sailor has been strongly linked with the Leopards throughout the off-season but owner Derek Beaumont has now commented on the player, taking to social media to address fans questions.

In response to a post on X, formerly Twitter, that asked for Beaumont to “get that captain’s hat on and announce a Sailor”, the Leopards owner put cold water on the rumours.

Beaumont posted: “Sailor is an NRL player and not available to sign just like some of ours who the NRL want are SL players and aren’t available to sign. Contracts need to have substance and be respected both ways. Wishing Tristan a big year in the NRL and all our players a big one in SL”

It would seem that would end the matter but it’s also worth noting that Beaumont takes a shot at the NRL clubs who have been interested in stars John Asiata, Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam as he calls for ‘respect’ in contracts.

With the Sailor move now seemingly dead in the water it begs the question of whether Leigh will make any more signings this off-season.

As well as Matt Moylan the Leopards made the splash signing of Owen Trout from Huddersfield Giants, the English forward being highly sought after within Super League.

Adrian Lam’s side have also added Dan Norman, Louis Brogan, Lewis Baxter, Jack Darbyshire, Kavan Rothwell and Ben McNamara to their ranks for 2024, with the main loss being Ben Reynolds who has made the switch to Featherstone Rovers.