Broncos enlist AFL long bomber as Pulu joins trial list

Broncos half Tom Dearden has enlisted cross-code help from one of the AFL's longest punters as former Warriors prop Leivaha Pulu trials for a 2021 contract at Red Hill.

Brisbane Lions veteran Daniel Rich joined Dearden and teammates at Red Hill on Tuesday, working with the Broncos outside backs and playmakers on kicking and catching drills.

Rich, who has played over 200 games in the Lions backline, is a renowned long-bomber in the rival code, famously potting a 2009 goal from 70-odd metres out against Port Adelaide.

Dearden himself has made a bright start to his career off the boot playing behind a highly vaunted, but badly beaten forward pack in 2020.

His own 226 kicking metres per game often came while chasing territory given Brisbane's average running metres (1448) were dwarfed by the 1862 they conceded, an average of 414 each outing.

Rich told reporters that long punting has been a focus of one-on-one sessions he and Dearden have worked through in recent weeks, noting improvement in the youngster's kicking game as a result.

"I've done a few sessions with Tommy Deardon in the last few weeks, just one-on-one and it's been good fun," Rich said on Tuesday.

"He's a great young man, good fella, I've really enjoyed that. He's willing to learn and take a few things on.

"I don't want to pump myself up too much but I have [noticed improvement]; he wanted to work on those longer ones and he's been fantastic.

"A few little tweaks make a big difference and he's going really well."

Meanwhile, Pulu is the latest rugby league journeyman to lob at Broncos training, joining Albert Kelly on a train and trial deal this week.

The pair have joined Norths Devils and Souths Logan respectively and have a summer at Red Hill to impress new coach Kevin Walters, who is looking to bolster his squad with experience at a bargain price.

Pulu's 2020 campaign was cut short when his wife was involved in a car accident that saw him rush home to New Zealand from the Warriors' Central Coast camp.

The 30-year-old has been free agent since his Warriors deal expired last month, having played 58 NRL games in stints with both the Kiwi club and Titans since 2016.

Brisbane currently has four open roster spots for next season, with former Cowboy John Asiata expected to take one on as negotiations continue.

Former Titans and PNG centre David Mead is also close to signing off on a one-year deal, having most recently plied his trade with French club Catalans.