Sloan goes from wantaway to nearly saving Dragons

Scott Bailey | April 25, 2023

Six months is a long time in rugby league, particularly if you’re Tyrell Sloan.

Last October, Sloan was one of two St George Illawarra juniors to request a release from the Dragons. 

Unhappy with where his career sat and by his own admission being a “big sook” over Anthony Griffin’s decision to drop him, Sloan wanted out.

But his request was denied, he and Griffin eventually saw eye-to-eye and eventually the No.1 jersey became his when Cody Ramsey was ruled out with illness.

On Anzac Day at Allianz Stadium in the Dragons’ biggest regular-season game of the year, Sloan almost delivered the under-fire Griffin the biggest gift.

Down 26-12, Sloan was involved in everything as the Dragons roared back to life to level the scores.

He skipped past Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii and Luke Keary to set up one try, put Moses Suli into a hole and backed up to step Jaxson Paulo for another and then threw a ball in the lead up to a third.

In eight minutes, the Dragons went from 14 down to level. 

And while they were ultimately beaten 27-26, Sloan can claim to have breathed some life back into their attack with a point of difference outside of Ben Hunt.

“He was outstanding,” Griffin said. 

“He turned the game at different times for us. He saved a try in that left corner in the second half, which was a great save for him to get there and bat it dead.”

Sloan’s performance comes after he was consigned to reserve grade for the majority of last year and limited to eight first-grade games.

“He’s just a bit older and once they get a little bit of confidence and he feels like he belongs at that level,” Griffin said.

“That natural talent you see is coming out more and more. The biggest thing is he saves us a lot of time with his scramble. 

“He has learned how to be a pretty good defensive fullback already.”

The other sign of hope for Dragons fans was his combination with five-eighth Talatau Amone, with the pair having played together since juniors.

The duo almost put the Dragons in the lead before Sloan fumbled an Amone grubberkick, before Luke Keary ultimately kicked the Roosters to victory.

The loss left the Dragons 13th on the ladder with only two wins this season.

The next two weeks will likely be crucial for Griffin with games against teams below them on the ladder – Canterbury and Wests Tigers – with the club’s board to meet again next month.

“Five tries to four, enormous courage,” Griffin said. 

“Heartbreaking obviously. But it is what it is. We just have to get better and keep moving.”