Sloan ready to prove worth as Dragons land big prop
Scott Bailey |
St George Illawarra flyer Tyrell Sloan says he will wait until the off-season to sort his future, as the Dragons landed a blow in the market by signing Josh Kerr.
Some two-and-a-half seasons after leaving the Red V, it’s understood Kerr has agreed to return on a two-year deal from 2026.
The prop had been off-contract at the Dolphins this year, where he had been one of their most consistent forwards in the club’s rise to a top-eight team.
The 29-year-old was keen to stay, but the Dolphins are battling a salary-cap squeeze with fellow forwards Mark Nicholls, Felise Kaufusi and Kenny Bromwich also unsigned.
Kerr debuted at the Dragons in 2019 and played 68 games for the club, before being released midway through 2023 to move to the Dolphins.
The Dragons are going through something of a regeneration of their pack under coach Shane Flanagan, with Jack de Belin heading to Parramatta.
Michael Molo and Raymond Faitala-Mariner are also both off-contract, as is David Klemmer after he was only signed on a seven-month deal in March.
The likes of Toby and Ryan Couchman, Hamish Stewart and Dylan Egan have all debuted in recent years, and loom as big parts of the club’s future.
The Dragons have made a play for Wests Tigers’ Adam Doueihi, while young winger Sione Finau has attracted the interest of Canberra.
Sloan’s spot in the backline has also been a point of uncertainty, ever since Clint Gutherson arrived and took his No.1 jersey last summer.
The flyer was given permission to speak to rivals earlier this year while stuck in reserve grade, but has since returned to being a noted try-scorer on the wing.
“I’m still contracted here next year and that’s where my head’s at at the moment,” Sloan said on Wednesday.
“I’m not too worried about it at the moment.
“I’m just trying to focus on my footy and worry about that when the off-season comes.”
Sloan insisted he could prove to coach Flanagan he deserved a future at his junior club.
“I know what I’m worth and I’m still learning,” the 23-year-old said.
“Each and every year is a different challenge and this year has been the same. It’s a new position and I feel like I’ve really taken it with both hands.
“Gutho has been great for me this year. He’s come in and really helped me as a player on and off the field … He’s a senior fullback that I haven’t had yet.
“It’s a new kettle of fish for me. I play wing and I haven’t played wing full-time. It’s been a different experience but I’m loving it. It’s been good.”
AAP
