Home grown Sloan happy to be slaying with the Dragons

Fresh from putting in a career best performance as the Dragons slayed the Titans, Tyrell Sloan has no mixed feelings as he prepares to face Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins side.

Speaking after the match where he scored a hat-trick in the 28-4 win, Sloan said he had "no regrets" about not leaving the Dragons for a chance to join the NRL’s newest team, despite the lure of Bennett.

“It's home,” Sloan said of playing and staying with St George Illawarra, where he is currently set to come off contract at the end of 2024.

“I think a big part of it was my Nan, I wouldn't be able to leave her and also my brother.

“Wayne, we had a lot of good conversations, but just being at home helps a lot …

“Home is where the heart is and I try to represent (that) as much as I can and I wouldn't be able to leave home.

“It's pretty cool when you have one of those guys (like Bennett interested in you), but that ship sailed. It’s in the past and I’m Dragons.”

A naturally attacking player, Sloan started the 2024 season in style, but it came after an especially tough pre-season, where a syndesmosis injury sustained at the Koori Knockout while playing with Newcastle Yowies proved a big hurdle to overcome.

While the club approved for him to play at the tournament that celebrates Indigenous culture, understanding how important connection to community was to the proud Wiradjuri man, Sloan felt that he had let his team and coach Shane Flanagan down after the unfortunate injury set back his preparation for the season ahead.

“(The injury) was in the Koori Knockout and that (carnival) means a lot to me; the club gave me permission to play,” Sloan said.

“It’s sort of a pride thing; I don't do it for the footy. I've always reminded everyone that I do it for the community and for the kids.

“It was unfortunate when I did the injury … because I feel like I let the team down and I don't know if the boys were filthy at me, but I was filthy for myself and for them as well, just because Flanno had big plans and I let him down.

“(Coming back for pre-season) it was sort of starting from scratch.

“It was a pretty tough period at the start of the year, I had big plans with Flanno in the off-season and unfortunately I let the team down and there was an area there where there were a lot of tough chats to get back to where I need to be.”

Since working his way back through rehab, Sloan has credited the confidence placed in him by Flanagan for his strong start to the season so far.

“Just being in that gym by myself and the trainers was a lonely place, but I guess it's all worth it now,” Sloan said.

“Coming back into pre-season with the team in January gave me a lot of confidence. I had to catch up a lot with the fitness, I was a bit behind, but now I'm back and with a smile on my face.

“(Flanagan) just wants the best for me as a person and a player.

“We have a very strong connection and he's always on my back about being better and just wants the best for myself.