NRL 2024: Tyrell Sloan on Dragons contract future, Phil Gould criticism, social media and Anzac Day

In an exclusive and candid talk, Tyrell Sloan has opened up on his desire to extend his future with the Dragons, how he’s learned to deal with criticism and Shane Flangan’s impact at the Dragons.

Tyrell Sloan. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Tyrell Sloan says he “doesn’t want to be anywhere else” in an impassioned plea to Dragons management to extend his future at the club.

The St George Illawarra fullback has also spoken of his plan to block out external criticism by switching off social media, while lifting the lid on coach Shane Flanagan’s undeniable impact on the club.

In the wake of a stunning 80-metre try against the New Zealand Warriors, Sloan has shifted his focus towards an Anzac Day clash with the Sydney Roosters on Thursday, a return to the scene of Allianz Stadium, where the 21-year-old starred in the corresponding match last year.

THE CONTRACT CALL

Sloan’s future in the Red-V remains at the negotiation table with the off-contract fullback giving no thought to leaving the club, despite being in the final months of his current Dragons deal.

“I definitely want to stay,’’ Sloan said.

“This is home. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is my club.

“It’s massive being here as a local junior. I live in Dapto. I love Dapto.

“Most people see Dapto as a not-so-good place, but I love the place.

“Being from that area, not much good stuff comes out of there, so for me, something I want to do after footy is give back to the kids and show that whatever you want to be, in any line of work, you can become something.

Tyrell Sloan wants to stay at the Dragons. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

“That’s what I want to continue to show everyone. That it’s a place that people can make it out of and succeed.

“Everyone knows that I grew-up in the housing commission and I was so happy when I bought my first house.

“But my brother laid that platform by buying a house at 21 and I was lucky enough to do the same thing.

“We chose the right path and that’s what I want to continue to do, to be a role model for the next generation that you can be whatever you want to be, not just from Dapto, but anywhere.

“Hopefully something comes up soon.’’

THE STATEMENT TRY

When Sloan latched onto a Ben Hunt offload against the Warriors last Friday night, the WIN Stadium grandstand rose as one.

A beautiful mover, Sloan let down with graceful speed from his own 20-metre line before burning away from the cover defence of Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

“The Warriors are a good side that after an error they don’t look to lay a platform, they look to go for it straight away,’’ Sloan said.

“That’s something that we haven’t done well as a team.

Sloan sprints away to score a spectacular 80m try. Picture: NRL Photos

“‘Dozer’ (Hunt) knows I’m probably a little faster than him, so he found the right person.

“I honestly wanted to come back on his (Watene-Zelezniak) inside, my legs were gone.

“We’d been defending our line and I was very tired.

“The line organisation (in defence) takes it out of you more than the attack and so I was tired.

“But the boys had done the work in defence and it was my job to then pay them back with my attack.’’

FLANNO’S FIRST TWO TACKLE MENTALITY

The Dragons head into an Anzac Day blockbuster against the Roosters following their most complete 80 minutes of the season against the Warriors.

Sloan gave an insight into the hardened philosophy that coach Shane Flanagan has been trying to input into the side.

“We’ve spoken about celebrating the little wins,’’ Sloan said.

“We’d turned them (Warriors) away on our line and our focus was our first two tackles after everything, both in attack and defence.

“If we turned it over, or they turned it over, it’s about jumping the fence, with a spring in our next play.

“That’s something that we’re getting better at as a team.

“But ultimately, our defence on the line laid the platform for our win.’’

Sloan has drawn inspiration from Ben Hunt over taking criticism.

REACTION TO ‘TOUGHEN UP’ CRITICISM

Sloan was shifted from fullback to the wing during St George Illawarra’s loss to Newcastle a fortnight ago, with Flanagan blunt in his reasoning.

“He’s a young kid and he needs to learn, it’s a tough game and you need to put your head where people are going to put their boots and there’s going to be a collision and it didn’t happen in the first three tries, so I needed to make a change and I’m not afraid to do those type of things,” Flanagan said at the time.

Phil Gould then declared Sloan was a target in defence and that he would continue to be if he didn’t toughen up.

Sloan said he didn’t listen to Gould’s comments, largely because he’s been learning how to block out the external noise.

“That’s something that I have taken advice from our older players,’’ Sloan said.

“Benny Hunt doesn’t have any social media.

“It helps when you have a good week, but it’s worse when you have a bad week.

“The only people I listen to and trust are these people in these four walls.

“They care about me.’’

Tyrell Sloan was tremendous in the 2023 Anzac Day clash with the Roosters. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

ANZAC DAY MEMORIES

With fresh memories of a try, a try assist and 142 run metres against the Roosters last year, Sloan didn’t need prodding when asked about his feelings towards playing on Anzac Day.

“I’m so keen. It’s a massive game,’’ Sloan said.

“I remember last year being exposed to how big the Anzacs are for us, not just for the game of footy, but all of Australia and New Zealand.

“I have so much respect for anyone that goes on the front line and protects our country and New Zealand.

“It’s not about us as a football game, it’s about us paying respect to them and to show how proud we are of them.

“You can’t not get up for it.’’