Tyrell Sloan sacked: Shane Flanagan reveals why he axed fullback

Shane Flanagan has explained why he has decided to send Tyrell Sloan back to NSW Cup. Sloan scored a try in his first reserve grade game since 2022.

A relapse of defensive deficiencies has led to Shane Flanagan axing fullback Tyrell Sloan ahead of a crucial game against Penrith on Sunday.

Flanagan dropped Sloan to NSW Cup on Saturday after the 22-year-old fullback struggled off the ball during St George Illawarra’s last-start win against the Broncos.

“He has worked hard and he has done some really good things at the start of the season,” Flanagan said. “Over the last couple of weeks he has fallen away defensively. We have some big games so we are sending him back to reserve grade to get some practice.

“He will be back. He is a quality player.

“There are two sides to the ball and he has to work had on that.”

Mathew Feagai, who recently extended until the end of 2026, will get his first opportunity in his four year career to start an NRL game at fullback after impressing at NSW Cup.

Flanagan said Sloan understood his demotion.

Shane Flanagan has a chat with Tyrell Sloan after shortly after fulltime. Pic: Fox League

“He is fine,” Flanagan said. “He knows it’s a journey. He knows what he has to work on. We’re taking some steps this year but there is a lot more to be taken.

“It’s defensively (for Sloan). I have to make sure the first grade team is a chance of winning and we have the best team out there. At the moment he needs a stint in reserve grade.”

Sloan scored a try in St George Illawarra’s 30-24 NSW Cup loss to Penrith where he played alongside regular first-graders Jack Bird and Mikaele Ravalawa. It was Sloan’s first reserve grade game since 2022.

The Dragons had the bye last weekend but just moments following the clash against Brisbane the dressing room cameras captured an animated Flanagan talking with Sloan who had a poor showing defensively.

Tyrell Sloan is great in attack but his defensive frailties are a liability. Picture: Getty Images

“He was filthy with himself after that game,” Flanagan said. “He missed some tackles for some tries. He had an opportunity twice to make a tackle and stop a try and didn’t get it done. He knows that’s his job.

“The conversation was easy because he knows what he needs to work on.”

Flanagan has been working hard with his young No.1 who has unlimited potential in attack however his NRL career has been hindered by his defensive errors. Sloan had started every match this season at fullback after Flanagan used his first pre-season as head coach at the club trying to instil some more toughness to Sloan’s game.

The Dragons re-signed Sloan until the end of 2026 last month.