What’s the Buzz: Dapto youngster identified as Dufty replacement, Warriors set to sign DWZ

He’s the local product that prompted St George Illawarra to let fan favourite Matt Dufty leave with a running style so smooth he appears to glide.

Tyrell Sloan in action for the Steelers in SG Ball. Picture: David Swift.

This is the teenager who has been compared to old Cronulla Sharks superstar David Peachey.

He’s also one of the major reasons St George Illawarra has controversially decided to punt fan favourite Matt Dufty at season’s end.

Tyrell Sloan is on a development contract in St George Illawarra’s NRL squad and has been earmarked as a future first grade fullback.

The 19-year-old Indigenous star is a Dapto Canaries junior who recently played in the S.G Ball grand final.

“He’s so similar to David Peachey with that gliding running style it’s not funny,” said one south coast footy scout. “He’s going to be a special player.”

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Tyrell Sloan is a rising star for the Dragons. Picture: David Swift.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin decided to let Dufty go as he has two fullback options for the future – winger Cody Ramsey and Sloan.

They point out many of the great fullbacks like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Anthony Minichiello started as wingers before switching.

Dufty’s upcoming departure is a huge issue among the Red V Army. There has been a massive backlash from angry fans and 11,000 signatures on a petition to keep the dashing 25-year-old fullback at the club.

Publicly, Griffin and St George Illawarra officials refuse to criticise the fullback. However, there are weaknesses with his defence that are obvious.

There is also a line of thought he plays like a champion against the weaker teams (Broncos last round) but tends to go missing in the high pressure matches against stronger opposition.

Phil Gould recently said on Channel 9 he was leaving because of issues away from football. The Dragons have rubbished those claims and insist he is a good person.

NRL RIVALS SET TO SWOOP ON DWZ

The New Zealand Warriors are on the verge of signing the former Kiwi Test captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak for the remainder of the season.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak could join the Warriors for the rest of the season. Picture: Robb Cox/NRL Photos

It depends on the Bulldogs contributing towards the deal to make it attractive enough for Warriors coach Nathan Brown.

The Bulldogs have Watene-Zelezniak on an $800,000 deal for next year and will have to contribute half of that. He has been disappointing since joining the Dogs from Penrith. The Warriors need a replacement for winger Ken Maumalo, who has joined the Wests Tigers.