NRL news: Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has ‘no regrets’ about rejecting Dolphins offer to stay close to home

Up-and-coming Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan could have easily been on the opposite side of the park when the Dragons play the Dolphins, but his allegiance to his home town was never in doubt.

Dragons stars Jack Bird and Zac Lomax. Picture: NRL Imagery

Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has “no regrets” about turning his back on Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins and revealed why Shane Flanagan can be the man to make him an NRL sensation.

Sloan made a slick start to the 2024 NRL Premiership season with a sizzling hat-trick in St George Illawarra’s 28-4 win against Gold Coast last weekend.

The Dragons looked like a different team to the one that finished 16th last season, new coach Flanagan appearing to have an instant impact in his mission to resurrect the Red V.

The Dragons will be looking to make it two wins on the trot when they return to Queensland to face the Dolphins at Redcliffe on Sunday.

Sloan will once again wear the Dragons’ No.1 jersey, but could have easily been on the opposite side of the park after being approached by Bennett to join the NRL’s newest club.

Sloan, 21, said he was chuffed to be chased by a seven-time premiership-winning coach in Bennett, but ultimately couldn’t leave his beloved home region.

Tyrell Sloan has no regrets about staying close to home. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“It’s home,” he said.

“I think a big part of it was my Nan (Colleen), I wouldn’t be able to leave her and also my brother (Ashley).

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

“In the Covid bubble a few years ago I struggled. Home is where the heart is and I try to represent Dapto as much as I can. I wouldn’t be able to leave home.

“I was very young in the head. 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 with the Dragons. No regrets.”

Sloan’s dynamite start to the NRL season against the Titans came on the back of an interrupted pre-season.

He controversially picked up an ankle injury playing for the Newcastle Yowies in the Indigenous Koori Knockout carnival last October and underwent surgery.

Sloan said he felt like he had let his teammates down, but did all he could to hit the ground running this year.

The Dragons had a strong start to their season. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“That (carnival) means a lot to me and the club gave me permission to play,” he 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. 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.”

It didn’t look like Sloan had missed a beat when he sliced the Titans to shreds.

Sloan said Flanagan had instilled him with confidence to play his natural game.

“He just wants the best for me as a person and a player,” he said.

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

“When I’m at my best, the team’s at their best and when I’m doing stuff for the team, they repay me.

“We just had a lot of conversations that I’ll keep behind closed doors because it means a lot to me, but he just keeps instilling in me to be one of the elite fullbacks and he backs me.

“I’m always willing to learn and put my hand up. I’ve struggled over the last few years, I’ve taken criticism the wrong way.

“With Flanno coming in, he’s made us change. For me and the team to change took a lot.

“This whole pre-season was about change and that’s what we’ve done. If we continue to do that, we’ll keep putting results on the board.”

Jack Bird weighs in on Zac Lomax rumours

-David Riccio

Dragons centre Jack Bird wants to form a long-term combination with teammate Zac Lomax, despite the latter’s reported reluctance to play on the wing.

Bird’s claims have emerged as The Daily Telegraph can also reveal Lomax claimed St George Illawarra’s most important award following his performance on the wing against the Titans last weekend.

Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan has introduced the “Dragons Way” award for any player he believes displays the ultimate level of character, effort and teamwork during a match.

Flanagan handed out his inaugural “Dragons Way” award to Lomax after he ran for 266 metres, scored a try, while also producing a number of tackle busts and line breaks.

The Dragons coach has declared Lomax won’t be let go from his current contract despite reports of rival interest for the skilful outside back.

Dragons stars Jack Bird insists Zac Lomax hasn’t complained to him about his positional switch to the wing, amid rumblings he is unhappy. Picture: NRL Imagery

It has led Bird, who has been chosen at centre ahead of Lomax, to declare his ambition to build a long-term combination with the 24-year-old.

“He might not like it, but he got the job done. He’s a big body, he’s a big target for us to kick too, he’s got good kick-chase and he’s got good chat, so I enjoyed playing inside him,’’ Bird said.

“The longer that we’re together, the better we’re going to get.

“In football you’ve got to build combinations and chopping and changing every week doesn’t help. The longer that me and Lomax are there, the better that we’re going to get.

“Hopefully we don’t have to change too much this year and we can build a good combination on that right-edge.

“Who knows what the future holds, things change in rugby league quite fast.’’

Lomax claimed St George Illawarra’s most important award following his performance on the wing against the Titans in Round 1. Picture: Getty Images

Bird said that Lomax hadn’t complained to him about the positional switch.

“I don’t think Lomax has said it publicly that he only wants to play centre,’’ Bird said.

“He has never come to me and said that I’m angry I’m playing on the wing.

“Obviously he might be frustrated that he’s not playing the position he wants but with the effort that he had on the weekend that might change his mind.

“Look, it’s up to the coach, it’s not up to me,’’ Bird said of why Lomax has been chosen on the wing.

“He’s (Lomax) got to do what is best for the team and I’ve been there before too.” The last few years I’ve played backrow, lock, positions that I hadn’t played before, but I did because it was best for the team.

“Sometimes you’ve got to do that.

“I’m happy to be back on the field and injury free, so if that’s what Flanno wants then so be it.

“I understand where Zac is coming from, he’s played his whole career at centre.

“That’s football, I guess. I’ll play wherever Flanno wants me to play.’’

Originally published as NRL news: Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has ‘no regrets’ about rejecting Dolphins offer to stay close to home