‘I haven’t experienced it yet, and I don’t want to go through it’: Why Sloan will always have Latrell’s back

Tyrell Sloan has never experienced racism on a footy field and he hopes better education will ensure he never does.

Tyrell Sloan and his teammates had plenty of reasons to celebrate after the Dragons opened the season with a win. Picture: Matt King / Getty Images

It was only a few weeks ago that Tyrell Sloan was being consoled by Latrell Mitchell after a tough day for the Dragons in the Charity Shield.

It was therefore unsurprising that on Sunday night Sloan received a message from his Indigenous All Stars teammate congratulating him for a brilliant performance which helped the Dragons get their season started with a win over the Titans.

This is the same Mitchell who was allegedly racially abused by a fan on Thursday night at BlueBet Stadium, and it’s why Sloan will forever be grateful for having him in his corner.

The rugby league world has rallied around Latrell Mitchell after he was allegedly racially abused last week. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

“He’s got my back and I’ve got his,” Sloan said.

“As you can see, all the boys got amongst it – all the boys in All Stars Camp. There’s definitely no room for racism, especially in this day and age.

“For him to be one of the premier fullbacks in the game and do what he does, he has a lot of respect from us players. It’s just not on. I’m also a proud Aboriginal man and I haven’t experienced it yet, and I don’t want to go through it.

“I feel for ‘Trell’ and we’ve all got his back.”

Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes is often the voice of reason when it comes to the game’s biggest issues and has called for better education to ensure such vile abuse doesn’t happen in the future.

Hynes and Sloan spent time with Latrell for the Indigenous All Stars last month. Picture: Hannah Peters / Getty Images

“A young kid doesn’t know racism. It probably comes from his parents or whatever comes down,” Sloan said, agreeing that education is the best way to combat racism.

“Some people may say it without any meaning towards it; we need to keep educating people and putting it out there that racism doesn’t stand in this day and age.”

Sloan’s powerful words came just minutes after one of his most polished performances in first grade after a tough 2022 in which he played just eight NRL games for the Red V.

Touted as one of the most exciting young players in the game, Sloan struggled at the back and ended up spending most of last year in reserve grade as reports emerged that he and coach Anthony Griffin weren’t seeing eye to eye.

Whatever happened in the off season must have worked; he returned a more mature player who still has the raw speed to set up and score tries from anywhere on the field.

Griffin praised Sloan after Sunday’s game in a clear sign the pair have mended their relationship. Picture: Matt King / Getty Images

“I spoke pretty early in the year and I didn’t put myself in a good position last year to continue to have that No.1 jersey, and that’s why I probably lost it,” he said.

“This year I wanted to change my mindset and come in to earn the respect of my teammates and my coaching staff.

“I’m still young; I thought last year I was trying to be a bit bigger in my boots instead of finding my way through grade.

“It’s only one game so anything can happen. As long as I keep a cool head and keep getting confidence off my coaches and myself then I’ll be good.”