‘Insanity’: Matty Johns slams Dragons’ surprise call after Eels thrashing

The Dragons were thrashed by Parramatta and a surprising selection call raised the eyebrows of many including Matty Johns.

Matty Johns couldn't believe the Dragons dropped Tyrell Sloan.

Matty Johns has labelled St George Illawarra’s decision to drop young gun Tyrell Sloan at the last minute for their game against Parramatta as “insanity”.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin raised eyebrows when Sloan was omitted for Sunday’s clash and forced to play in reserve grade instead.

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The fullback’s exclusion triggered a reshuffle of the backline, with Moses Mbye switching to fullback and Jack Bird going to five-eighth as Andrew McCullough returned from injury at hooker.

The change-up didn’t pay off, with Mbye all at sea at fullback.

Parramatta dominated, running in eight tries to claim a 48-14 win that consolidated their spot in the top four early in the season.

Johns was dumbfounded when asked what he made of the Dragons’ decision to drop Sloan for the Round 4 game.

“Insanity,” he responded, on Fox League’s Sunday Night with Matty Johns.

“Could not believe it. He’s going to be a superstar. I could not believe it. I thought he must have had an injury.

Matty Johns was shocked the Dragons dropped Tyrell Sloan. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

“For me it makes no sense. It makes no sense. They had to win today in my opinion. I could not work that out.”

Parramatta legend Nathan Hindmarsh, playing devil’s advocate, wondered if Griffin had potentially decided to rest the 19-year-old.

“Is it the resting period? You know these young guys come in and they have a week off,” Hindmarsh said.

“That’s the new thing. They get a bit of a taste of first grade footy then hang on, let’s pull him back a bit.”

But his fellow panellists, including Johns, weren’t convinced one bit.

“He’s had three games,” NRL great Bryan Fletcher hit back.

Dragons fans weren’t impressed either and many took to social media to call for Sloan to be brought straight back into the team next week.

Matty Johns couldn't believe the Dragons dropped Sloan.

Dragons head coach Anthony Griffin is feeling the heat already. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Journalist and St George supporter Chris O’Keefe tweeted: “Round Four: It’s getting worse. With Souths, Newcastle and Roosters to come, Saints are looking at 1 win from 7 games.

“Which would see 2022 over after two months. Sloan must play next week.”

Radio host Oliver Peterson said: “This is the most inept performance. Why did Hook (Anthony Griffin) go and hook Sloan #HookCooked.”

#RedV next week:

1. Sloan
6. Bird
7. Hunt
9. Sullivan
14. Amone

Moses M'bye to run the water.

— Isaac McIntyre (@isaac_mcintyre6) April 3, 2022

Eels halfback Mitchell Moses had an absolute field day, finishing with two tries himself and a perfect eight conversions from eight attempts.

After four rounds, Parramatta sits third on the ladder while the Dragons are languishing in second last with just one victory to their name.

Originally published as ‘Insanity’: Matty Johns slams Dragons’ surprise call after Eels thrashing