Injured Dragons star Tyrell Sloan has insisted that he is the best option to become starting fullback for St George next season.
After teasing his abilities for a few years, Sloan was set for a massive pre-season under new coach Shane Flanagan in order to add size and grow out his body.
Unfortunately, the 21-year-old suffered a serious ankle injury during the Koori Knockout which will keep him sidelined until January.
“I want to step up and make the position mine,” Sloan said in a recent interview with David Riccio from The Daily Telegraph.
“I’ve had three years in first grade now and I feel like it’s my time to start playing my footy.”
Riccio told SEN that despite the injury setback, Sloan was confident that he would be the first choice fullback for the Dragons in 2024.
“Sloan is super determined and super passionate,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He is also acutely aware of the question marks about his physicality and defence.
“He didn’t back away from it (when asked) and he didn’t try to dick the question or back it up with some cliche answer.
“He has declared that he is absolutely tough enough and ready for the fight. He’s been there before with the likes of Cody Ramsey and Matt Dufty.
“He’s ready to put his hand up for the fight and (if all things go well), he could be back running this week or possibly the week after.
“The injury has impacted the plan that Shane Flanagan had to toughen him up.
“It could be a setback for Sloan but I still think he’s the best option.”
The biggest knock against Sloan is his ability to provide flashes of brilliance combined with moments of poor defensive efforts and at times, looking disinterested.
SEN’s Greg Alexander said if Sloan can harness his incredible potential, he will lock down the Dragons fullback spot for several years.
“He can do things that other players can’t,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“That Anzac Day game against the Roosters, he was absolutely brilliant.
“He almost won the Dragons that game but there is that part of him that’s light.
“He’s not a big body and he does get man handled bringing the ball back.
“His speed gives him something that not a whole lot of players do.
“If he can toughen up and get a bit more physical, they’ve got a really good player in Tyrell Sloan.”
The Dragons will travel to the Gold Coast for their first game against the Titans in Round 1.