Tyrell Sloan has admitted there are areas of his game that need improving but declared “it’s my time to start playing footy” as he looks to nail down the Dragons’ No.1 jersey.
Sloan has had a rollercoaster start to his NRL career.
He debuted at just 19-years old, was controversially dropped last year and asked for an immediate release from the club.
He later backflipped on his decision and took on 2023 with a new outlook.
Despite playing 23 games last season there were still concerns over his ability as a fullback with his defence being called into question several times.
And now he could lose the position with new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan revealing recently Zac Lomax will get an opportunity at fullback too.
However, Sloan is ready to fight for the jersey, saying: “I really want to step up and make the position mine.”
It’s something I do lack. I’ll be honest, I do lack there,” Sloan said.
“I do save tries too, though. There’s moments there where I’m good, and there’s moments there where I’m bad.
“You are your own worst critic and sometimes I come out of a tackle feeling for myself — and not just myself, but letting my team down.
“That’s my main focus. I want to be that person that, if there’s a line break, I can be depended on to make that tackle.”
At just 84kg some consider Sloan too small for the rigours of NRL. But he disagrees with that, using Preston Campbell’s success as an example.
He also dismissed concern he’s not tough enough.
“Bra, I played (in the Koori) Knockout. If anyone can run out in the Knockout and play, that’s tough footy”.
Sloan suffered a syndesmosis injury while playing in the Koori Knockout which required surgery. He hopes to return to full training in January.
It’s an untimely blow for the Dragons given Flanagan had a lot of plans for Sloan during the pre-season which have had to be shelved.
But that hasn’t impacted Sloan’s confidence heading into 2024.
“Last year was meant to be my first year in NRL. I’m not going to say I got rushed in but I did (debut) pretty early,” Sloan said.
“But now I feel like I’ve got the confidence to take it on, wherever that might be — whether that’s fullback, wing or I could play five-eighth.
“I’ve had three years in grade now and I feel like it’s my time to start playing my footy. I want to play fullback but it’s whatever’s best for the team.
“We haven’t been performing where we need to be for the last three years that I’ve been in grade. I really want to step up and make that position mine.”
I know there’s a risk and reward and I’m first-hand (proof) — I’m injured from the knockout — but how it’s set up right now is amazing.
“People just think it’s black fellas, turning up to play footy and getting their head bashed in but there’s a lot of doctors there.
“I went and saw the physios there straight after I did my ankle and it’s set up how an NRL carnival will be set up. It’s nothing different.
“The footy is a lot tougher. I’ll tell you that from experience; you get your head taken off. But it’s fun.
“The Knockout is massive already, but it’s going to get bigger. Hopefully, Flanno lets me play next year.”