ANNOUNCEMENT: Zac Lomax so angry and Announce his Resignation and Departure From St George Illawarra Dragons Today due…….READ MORE

Speaking after the match where he scored a hat-trick in the 28-4 win, Sloan said he had “no regrets” about not leaving the Dragons for a chance to join the NRL’s newest team, despite the lure of Bennett.

It’s home,” Sloan said of playing and staying with St George Illawarra, where he is currently set to come off contract at the end of 2024.

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

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

“Home is where the heart is and I try to represent (that) as much as I can and I wouldn’t be able to leave home.

“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 Dragons.

A naturally attacking player, Sloan started the 2024 season in style, but it came after an especially tough pre-season, where a syndesmosis injury sustained at the Koori Knockout while playing with Newcastle Yowies proved a big hurdle to overcome.

While the club approved for him to play at the tournament that celebrates Indigenous culture, understanding how important connection to community was to the proud Wiradjuri man, Sloan felt that he had let his team and coach Shane Flanagan down after the unfortunate injury set back his preparation for the season ahead.

“(The injury) was in the Koori Knockout and that (carnival) means a lot to me; the club gave me permission to play,” Sloan 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.