Dragons young gun Tyrell Sloan has ridden a rollercoaster of lavish praise, lost confidence and fluctuating form during his brief NRL career but teammates are predicting 2023 will be the year the 20-year-old delivers on his limitless potential.
Sloan exploded onto the scene with six tries in five games at the tail end of 2021 and started last year in the No.1 jersey before losing his spot to veteran utility Moses Mbye.
By the time the curtain was drawn on another disappointing season for the Red V, Sloan had tallied just eight games – four at fullback, two on the bench and two on the wing – and his confidence had taken a fair hit.
With the Dragons’ opening trial against St Helens just a month away, Sloan is putting his best foot forward in a bid to reclaim the No.1 jersey he last wore against the Titans in round 10 last year, and Mbye is backing him to make it his own.
“It’s difficult to come in to first grade and be consistent. A lot of guys that come in will fluctuate with their form and understanding of the game,” Mbye said.
“I think Sloany has been going through that himself but he has matured a lot compared to when he came back in last summer.
“He has come in with a really good attitude and he has matured physically as well – he’s a lot bigger and stronger and quicker.
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“We’ve lost [Cody] Ramsey for now with his health so it looks like Sloany will get first crack at fullback.”
Ramsey played 12 games at fullback after snaring the spot in round 11 last year but he faces an uncertain future after contracting ulcerative colitis.
The 22-year-old remains hopeful of returning to the paddock in 2023 but in the meantime it’s Sloan who will look to take the opportunity in a Dragons backline spearheaded by skipper Ben Hunt, who has returned to training after his triumphant World Cup tour with the Kangaroos.
“All our World Cup boys back on deck and the energy is humming,” said prop Blake Lawrie.
“Benny and Jaydn Su’A both played in the World Cup Final and they are two key members of our squad.
“There’s plenty of excitement among the group and that makes me think we can make finals and give fans what they deserve but we still have a lot of work to do because we haven’t experienced finals for four years now.”
Now a veteran of 103 NRL games, Lawrie churned out 117 metres per game in 2022 and enjoyed a career highlight in round 12 against the Bulldogs when he grabbed the first try of his career.
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Lawrie has his sights firmly set on the battle for front-row spots in Anthony Griffin’s pack but when he has cast his eye over the backs at training he has also been impressed by Sloan’s progress.
“Tyrell carries himself different now, he’s a bit more professional in certain aspects,” Lawrie said.
“He was only young when he came into first grade and he had a lot of pressure on him.
“I know what’s it like. I was only 20 when I debuted and I know it can take three or four years to get used to the NRL.
“He’s only going to get better the more he wants to train harder and keep earning the respect of the players around him.”