St George Illawarra have locked away another exciting local junior with potential long-term fullback Tyrell Sloan extending his contract until the end of 2024.
Originally on the development player list this year, Sloan has been upgraded to the club’s top 30 squad and has added an extra season to his deal after impressing in five NRL games.
Sloan’s commitment comes a couple of months after his 2019 SG Ball premiership teammates Jayden Sullivan, Matt Feagai and Max Feagai re-signed with the Dragons.
Tyrell Sloan of the Dragons. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Having finished the 2021 season in the NRL, scoring a double in the final-round loss to South Sydney, Sloan appears set to retain the No.1 jersey in coach Anthony Griffin’s team following Matt Dufty’s departure to Canterbury.
“Re-signing is a proud moment in my career,” Sloan said.
“It’s good news for the club that there’s a few of us staying put and remaining with our friends and family. None of us wanted to leave. This is our home.
“It’s exciting being in the first-grade squad having come through the juniors together. It’s a cool moment for all of us. We’re all proud to wear the Red V jersey and we’re keen to take it back to where it needs to be, playing finals footy.
“I was put in the deep end last year, but it was an opportunity I was more than happy to take. My debut was the best moment of my life and to get four more games afterwards was very pleasing.
“It’s healthy competition across the squad and I’m very much looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
St George Illawarra have also acquired Norths Devils winger Jonathon Reuben on a development deal.
Formerly contracted to Canberra and the Sydney Roosters without playing in the NRL, the 28-year-old has scored 107 tries in 106 matches during a seven-season Queensland Cup career.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I like nothing better than a rookie wanting to stay ‘home’ and play in the region he grew up. Hope he keeps the same mindset if\when he cracks a permanent first grade role.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
None outside the 13 stand out for me. They need to recruit or bring through some gun forwards.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
We had a couple of options in recent years with Reece Robson and Joe Lovodua. Should have kept one of them, if not both
Dan
Roar Rookie
Who would you throw on the bench John?
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
That is a very strong starting 13. The bench however could do with improvement.
Tez
Roar Rookie
I am very happy to see Sloane get upgraded and extended. This means all the young backline players have been locked up ..... excellent. Now the Dragons have to concentrate on developing a young half to replace Hunt when the time comes, plus a hooker, which is probably more urgent. Then they start looking for some good young props, and locks.
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing:
Dan
Roar Rookie
Hook needs to start all of these kids as soon as possible. I know it will cause uproar but IMO they should push hunt to dummy half and just start Sullivan and Amone in the halves. Hunt will probably fly the coop anyway and finish up in Redcliffe in 23 anyway. McCullough is a great defender but offers nothing in attack.Mbye can be come off the bench if they’re not going to go with 4 forwards on the bench. They need to get the Fengai brothers on the flanks as well. Forget Ramsay, he’s hopeless. Rava for all the good moments still has terrible hands and sometimes seems more intent on nailing guys with shoulder charges. Honestly, I would prefer them to just miss the 8 this year and these kids play as many games as possible than for hook to let speed humps like Ramsay and Maguire play more and the kids only get 6-7 games. They’ll be better in the long run. Sloan Fengai Suli Lomax Fengai Amone Sullivan JDB Bird Sua Lawrie Hunt Molo Mbye Kerr Burgess Simms
Dan
Roar Rookie
I will literally puke if Hook picks Ramsay over Sloan in round 1
Dan
Roar Rookie
Just need a quality hooker, but they’re a bit few and far between ATM
Tony
Roar Guru
Sorry Phil. Can't recall that game I'm afraid.
Phil
Roar Rookie
That good company was bolstered when Craig Young came along and not forgetting Bruce Starkey.
Blue
Guest
Hi Phil .. Reddy wasn't the only player to hand out treatment aka partner in crime Robert Stone .. I played with Robert throughout juniors where we played union .. many dark things happened and I still shake my head thinking about some of the punishment he dished out. To be fair most of it was in retaliation .. Reddy was in good company
Phil
Roar Rookie
Tony, help me out here. The game I referred to where Billy and Lurch clashed, Billy attemped a coathanger in revenge only to break his arm on Lurch's head. Relying on memory here so I need some back up. Don't mind being proven wrong if that's the case.
Tony
Roar Guru
Certainly in the top two or three that I've seen Phil
Phil
Roar Rookie
Billy Smith was one of the best halfbacks I've ever witnessed. He had it all, natural talent, toughness, guile, leadership the lot. There was a story doing the rounds many years ago he challenged John O'Neill to a blue while they were in the National side because of a game during the season when Lurch gave Billy a "touch up." Defensively, Billy could stop anyone, no matter how big. There was a game at Cumberland Oval in the same year Reddy made his debut, where Billy played fullback because of Changa pulling out on match day. In the first 10 minutes Dick Thornett made two clean breaks hurtling for the line with only Billy Smith in the way both times. Everyone expected big Dick to steamroll little Billy. Billy stopped him both times. Great player.
Blue
Guest
Nah can't agree Tony .. Ramsay has courage and from what I've seen he isn't the sort of player to take a dive and avoid a tackle like Dufty. As for his size he is over 13 stone and 6'1 .. a bit more bulk and he will bend the line more often than not
Tony
Roar Guru
Reddy can credit a lot of the progress he made early in his career to playing alongside Billy Smith.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yep. Ramsay is poor under the high ball and not strong on returning the ball. Shades of Dufty.
Blue
Guest
Ramsay didn't get into any sort of space last year and seemed to be in heavy traffic most of the time .. If he can get some clear open paddock he may come good.