If Tyrell Sloan goes on to deliver on his undoubted potential as one of the Dragons’ most promising juniors in years, then the Red V has an 81-year-old South Coast grandmother to thank.
Unhappy and out of first grade for much of 2022, Sloan admits he kicked stones and ‘hid’ from coach Anthony Griffin before eventually requesting an early release from the remaining two years on his Dragons deal.
Colleen Sloan, the Dapto matriarch who fought for custody of the Indigenous All Stars flyer and raised him, knew something wasn’t right with her grandson.
“I was a bit ashamed to tell her because I don’t like seeing her get emotional,” Sloan recalled after a pre-season that has everyone at St George Illawarra raving.
“She just said ‘suck it up. You’re 19 years old. You’re not a boy anymore’. My Nan’s my inspiration and she actually told me ‘stop being a sook and just take it on’. If I didn’t listen I’d probably get a hiding.
“She tipped me up and said get in there and sort it out. That was one thing I wanted to do, clear it up with Hook [Griffin].
“I actually praise him a lot now because I understand why I did get dropped last year.”
Cody Ramsey’s debilitating bout of ulcerative colitis has ruled him out of rugby league for at least a year and given Sloan a clear run at the Dragons No.1 jersey.
But while St George Illawarra swiftly knocked back his release request last year, it was the confronting conversation that Colleen urged him to have with Griffin that has since given Sloan a new lease on life in the Red V.
“Last year I didn’t put myself in a position where I could play first grade,” Sloan said.
Tyrell Sloan in the thick of things in Indigenous All Stars camp.Credit:NRL Photos
“I was blaming everyone else. I had a good heart-to-heart with the coach and we cleared everything up.
“This year I just want to come back, work hard and earn the respect of my teammates. I think I’ve done that but nothing matters until I put in on the field.
“Last year I was probably hiding from him. I wasn’t putting myself in that position [to be selected].
“I was always trying to get out [after training] quickly. To come back to training this year I wanted to clear it up because I felt like I was walking on eggshells. It definitely doesn’t help your game. I wasn’t really liking football at the time.
“I was only 19 as well last year and I spoke to a lot of senior boys there and they said, ‘You should clear it up and move on’. That’s what I’ve done. I feel like I’ve come back a lot clearer, I’ve cleared my mind.”
With family hailing from Condobolin in central NSW, Sloan represents the Wiradjuri tribe in All Stars camp, where he’s pinching himself to be alongside such greats as assistant coach Matty Bowen and mentor Greg Inglis.
Penrith recruit Tyrone Peachey finished Wednesday’s field session early with a hamstring issue.
But otherwise the Indigenous All Stars were all smiles as they were joined by surviving members of the 1973 tourists, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their groundbreaking trip to New Zealand.
“To be able to come across the ditch and represent everyone back home and the 1973 team, it’s a big privilege,” Sloan said.
“Nan’s very proud. When I called her and told her I was playing All Stars, she gets teary-eyed and it makes me emotional as well just to be able to represent her. That’s my main goal, to put that pride back in the Red V and also for her.”
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
