Tyrell Sloan has secured his future with St George Illawarra Dragons by signing a new two-year contract extension, ensuring his stay with the club until at least the end of 2026.
The local talent has thrived under the guidance of coach Shane Flanagan, contributing significantly to the Dragons’ push for a top-eight position in the NRL during the 2024 season. Sloan’s performance this year marks a significant improvement, particularly in his defensive play, where he has made 92 tackles with an 86 percent efficiency rate.
Flanagan has commended Sloan’s progress and expressed optimism about his future contributions to the team. “Tyrell is an exciting young player who continues to learn and improve every week,” Flanagan stated on Thursday afternoon. “His efforts to enhance all aspects of his game this year have been really pleasing. We look forward to seeing him continue to develop at the Dragons over the coming seasons.”
In addition to his defensive improvements, Sloan has shown prowess in attack, scoring eight tries and assisting four in his 12 appearances so far. His increased involvement in difficult situations, averaging 109 run meters and three tackle breaks per game, has further highlighted his development this season.
Sloan’s extension follows closely behind the re-signing of representative forward Jaydn Su’A, reflecting a series of strategic commitments by the Dragons to bolster their squad. The fullback position has been particularly challenging for the Dragons to stabilize in recent years, with Matt Dufty departing at the end of 2021 and Cody Ramsey sidelined due to illness for the past two seasons. This situation has provided Sloan the opportunity to step up and make a substantial impact.
Sloan, a product of the Dapto Canaries, is among several key players who have reaffirmed their commitment to the Dragons since Flanagan assumed the head coaching role. This group includes notable names such as Su’A, Francis Molo, and Moses Suli. The club’s next significant decision revolves around the future of veteran forward Jack de Belin, whose contract status remains uncertain beyond 2025 despite an impressive start to the current season. De Belin, 33, has been a standout performer for the Dragons, co-captaining the team to a surprise victory over Penrith last weekend.
With Sloan’s contract extension, the Dragons are building a solid foundation for the future, aiming to enhance their performance and competitiveness in the NRL. The club’s focus on retaining key players and developing young talent like Sloan signals a strategic effort to climb higher in the league standings and secure a more stable and successful future. As Sloan continues to evolve his game, the Dragons and their fans eagerly anticipate his contributions in the seasons to come, with hopes that his growing skills and leadership will help drive the team towards greater achievements.
