Tyrell Sloan pushes for a first-grade spot with impressive form

The Red V outfit has won four of its past six games and currently sits in ninth place with an 8-8 record ahead of tonight’s Round 18 clash away to the Roosters at Central Coast Stadium.

And while the talented 20-year-old hasn’t played in the NRL side during that form turnaround, he has provided plenty of energy and enthusiasm at training as part of the 30-man squad.

“I think everyone is contributing – reserve grade and first grade. I think the club’s moving in the right direction,” he told bettingsite.com.au.

“A little bit (frustrating not playing in the first-grade team). The boys are going well. As long as they’re winning and we’re contributing in reserve grade at training.”

Although Cody Ramsey is impressing at fullback for the St George Illawarra Dragons this season, one would think it won’t be long before Sloan – with seven tries from nine NRL appearances after making his debut last year – plays at the elite level again.

He continues to stand out at NSW Cup level, scoring a double and coming up with a try assist in his team’s 34-16 win over Blacktown Workers at Brookvale Oval last Sunday.

“It was all right. I was just pushing through the middle and was lucky,” was Sloan’s humble summary of his game.

“It (the Dragons’ performance) was good. We were a bit rusty – we hadn’t played in three weeks because it was washed out last week.

“Other than that, we just stuck to our game plan and scored a few points.”

A largely inexperienced Dragons side now sits in eighth spot on the NSW Cup ladder with seven wins, a draw and eight losses heading into Sunday’s clash against North Sydney at Collegians Sporting Complex in Wollongong.

“We have a young squad. The halves (Kamren Cryer and Zach Herring) are young and everyone’s still learning,” Sloan said.

“A couple of them were on debut as well (against the Sea Eagles).

“(Declan Purcell) came on as hooker, and (Toby Couchman) came on as a front-rower and played a bit of back row.”

At NRL level, the Dragons will back themselves to knock over the Roosters after defeating them 14-12 in Round 7.

The Roosters have named James Tedesco and Daniel Tupou to back up from NSW duty, their Blues side going down 22-12 to Queensland in Wednesday night’s epic Origin decider in Brisbane.

For the Dragons, skipper Ben Hunt is their only representative star named after his match-winning performance for the Maroons.

“We got them on Anzac Day, so we’ll take confidence from that,” Sloan said.

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