The Dragons have been handed a major boost for the future with young guns Tyrell Sloan and Jayden “Bud” Sullivan re-pledging themselves to the club after originally agitating for releases soon after the end of the 2022 NRL season.
Sullivan wanted to join the Bulldogs and Sloan had talked to the Dolphins.
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But, after discussing within the club, both youngsters—21 and 20 respectively—have backflipped on their requests and confirmed they will see out their St George Illawarra Dragons deals. Sullivan is signed through to 2025 and Sloan has a deal that ends just one year earlier.
Both had similar plights: they felt like coach Anthony Griffin had restricted their chances to play in the NRL in their preferred positions and were fear they’d stagnate or miss top-flight opportunities.
Sloan played just four games in 2022 after being told the number one jumper was his to lose. He was dropped after round 3 and was brought back just once, in Magic Round.
In all four games, Sloan struggled and made several costly errors.
Sullivan, meanwhile, played 10 times across the season but mainly turned out as the starting hooker or off the bench behind Dally M runner-up Ben Hunt.
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One reason The Sporting Base has heard in regards to Sullivan and Sloan’s sudden about-face is that they have been promised—quietly, mind you—that Griffin’s time at the club is already ticking down.
Hunt tried to squeeze a get-out-of-jail clause into his new deal that revolved around Griffin’s tenure, but Dragons officials turned it down; another sign Hook may be on the chopping block.
Heading into 2023, young gun Cody Ramsey will play fullback.
If Hook does get the boot, however, Sloan may return as the number one, Ben Hunt may shuffle into the nine, and Sullivan could re-partner juniors ally Junior Amone.
There are many in the club that see that as the Red V’s long-term future.
For now though, Hook chooses the team (for the most part) and Sullivan and Sloan will have to bide their time—a waiting game they are now once more happy to play.
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