'Without a doubt': Dragon tipped to bounce back to NRL
Tyrell Sloan will "without a doubt" feature at NRL level again soon, St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has said after dropping the winger for round 14.
Clint Gutherson usurped Sloan at fullback this season and the 23-year-old has now been overlooked for NRL selection for a second time this year after playing NSW Cup in round one
But Flanagan said the call to axe Sloan from Friday night's game against the Dolphins was as much about Christian Tuipulotu's return to fitness as it was about form.
Tuipulotu was superb on the left wing before a seven-week hamstring lay-off, with Flanagan also hesitant to drop Nathan Lawson after a great NRL debut on the wing last week.
"It's not just Tyrell ... we've got competition for spots," Flanagan said.
"Everyone's held accountable and you've got to perform well. Tyrell's no different, so 'CT' comes back in.
"Those two wingers know that he's just waiting there to come back. It provides a good culture, winning culture for the first team."
Sloan will not have the chance to impress Flanagan this weekend because the Dragons' NSW Cup side is on the bye.
But the local junior is contracted through to the end of 2026 and appears the next man in line should injury or suspension strike the Dragons' back-line.
Flanagan expected to see Sloan back in the top grade soon and said he had the attitude to make a comeback happen.
"Without a doubt. He's a talented footy player," the coach said.
"He's got some things to work on ... so go back and work on them and he'll be back.
"He's a good kid, there's no question marks about any of those players (on the fringes), about their character, their effort or their attitude."
Lachlan Ilias has already convinced Flanagan he'll be ready for a recall to the NRL side's halves if required after spending the past five weeks in NSW Cup.
"Him and (back-up five-eighth) Jonah Glover have been outstanding in reserve grade. They're a class above and they're ready to play first grade," Flanagan said.
"Lachie had a few things to tidy up in his game from the start of the season and he's doing that."
Tuipulotu looks set to return on the left wing after training there at the Dragons' captain's run, with rugby sevens convert Lawson to shift to the right edge.
Flanagan has reiterated to the energetic Tuipulotu that he doesn't want to see his famous "money man" try celebration if the Dragons are behind on the scoreboard in his comeback game.
"He's been told there are a few boundaries around it. Let's be in front," he said.
"He's that sort of character, he's always high in energy. You see him running in if there's a big play in the middle part of the field or on the other side of the field than he is.
"We're lucky to have him back."
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