Tyrell Sloan has had limited game time as it is in his preferred fullback position for the St George Illawarra Dragons in recent years.

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And, with Scott Drinkwater earmarked for the role next season, it won't be any easier for Sloan to crack a spot as starting fullback for the Dragons in 2027.

Tyrell Sloan has spoken about his future at St George Illawarra Dragons. Picture by Adam McLean.

But speaking ahead of St George Illawarra's local derby against the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday, the Dapto Canaries junior answered definitely when asked if he felt he still had a role to play for the Dragons next year.

"I know it's a business at the end of the day, but whatever happens happens, and I'm happy where the club is and where it's going," Sloan said.

"I love this club, I'd do anything to wear the Red V. It's home for me. I don't want to leave, but I do know it's a business, and at the end of the day, whenever I get to wear that jersey, I just want to wear it with pride.

"I know there has been a lot of history with myself being in and out of the team each week, but the boys are in a good space at the moment, and I'm happy to support that whether I'm in the team or not."

Sloan has been named on an extended bench for the clash against the Sharks, after coming on for Clint Gutherson and playing eight minutes in the Dragons' breakthrough win over the Broncos.

The 24-year-old has been spotted training at fullback this week, but stressed he was happy to play anywhere, as long as he was in the game-day squad.

Sloan did, however, concede that at this stage of his career, his preference was to play as a fullback.

"The wingers these days are big and mobile and a lot bigger than me, so I feel like I fit that mould as a fullback better. It's all I've ever played in my whole life," he said.

"Last year was the first time I've actually played consistently on the wing, but as I said, like I'm happy to play anywhere, whatever it is to get into that 17 and do a job."

Sloan and his Dragons teammates head to Ocean Protect Stadium on Sunday looking to secure a second straight win that will improve St George Illawarra's season record to 2-11.

But the Red V will have to counter a poor record against the Sharks, having lost 10 of their last 11 outings against Cronulla.

The Dragons did, however, beat the Sharks the last time they met on August 9, 2025.

St George Illawarra will be hoping they don't have to wait another 295 days to get a win after a Sharks victory, this time around.

Sloan, for one, was looking forward to taking on a very good Sharks team.

"It's always a build-up, it's always a great week, it's a local derby," he said.

"But, we're trying to focus on us as a team and a club moving forward, that's our main focus going towards the end of the year, if we can get as many wins as we can, by using that as extra motivation as well.

"Sharks have sort of had the upper hand in the last, the last few years, but we got one back on them last year in Kogarah, so we'll be looking to do that again.

"[A win] would be massive, especially playing in Shark Park, it's really hard to win there. As everyone says, it's the Bermuda Triangle, so it is really hard to win there and, especially against their team, they're a great team, and they deserve their respect, but we're a young crop, we'll be looking to go there and get the win."

Sunday's clash kicks off at 4.05pm.

Kyle's dad got sacked, then he get dropped. This is how he plans to change the story

Kyle Flanagan has opened up about what drives him to keep showing up for St George Illawarra during a tumultuous period, both personally and for the struggling Dragons.

Flanagan spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since his father, former Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan, parted ways with the club after a 0-7 win/loss record in 2026.

Kyle Flanagan was all smiles while talking to the media on Wednesday. Picture by Adam McLean

"I think it's definitely been a challenge. The old man's sort of come out the last couple of weeks and sort of said his part on it. For me, I'll probably touch on it a bit further down the track, but for now, I'm just focused on doing my absolute best for the team. I love competing with my teammates and helping this team in this club win, and that's what my focus is," Flanagan said.

Interim Dragons head coach Dean Young dropped Flanagan for his first two games in charge before an injury to Kade Reed saw the 27-year-old reinstated as the Dragons' halfback.

Flanagan and halves partner Daniel Atkinson have been among the Dragons' best in recent weeks and were integral in guiding the Red V to their first win of 2026 in Brisbane against the Broncos on Sunday.

The win against the Broncos ended a 15-game losing run stretching back to last August and improved the Dragons' record to 1-11 heading into Sunday's local derby against Cronulla at Sharks Park.

Flanagan admitted getting the monkey off the Dragons' back felt great.

"It feels great to go up to Suncorp and beat the premiers from last year," he said.

"We've been training so hard, the back end of last year and at the start of this year. Obviously, a lot's happened since then, but to get the monkey off our back and get our first win of the year, it was a great result for the club."

Flanagan said family was his driving force to meet the many challenges during what has been a turbulent period, personally and for the Dragons.

'There's been a few challenges thrown at the club and different individuals, but you come to work to better yourself every day and to get better and just to do your job for the team. That's the way I sort of approach it every day. Come here, be a better man and go home to my family," he said.

Asked where he got his resilience from, Flanagan replied, "probably my upbringing".

"I guess every footballer has different scenarios that they go through when they're younger, but, you know, different challenges have been thrown my way. I just like to keep turning up and face challenges head-on, keep turning up, getting better, and being a better man for my family and doing the absolute best I can for my own name and them too, I guess.

"I love playing, and I love coming to training with my teammates and competing.

"You work so hard during the week to get a win on the weekend, and I like to think I'm a goal-driven person, so I've got plenty of goals that I want to achieve in the game and that's my focus."

Becoming a father for the first time before the season started has made Flanagan better prepared to deal with the continuing pressures of playing for a struggling club continually under the spotlight.

"I've definitely struggled with the nighttime, getting up a few times, to a screaming baby. My wife's done an amazing job. But [having a baby] shows you the importance of life and how precious it is.

"I love going home to my family and representing them and doing everything I can to help them and represent them the best we can."

Flanagan was also looking forward to returning to play against the Cronulla Sharks, the club where he made his NRL debut.

"I love the ground, I don't live too far away," he said of Shark Park.

"There are many good people in that club, and lots of guys I've played under twenties with. It's good to see them go on to have good careers, and I'm looking forward to versing those guys.

"It's great just being a part of the local derby, you know, plenty of chit chat around the Shire, around, you know, Dragons versus Sharks, it's great to be a part of."

The Sharks have fared better in recent years, but the Dragons prevailed in the last meeting between the two clubs.

In fact, that win at Kogarah on August 9, 2025, was the Dragons' last before they ended a 295-day losing run with victory over the Broncos last Sunday.

Two days after the breakthrough win, the Dragons confirmed on Tuesday that Connor Watson had signed a one-year deal with the club for the 2027 season.

Sydney Roosters star Watson, who will join the PNG Chiefs on a two-year deal from 2028, has played 178 NRL appearances, five State of Origin caps, and three Indigenous All Stars nods since his debut in 2016.

He joins the likes of Keaon Koloamatangi, Scott Drinkwater, Phillip Sami and Luke Metcalf on the list of recruits for the 2027 season as the club's bold recruitment drive continues.

Flanagan welcomed his signing but stressed the Dragons were focused on continuing to improve this season, starting with a win over the Sharks on Sunday.