Excerpt from Foxsports News -
"SLOAN CALL EXPOSES DRAGONS’ GLARING PROBLEM
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan made the shock call to drop Tyrell Sloan for last Sunday’s clash with the Panthers — but he may be forced to recall him a week later.
With Sloan relegated to New South Wales Cup, Mat Feagai was called on to play at the back but he was wiped out 21 minutes into the game due to a head knock.
Feagai failed his HIA but was deemed to be displaying category two symptoms, which means he’s still a chance of being named for the Dragons’ Round 22 clash with the Storm.
If, however, Feagai is sidelined, Sloan will be parachuted straight back into the No.1 jersey after a dominant performance in Cup where he finished with a try, a linebreak, two linebreak assists, seven tackle busts and 223 running metres.
It was a bold call from Flanagan to drop Sloan in the first place given his lack of options to replace him. Feagai had played 10 NSW Cup games at fullback prior to his promotion — but only out of necessity because of the lack of depth in that position at the club.
The situation has shone a spotlight on the one position Flanagan desperately needs to bolster next season for two reasons — genuine depth and to create healthy competition for the No.1 jersey.
A report emerged over the weekend linking Valentine Holmes to the Dragons after the Origin star was given permission by the Cowboys to test his value on the open market.
Holmes has played a total of 67 NRL games at fullback, but the last time he lined up there was in 2021.
It wouldn’t be an immediate fix though given Holmes is still signed to the Cowboys until the end of 2025.
Blaize Talagi could, however, be an immediate option should the 19-year-old knock back the option in his favour at the Eels for next season. The Dragons are reportedly chasing his signature."