Dragons want more spark from livewire fullback Sloan

St George Illawarra prop Blake Lawrie has challenged livewire fullback Tyrell Sloan to provide the Dragons a spark for 80 minutes, as they try to snap a three-game losing streak.

Sloan was the bright light of the Saints' Anzac Day loss to the Roosters, turning the match on its head when he scored a try and had a hand in two others in the space of eight minutes.

Still, their loss summed up the Dragons' season as they fell short and were left to rue poor patches in the first half.

The Dragons head into Sunday's clash with Canterbury in Wollongong with their season hanging in the balance with a 2-5 record and pressure increasing on coach Anthony Griffin.

In Sloan's talent, the Dragons have an example of what can lie ahead for the battling club after reaching one finals series in the past seven years.

But Lawrie, a part of the Dragons' leadership group, said the 20-year-old had to inject himself into their attack more often.

"Tyrell has been injecting himself in the right times when we really need him, but it would be nice for him to do it over the whole 80 minutes," Lawrie said. 

"That's what he is working for. He hasn't played many games; he is still learning week- in, week-out. 

"He's a spine player; he is very skilful and showed a glimpse of what he can do.

"It's important for him to keep building on that, gain confidence and do it for the 80 minutes."

Asked about Lawrie's comment, Sloan was well aware that was the next challenge for him and then it would come with experience.

"I feel like I should have gone a lot more," Sloan said of his Anzac Day performance.

"There are stages in the game where you have to pick your moments. I felt like I picked them at a good time because we were down a few.

"It's getting that experience, but it comes down to every game and knowing when to do it."

Sloan also said he knew he needed to provide another component to the Dragons' attack, which has been accused of being too reliant on Ben Hunt in recent years.

Left out of the Dragons' team for the majority of 2022, Sloan said he was a different player now after mending his relationship with Griffin and gaining his support.

"I definitely matured over the past three or four months," Sloan said.

"I am out there playing like a kid again, that's the main thing. I lost that last year. I lost having fun."

Sloan also said he was left pinching himself after Anzac Day, when childhood idol James Tedesco praised his performance after he asked for a photo with him.

"I got a buzz out of playing against him because he is one of the best," Sloan said. 

"I was just a little kid again, playing against my idols. You don't get to do that every day."