Tyrell Sloan in the thick of things in Indigenous All Stars camp.Credit:NRL Photos
“I was blaming everyone else. I had a good heart-to-heart with the coach and we cleared everything up.
“This year I just want to come back,work hard and earn the respect of my teammates. I think I’ve done that but nothing matters until I put in on the field.
“Last year I was probably hiding from him. I wasn’t putting myself in that position[to be selected].
“I was always trying to get out[after training] quickly. To come back to training this year I wanted to clear it up because I felt like I was walking on eggshells. It definitely doesn’t help your game. I wasn’t really liking football at the time.
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“I was only 19 as well last year and I spoke to a lot of senior boys there and they said,‘You should clear it up and move on’. That’s what I’ve done. I feel like I’ve come back a lot clearer,I’ve cleared my mind.”
With family hailing from Condobolin in central NSW,Sloan represents the Wiradjuri tribe in All Stars camp,where he’s pinching himself to be alongside such greats as assistant coach Matty Bowen and mentor Greg Inglis.
Penrith recruit Tyrone Peachey finished Wednesday’s field session early with a hamstring issue.
But otherwise the Indigenous All Stars were all smiles as they were joined by surviving members of the 1973 tourists,celebrating the50th anniversary of their groundbreaking trip to New Zealand.
“To be able to come across the ditch and represent everyone back home and the 1973 team,it’s a big privilege,” Sloan said.
“Nan’s very proud. When I called her and told her I was playing All Stars,she gets teary-eyed and it makes me emotional as well just to be able to represent her. That’s my main goal,to put that pride back in the Red V and also for her.”
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