Indigenous stars guiding Tyrell Sloan through NRL journey

A proud Indigenous man, the 19-year-old has long admired the game's Aboriginal leaders including Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton.

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Despite playing just one game in his young career, Sloan is determined to one day join the game's upper echelon and play alongside his idols in the Origin arena.

And the trio are determined to help him get there.

"I'm actually pretty close with Latrell, Fox (Addo-Carr) and Jackie Wighton," Sloan said. "They all messaged me before my debut and after it.

"We stay in close contact here and there whenever we can, they're important people in my life. I get to speak to them quite a few times over social media and when the bubble's over I'd love to catch up with those guys."

Sloan's communication with Wighton was noteworthy given the pair were on opposite sides of the field during his debut.

"It's crazy, I didn't expect it especially playing him on the day. He said 'I'll see you on the field' and we had a scrum and he said congratulations during the game. I was just like 'far out, this guy's actually talking to me.'

"They're superstars of the game, it's crazy to have their support."

Sloan will have to wait to play his second NRL match, the youngster dropping out of the 21 for Friday's clash with the Warriors.

Matt Dufty returns from injury, with Josh McGuire and Tyrell Fuimaono back from suspension. Origin trio Tariq Sims, Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough have all been named.

Sloan's relationship with Addo-Carr goes back multiple years, the pair forming a close bond after meeting at the Koori Knockout.

Since then, the Storm winger has provided words of advice as the teenager has grown from Steelers junior to NRL player.

"I like to play similar to him, he plays wing and I've played a bit of wing," Sloan said. "I try to mimic his game, it's obviously hard because he's one of the best.

"I met him through a couple of Koori Knockout carnivals and he's always stayed in touch."

While he has formed a bond with the game's top Indigenous stars, Sloan is also looking to one of the NRL's greatest fullbacks as he aims to secure St George Illawarra's No.1 jumper in 2022.

With Dufty departing at the end of the season, the teenager is in a battle with Cody Ramsey for the role next year.

Coach Anthony Griffin has identified defence as a key skill in a long-term fullback and Sloan has turned to a former legend to model his game on.

"Hook said he's big on defence and if I want that No. 1 jersey, I have to be the best defensive player here. That's something I need to work on and I'm actually keen to do that. It helps my game and I can add another skill to my game.

"I've been looking at some video of Billy Slater lately because he was one of the best to do it in the fullback role."