As the 2024 season approaches, a promising rookie is reportedly vying for a spot on the St George Illawarra Dragons’ Round 1 roster.
Coach Shane Flanagan compares Dylan Egan to Liam Martin, who spent last season as captain of the SG Ball Cup before moving to the NSW Cup team.
However, he has subsequently emerged as a standout throughout pre-season training, particularly in the Dragons’ scrimmage match against the Manly Sea Eagles. This has also gained him the complete support of captain Ben Hunt.
According to News Corp, Shane Flanagan has acknowledged that Egan has emerged as a real candidate for the club’s second row starting spot in Round 1 against the Gold Coast Titans.
Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Tom Eisenhuth, who arrived from the Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm, are also possibilities for the vacant back-row slot.
“Dylan Egan is a young kid who has really impressed me since we’ve come back,” Ben Hunt remarked in a recent News Corp interview.
“He is no-frills; you tell him what to do, and he does it. He’s one of our fittest forwards, and he always appears to be in the right place at the right time. He also makes excellent defensive decisions.
“He just does the little things correctly. He reminds me of Matt Gillett, who I played alongside at the Broncos; they never let their teammates down.
“He’s been very impressive.”
Shane Flanagan also commented on the youngster’s presence and feels he will be a long-term member of the Dragons’ NRL roster.
“He’s a legitimate hope. He is a tough backrower. “He is going to be a long-term first grader,” Flanagan said.
“He’s Liam Martin all over. He is tough as nails, a clever football player who speaks well in team meetings and understands the game.
“Ben (Hunt) is pleased to have him defend next to him, so that’s a rap. He represents true hope. Round one is a tall order, but Dylan Egan is a potential star.”
