Tyrell Sloan says he's buried the hatchet with coach Anthony Griffin, accepting his part in their issues and conceding he was a "big sook" last year and "needed to grow up".
Sloan starred in his return to the St George Illawarra's No.1 jersey last week, scoring two tries and setting up another to begin his third stint as Dragons fullback.
It came after a messy 12 months for the 20-year-old, who was dropped after three games last year and requested a release at the end of the season with a desire to play No.1 elsewhere.
The request was ultimately rejected, before Sloan and five-eighth Jayden Sullivan made a pact to sort things out their differences with coach Griffin and remain at the club.
"For myself, me and the coach probably didn't do our best for each other last year," Sloan told AAP.
"That's something we addressed over the off-season.
"Right now I love Hook. I understand why he dropped me last year and when everything happened there. It will only make me a better player and person going forward."
Sloan has since been handed the No.1 jersey with Cody Ramsey out for the season through illness.
But even before that, Sloan said he made a point to meet with Griffin once his initial request for a release was denied.
"It was very mutual," he said.
"I can't say it was all Hook or all me. It was both of us.
"I just needed to grow up. Full credit to Hook. What has happened has happened.
"I'll be honest, I was probably a big sook last year just expecting something to happen.
"Now it's time for me to grow up and take it on. Because I'm the only person who can do this. It's all on me."
Sloan admitted that at the time he feared he would be the player everyone at the club hated, after making clear his desire to walk away from the Dragons.
But he is now determined to win his teammates' respect, admitting he is better placed now to succeed at fullback after last year's rollercoaster.
"It was pretty hard last year," Sloan said.
"It was definitely on myself. I got a bit complacent and comfortable in No.1 and I didn't put myself in the best position to play fullback.
"Now I have put in the work I feel a lot more confident and so much more ready to play fullback.
"It is one of the hardest positions in the comp. There's a reason why only a few can do it.
"At the end of the day you are your own judge and you know if you can do it or if you play bad or play good."
