Shane Flanagan says Clint Gutherson's arrival at St George Illawarra won't stall Tyrell Sloan's development, insisting the NRL club's key off-season recruit can help the Dragons flyer reach new heights.
The acquisition of ex-Parramatta captain Gutherson is the Dragons' most-significant off-season signing after the Red V terminated the contract of skipper Ben Hunt.
Flanagan on Friday said that Gutherson had already shown his commitment to the Dragons by renting a holiday home near to the club's training base in Wollongong.
The Dragons coach said unless something "drastically happens", Gutherson would be his fullback come round one.
That declaration will raise concerns over Sloan's future given the fullback has shown the potential to be the club's long-term No.1.
But rather than being disheartened, Flanagan explained the 22-year-old Sloan was excited at the prospect of shadowing Gutherson.
"I've spoken to Tyrell and 'Gutho' is only going to help him develop," he said.
"When I had discussions with Tyrell I could feel a bit of excitement in his voice when we told him (Gutherson) was coming, which was surprising.
"He hasn't had that mentor in our backline who can teach him. Sometimes it's great to hear it from another player.
"Tyrell is going to play fullback, wing, maybe even centre because he's a quality young players.
"He'll develop and hopefully with Gutho here, he'll develop a little bit quicker."
Flanagan said Gutherson and fellow recruit Damien Cook were the standout contenders to replace Hunt as captain.
Gutherson may have already earned himself a head start in Flanagan's thinking.
The Dragons revealed the 30-year-old had relocated to a rental property in Wollongong without his family in a bid to start life at his new club on the right foot.
He also won the team's race up Mount Keira on Friday despite concerns over his fitness following an injury-plagued final year at Parramatta.
"Every player now knows that's what we got him here for - to set examples and standards and not just his on-field ability," Flanagan said.
"He's down here already, away from family and he'll do that before he finds somewhere to stay permanently - that's a sign of how invested he is in our club.
"At the back end of last year, Clint was his own worst enemy and was playing with a torn quad and rib cartilage damage.
"He battled away and didn't want to let his team down ... people were saying he's old and tired but he was standing up for his club and we are lucky to have him."
Meanwhile, Flanagan said the exit of Hunt left no sour taste in his mouth after parting ways with the wantaway playmaker a fortnight ago.
Flanagan likened the split with Hunt, who has yet to find a new club but spent years agitating to leave the Dragons, to a break-up from a relationship.
"It just wasn't a happy marriage and we needed to move and I wish Ben all the best," Flanagan said.
"We never had an argument the whole time he was here ... but some marriages work, some don't."
