St George Illawarra Dragons forward Dylan Egan has endorsed long-term teammate Hamish Stewart for a call-up to the Australian Kangaroos squad for this year's upcoming World Cup.
The duo progressed through the Illawarra pathways together following their time at clubland in Gerringong, both spending two seasons together in Harold Matthews and SG Ball before moving up to Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup.
Both have taken leaps and bounds in their opportunities, and have been a shining light in what has been a tough season on the paddock for the Red V.
Stewart has earned the praise of his head coach Dean Young, who endorsed the rising star to make his international debut in 2026.
“He's a special talent, and it wouldn't shock me if Kevvie Walters picks him in the Australian tour at the end of the year; he's that good,” Young said of Stewart following the win against the Sharks in Round 23.
“(Stewart) is a bloke that can play edge backrow and middle just as good with his skill set… he's got a big future, and it's going to be at the Dragons.”
Despite results not going their way in 2026, Egan has full trust in Stewart to have done enough for Australia coach Kevin Walters to deliver him some good news ahead of October's tournament.
"I think 'Deano' touched on it in the press conference. I think his (Stewart's) versatility is really good. He can play almost anywhere," Egan said on Wednesday ahead of the Dragons' Las Vegas rematch with the Bulldogs.
"As you've seen, making his debut in the middle in the lock, and then this year's he found himself on the edge, and then even in the centre, a little bit for a couple games when we get someone sent to the bin.
"So (definitely) his versatility is huge. I think he's another player that would just go out there and give his all, and I think that's the player that you want to play alongside."
Egan is paving his own path in the NRL and has hit the ground running since returning from an ACL rupture earlier in the year.
The rookie forward has been given captaincy honours for when Damien Cook is off the field during Clinton Gutherson's injury absence.
The local junior is taking the opportunity with both hands, conceding he hasn't yet grasped the magnitude of his achievement of captaining the side so early in his career.
"I still think it probably hasn't hit me yet," Egan said, reflecting on his first time as Dragons co-skipper.
"I know before the game, I was probably trying to sweep it under the rug and didn't want to get too nervous, but I guess the longer I sit on it, and I look back at it, it definitely means a lot for me and my family.
"I'm a big talker on the field. Not too much off the field, but I like to lead by example. I'm not going to do anything too special out in the field, but I know I do my roles and do it to the best of my ability."
It's expected Egan is in line to be the long-term captain of the club into the next decade, but remained full of praise for his two current skippers in Damien Cook and Gutherson.
"I think 'Cooky's' influence has been instrumental. Him and Gutho have been our leaders for the last two years now, and they've definitely got two different leadership styles, but I definitely take what I can from each one of them," he added.
Dragons teammate Daniel Atkinson was all for Egan's first stint as captain, hailing his toughness and his ability to hit the ground running following a long injury lay-off.
"I thought he did an outstanding job. What's his win rate, 100%?" Atkinson said when quizzed on Egan's captaincy debut.
"I was so happy for him when he got captain. Since I came here, he's been a real leader, coming back from his ACL. It's good to see the character of Dyl, and he leads by his actions.
"Probably not a man of many words, but when he leads by his actions, I think he does enough talking."
The Dragons' quest to jump off the bottom of the ladder is growing in confidence, and the gap between them and second-last Broncos has shrunk to two wins following a late-season run of form.
They will finish the 2026 season with matches against the Bulldogs, Manly and Eels.
