One to watch: Jason Saab

[BLM01]

So on this occasion who is responsible for this amazing feet? Is it Millward who does not have last say or is it Mary who hasn't a clue.

I suppose we have to wait until the results are in:
If Saab and Ravalawa are our future pair of wingers.
If Ravalawa proves to be a good winger.
If Saab stays on after his curent contract expires.

Since you mention “feet”
I would say Mary as he has his “feet” in all areas of the building

 

[getsmarty]

Opportunity knocks for disgruntled Dragon

• 
  Mitch Jennings

Dragons Den

CHANCE: Wantaway Dragon Jason Saab may get his crack at first grade after Jordan Pereira as charged by the match review committee. Picture: NRL Imagery


DRAGONS fans could get their wish to see young flyer Jason Saab in action this week after Jordan Pereira was slapped with a grade three careless high tackle charge following his side's win over the Titans on Saturday.

Pereira grabbed a second-half four-pointer in the 20-8 win but found himself on report for a high shot that cost the Titans new recruit Corey Thompson for the remainder of the match.


The grade three charge carries a base penalty of three game on the sidelines, though it can be reduced to two with an early guilty plea.

Should the club take that option, it leaves the door open for Saab to make his first appearance of the season after the club knocked back multiple requests for a release from the 19-year-old's management.

It's sparked fears of mass exodus, with Issac Luke released to link with Brisbane last week and James Graham expected to follow him out the door to link with St Helens.

The club has denied separate reports that Tristan Sailor, who'll also come into the selection frame if Pereira's rubbed out, has also asked out of his deal as players fac frustrating weekends on the sideline if they miss the 17 in the absence of a reserve grade comp.

Saab has warmed up in kit the past two weeks as 18th man and will likely get his first shot against the Roosters after scoring three tries in three games last season before suffering a broken foot.

He also underwent off-season shoulder surgery that limited his preseason but remains under contract until the end of 2022 alongside Mikaele Ravalawa, who this week recommitted for three more years.

While Saab's chomping at the bit to get on the park, doing so against the Roosters will be a daunting task after the defending premiers outlasted Parramatta 24-10 in a blockbuster on Saturday.


The Dragons have won two on the trot but will start rank outsiders, with Paul McGregor saying his side will need a vast improvement to test their traditional rivals.

"They're playing a good brand of footy, and exciting brand of footy and they apply pressure through how hard they attack the ball," McGregor said.

"They attack the space well, they've got people moving and after that they get their line going really hard at you and force you into uncomfortable situations.

"It's about us really making sure that we reverse that and apply a bit of pressure to them. They're a very good football said, they're dual premiership-winners, and they're playing the game at speed which is what it needs to be played at."

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6800566/opportunity-knocks-for-disgruntled-dragon/?cs=3713

 

[BLM01]

Opportunity knocks for disgruntled Dragon

• 
  Mitch Jennings

Dragons Den

CHANCE: Wantaway Dragon Jason Saab may get his crack at first grade after Jordan Pereira as charged by the match review committee. Picture: NRL Imagery


DRAGONS fans could get their wish to see young flyer Jason Saab in action this week after Jordan Pereira was slapped with a grade three careless high tackle charge following his side's win over the Titans on Saturday.

Pereira grabbed a second-half four-pointer in the 20-8 win but found himself on report for a high shot that cost the Titans new recruit Corey Thompson for the remainder of the match.


The grade three charge carries a base penalty of three game on the sidelines, though it can be reduced to two with an early guilty plea.

Should the club take that option, it leaves the door open for Saab to make his first appearance of the season after the club knocked back multiple requests for a release from the 19-year-old's management.

It's sparked fears of mass exodus, with Issac Luke released to link with Brisbane last week and James Graham expected to follow him out the door to link with St Helens.

The club has denied separate reports that Tristan Sailor, who'll also come into the selection frame if Pereira's rubbed out, has also asked out of his deal as players fac frustrating weekends on the sideline if they miss the 17 in the absence of a reserve grade comp.

Saab has warmed up in kit the past two weeks as 18th man and will likely get his first shot against the Roosters after scoring three tries in three games last season before suffering a broken foot.

He also underwent off-season shoulder surgery that limited his preseason but remains under contract until the end of 2022 alongside Mikaele Ravalawa, who this week recommitted for three more years.

While Saab's chomping at the bit to get on the park, doing so against the Roosters will be a daunting task after the defending premiers outlasted Parramatta 24-10 in a blockbuster on Saturday.


The Dragons have won two on the trot but will start rank outsiders, with Paul McGregor saying his side will need a vast improvement to test their traditional rivals.

"They're playing a good brand of footy, and exciting brand of footy and they apply pressure through how hard they attack the ball," McGregor said.

"They attack the space well, they've got people moving and after that they get their line going really hard at you and force you into uncomfortable situations.

"It's about us really making sure that we reverse that and apply a bit of pressure to them. They're a very good football said, they're dual premiership-winners, and they're playing the game at speed which is what it needs to be played at."

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6800566/opportunity-knocks-for-disgruntled-dragon/?cs=3713

Thats right McWinLittle praise the Roosters and somehow you easily can identify what they do well.
All you can say is "we will try and reverse what they do by applying a bit of pressure"
Sorry a bit wont cut it...and we saw how a bit turned out last week...in how we blew away an injury depleted reserve grade side in the 2nd half in a hard fought 6 all draw.
How about stacks of pressure and a fast uptempo game for 80 in their face..or is that beyond us?

 

[Dragon David]

Thats right McWinLittle praise the Roosters and somehow you easily can identify what they do well.
All you can say is "we will try and reverse what they do by applying a bit of pressure"
Sorry a bit wont cut it...and we saw how a bit turned out last week...in how we blew away an injury depleted reserve grade side in the 2nd half in a hard fought 6 all draw.
How about stacks of pressure and a fast uptempo game for 80 in their face..or is that beyond us?

This!

 

[RED73V]

Thats right McWinLittle praise the Roosters and somehow you easily can identify what they do well.
All you can say is "we will try and reverse what they do by applying a bit of pressure"
Sorry a bit wont cut it...and we saw how a bit turned out last week...in how we blew away an injury depleted reserve grade side in the 2nd half in a hard fought 6 all draw.
How about stacks of pressure and a fast uptempo game for 80 in their face..or is that beyond us?

Under McGregor we have not played a full 80 minutes forever!! The last time we did was under Bennett . Can anyone think of one game when this occurred & we didn’t switch off ??

 

[BLM01]

Under McGregor we have not played a full 80 minutes forever!! The last time we did was under Bennett . Can anyone think of one game when this occurred & we didn’t switch off ??

Semi final 2018 would possibly be 1 I could think of

 

[qld redvee]

Thats right McWinLittle praise the Roosters and somehow you easily can identify what they do well.
All you can say is "we will try and reverse what they do by applying a bit of pressure"
Sorry a bit wont cut it...and we saw how a bit turned out last week...in how we blew away an injury depleted reserve grade side in the 2nd half in a hard fought 6 all draw.
How about stacks of pressure and a fast uptempo game for 80 in their face..or is that beyond us?

BLM01,
what about his last line ... " they're playing the game at speed which is wahat is needed to be played at .." What a mouthful !!! So if supercoach knows that the game has to go uptempo do you think he has changed his game plan accordingly ??? ( hope flanno / shepp have done something)
And confidence in "we will TRY " well that makes me feel warm and fuzzy that he has primed the troops to try to stop what the roosters are doing ... I at least hope we try and get saab involved to take advantage of his height ....

 

[getsmarty]

Recalled Saab still wants out of Dragons due to long commute
Christian Nicolussi
June 25, 2020 — 6.17pm

Rookie winger Jason Saab still wants to quit St George Illawarra, despite being called up for his first NRL game of the season on Friday night.

Saab plans to meet with club officials next week and request a release – for a third time.

The 19-year-old has no issues with coach Paul McGregor nor has any interest in pressing the Dragons for more money or game time. The Herald understands he simply wants to play for a Sydney-based club, where he will be spared the daily 3½-hour round trip to Wollongong to train.

Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler have revealed which players they'd buy for certain clubs, outside of all the usual constraints.

Saab is almost two metres tall and has no shortage of rival clubs hoping to pounce if the Dragons cut him loose.

No clubs can make the teenager an offer because he is contracted until the end of 2022, but his management have fielded plenty of inquiries from those aware of his wish to continue living at home in western Sydney and help look after his two younger siblings.

Wests Tigers are particularly interested if Saab can gain a release, especially after they allowed Corey Thompson to chase a better and longer deal with the Gold Coast.

Dragons winger Jason Saab has been reinstated but will again ask for a release next week.Credit:Getty

Canterbury, Manly and South Sydney are also monitoring the situation, while Cronulla were also briefly interested until last week when they recruited Bryson Goodwin and Nene Macdonald.

The Dragons want to end the whispers and will meet with Saab and his manager Mario Tartak next week. The deadline for mid-season transfers is August 3.

Saab played three NRL games last year and scored as many tries, and only got his chance against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night because of Jordan Pereira's two-match ban.

McGregor said Saab had indicated to him he was committed to the Red V and was excited about his first top-flight game this year.

"The situation is Jason is with the club another few years, and I understand there has been some conversation around him wanting an early release,'' McGregor said.

"But Jason and I have a good working relationship, and I gave him his NRL debut at a young age last year.

"He's fit and ready to play now. He hasn't been in the past, and he gets his opportunity this week.

"He's certainly ready to go and deserves his position in this football team.

"We've had a conversation [about the contract speculation], but he's made it quite clear he wants to play first grade at this club ... he's ready.''

Dragons coach Paul McGregor hopes his club can post a third straight win on Friday against the premiers.Credit:AAP

The Dragons have defeated Cronulla and the Gold Coast Titans but will be at big odds to defeat reigning premiers and competition favourites the Sydney Roosters, who are chasing a fifth straight win.

The Dragons officially released James Graham on Thursday with the tough veteran to finish the year back home in England with St Helens. McGregor said the club was keen to find a replacement and had two spots they needed to fill.


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/re...gons-due-to-long-commute-20200625-p5567r.html

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Recalled Saab still wants out of Dragons due to long commute
Christian Nicolussi
June 25, 2020 — 6.17pm

Rookie winger Jason Saab still wants to quit St George Illawarra, despite being called up for his first NRL game of the season on Friday night.

Saab plans to meet with club officials next week and request a release – for a third time.

The 19-year-old has no issues with coach Paul McGregor nor has any interest in pressing the Dragons for more money or game time. The Herald understands he simply wants to play for a Sydney-based club, where he will be spared the daily 3½-hour round trip to Wollongong to train.

Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler have revealed which players they'd buy for certain clubs, outside of all the usual constraints.

Saab is almost two metres tall and has no shortage of rival clubs hoping to pounce if the Dragons cut him loose.

No clubs can make the teenager an offer because he is contracted until the end of 2022, but his management have fielded plenty of inquiries from those aware of his wish to continue living at home in western Sydney and help look after his two younger siblings.

Wests Tigers are particularly interested if Saab can gain a release, especially after they allowed Corey Thompson to chase a better and longer deal with the Gold Coast.

Dragons winger Jason Saab has been reinstated but will again ask for a release next week.Credit:Getty

Canterbury, Manly and South Sydney are also monitoring the situation, while Cronulla were also briefly interested until last week when they recruited Bryson Goodwin and Nene Macdonald.

The Dragons want to end the whispers and will meet with Saab and his manager Mario Tartak next week. The deadline for mid-season transfers is August 3.

Saab played three NRL games last year and scored as many tries, and only got his chance against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night because of Jordan Pereira's two-match ban.

McGregor said Saab had indicated to him he was committed to the Red V and was excited about his first top-flight game this year.

"The situation is Jason is with the club another few years, and I understand there has been some conversation around him wanting an early release,'' McGregor said.

"But Jason and I have a good working relationship, and I gave him his NRL debut at a young age last year.

"He's fit and ready to play now. He hasn't been in the past, and he gets his opportunity this week.

"He's certainly ready to go and deserves his position in this football team.

"We've had a conversation [about the contract speculation], but he's made it quite clear he wants to play first grade at this club ... he's ready.''

Dragons coach Paul McGregor hopes his club can post a third straight win on Friday against the premiers.Credit:AAP

The Dragons have defeated Cronulla and the Gold Coast Titans but will be at big odds to defeat reigning premiers and competition favourites the Sydney Roosters, who are chasing a fifth straight win.

The Dragons officially released James Graham on Thursday with the tough veteran to finish the year back home in England with St Helens. McGregor said the club was keen to find a replacement and had two spots they needed to fill.


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/re...gons-due-to-long-commute-20200625-p5567r.html

I just don’t get the long commute thing, I’ve worked all over Australia and overseas. He needs to grow up and be a man. It’s time to move out into the big bad world and move to the gong.

 

[The calm one]

Recalled Saab still wants out of Dragons due to long commute
Christian Nicolussi
June 25, 2020 — 6.17pm

Rookie winger Jason Saab still wants to quit St George Illawarra, despite being called up for his first NRL game of the season on Friday night.

Saab plans to meet with club officials next week and request a release – for a third time.

The 19-year-old has no issues with coach Paul McGregor nor has any interest in pressing the Dragons for more money or game time. The Herald understands he simply wants to play for a Sydney-based club, where he will be spared the daily 3½-hour round trip to Wollongong to train.

Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler have revealed which players they'd buy for certain clubs, outside of all the usual constraints.

Saab is almost two metres tall and has no shortage of rival clubs hoping to pounce if the Dragons cut him loose.

No clubs can make the teenager an offer because he is contracted until the end of 2022, but his management have fielded plenty of inquiries from those aware of his wish to continue living at home in western Sydney and help look after his two younger siblings.

Wests Tigers are particularly interested if Saab can gain a release, especially after they allowed Corey Thompson to chase a better and longer deal with the Gold Coast.

Dragons winger Jason Saab has been reinstated but will again ask for a release next week.Credit:Getty

Canterbury, Manly and South Sydney are also monitoring the situation, while Cronulla were also briefly interested until last week when they recruited Bryson Goodwin and Nene Macdonald.

The Dragons want to end the whispers and will meet with Saab and his manager Mario Tartak next week. The deadline for mid-season transfers is August 3.

Saab played three NRL games last year and scored as many tries, and only got his chance against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night because of Jordan Pereira's two-match ban.

McGregor said Saab had indicated to him he was committed to the Red V and was excited about his first top-flight game this year.

"The situation is Jason is with the club another few years, and I understand there has been some conversation around him wanting an early release,'' McGregor said.

"But Jason and I have a good working relationship, and I gave him his NRL debut at a young age last year.

"He's fit and ready to play now. He hasn't been in the past, and he gets his opportunity this week.

"He's certainly ready to go and deserves his position in this football team.

"We've had a conversation [about the contract speculation], but he's made it quite clear he wants to play first grade at this club ... he's ready.''

Dragons coach Paul McGregor hopes his club can post a third straight win on Friday against the premiers.Credit:AAP

The Dragons have defeated Cronulla and the Gold Coast Titans but will be at big odds to defeat reigning premiers and competition favourites the Sydney Roosters, who are chasing a fifth straight win.

The Dragons officially released James Graham on Thursday with the tough veteran to finish the year back home in England with St Helens. McGregor said the club was keen to find a replacement and had two spots they needed to fill.


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/re...gons-due-to-long-commute-20200625-p5567r.html

Jason, if the train travel is to much for you and this is the real reason why you want out, can you please do us all a favour and GROW UP, sook.
Jason people who actually work for a living, you know like 8 hours a day, 5 days a week travel from the central coast to the Sydney CBD every day and return. Yes that's right that what happens in the real world. You whinge that you have to do it, so you can run around a football field for a couple of hours.
The length of your train trip hasn't got and longer since you signed your contract so, suck it up and get to like it.
Jason you are a professional sportsman who dosent have to work for a living and your greatest gripe is the ride on the Choo Choo.
But we have to be realistic and if the train ride is to much you, instead of sulking about it why don't you do something that a person with average intelligence would do. MOVE CLOSER.
If you start to threat for mummy we will get her to gift wrap your toilet paper for you. FMD, professional footballer, what a joke.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Jason, if the train travel is to much for you and this is the real reason why you want out, can you please do us all a favour and GROW UP, sook.
Jason people who actually work for a living, you know like 8 hours a day, 5 days a week travel from the central coast to the Sydney CBD every day and return. Yes that's right that what happens in the real world. You whinge that you have to do it, so you can run around a football field for a couple of hours.
The length of your train trip hasn't got and longer since you signed your contract so, suck it up and get to like it.
Jason you are a professional sportsman who dosent have to work for a living and your greatest gripe is the ride on the Choo Choo.
But we have to be realistic and if the train ride is to much you, instead of sulking about it why don't you do something that a person with average intelligence would do. MOVE CLOSER.
If you start to threat for mummy we will get her to gift wrap your toilet paper for you. FMD, professional footballer, what a joke.

Agree, the gong is nice anyway I’ve worked and lived in a lot worse places probably on a lot less money. Either man up and move to the gong or man up and publicly denounce Mary and all will be forgiven.

 

[Dragon David]

Just let him go! If he continues to want out then his heart is not for us and will show this on the pitch. I can't see him being happy and you need players to be happy to bounce off each other. As a few have said, if the commute is too long, move to the Gong and let Mum look after the siblings.

 

[Saints Forever]

The suggestion that the kid wants out because he has to travel by train is symptomatic of where we are as a club.

Surely a senior player living in Sydney could take him under his wing and drive the boy to training and back home again.

We are not going the extra mile as an administration and club to achieve success.

If we had a quality coach and were winning, would Saab want out?

I doubt it.

Instead, after being told he is part of the future going forward, McGregor plays Pereira and Rabs. The underlying issue is he doesn’t feel wanted.

Little wonder the kid wants out.

 

[hewi]

Third time he wants a release , to me it looks as if he will keep finding an excuse till the club excepts one. He only signed the long term contract last year knowing about the commute then bad luck I say.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Where does it say he travels by train?

 

[BLM01]

Third time he wants a release , to me it looks as if he will keep finding an excuse till the club excepts one. He only signed the long term contract last year knowing about the commute then bad luck I say.

Yes the manager is going through the book of excuses and now its the emotional chapter...whether it be travel, family but all that did not matter last year
They have exhausted the blackmail options of other clubs chasing him, not getting a start etc etc and we have bent over accordingly
What in the hell do we have ATM to make him happy about staying..(says the player manager in his ear),,and at the monent with recent decisions made frankly I dont blame him
My experience is with young blokes...if someone does not want to be there anymore..then dont waste your time..
Mc0..he has fallen out of love with you and the club....like the fans have with you..recognise it and own up to it

 

[Dragon David]

Where does it say he travels by train?

There is no mention that he travels by train. It takes him three and a half hours to commute for training their and back. It says "to train", not to catch a train.

 

[The calm one]

There is no mention that he travels by train. It takes him three and a half hours to commute for training their and back. It says "to train", not to catch a train.

Does it really matter if he catches a train, boat or plane. The point is, he is either a sook or as previously stated his manager is starting to scrape the bottom of the barrell for excuses. I couldn't give a stuff what form of transport he takes. He knew when he signed on the dotted line, the travelling time involved. So suck it up princess and get to like it

 

[be55]

I don't really have an opinion on where we should be training out of but two points...I clearly remember Phil Gould saying that our location of our training base out of Wollongong would in the long run continue to cost us players wanting to sign with us because of the commute from Sydney to Wollongong would be a turn off to players who live in Sydney and obviously I don't know for sure but I bet money that this point would have been made by Gould in his review and also I remember at the time we were chasing Keary as a replacement for Widdop the word on the street was that we threw everything but the kitchen sink at him to get him to sign but one of the sticking points on his side was he didn't want to move to Wollongong and that he wanted to stay in Sydney... I'm not one of these people who was a Dragons supporter who know wants to break away from Illawarra but this problem of players who don't want to sign because of the daily commute to training is something maybe the club might have to look into and address or it could continue to cost us signing talent in the future...we don't need any more reasons for players not to sign at the moment the overall state of the club and the way it is run is a big enough turn off as it is....

 

[Old Timer]

The kid signed the contract probably for certainty as nobody was chasing hard for his signature.

Now that others want his signature he has more options available.

So like any person that is employed in any type of work if someone is willing to try poach you and is offering better circumstances than you currently have then most of us would look for a way to get out of our current situation.