One to watch: Jason Saab

[Dragonslayer]

So Lovodua looks to be our backup hooker and so it is likely that Luke is not coming to the Dragons.

Not so sure about that. I stull think Luke wull join us, but Manly's situation may change things, unless he's signed on the dotted line with us already.
Lovodua may spend a year as the back-up for the back-up, given he can play numerous positions.

 

[Dragonsamy]

So Lovodua looks to be our backup hooker and so it is likely that Luke is not coming to the Dragons.

Agree re Lovodua but also back up bench player as he can cover back row as well

 

[Dragon Revival]

Our top 24 does not include Sailor, Timm, Gigot or Luke and only Sullivan as a Development Player. Further moves will probably be underwhelming with the probable loss of De Belin and Graham next year.

 

[BLM01]

Flanagan will have a positive influence on Frizell, Lomax and Leilua and so, I am not expecting any of these 3 players to go. It may just be that De Belin and Graham in the forwards and Aitken, Lafai, Dufty, and Pearson/Ravalawa will be leaving at the end of 2020.

It will be interesting to see who gets the fullback role, the centre pairing, and the right wing role in 2020.

ATM no doubt it will be Dufty, Saab RHS, Periera LHS, Zac & Aitken or Lafai (one to be omitted)

 

[BLM01]

So Lovodua looks to be our backup hooker and so it is likely that Luke is not coming to the Dragons.

Disagree you need 4 hookers between 2 grades. Luke is coming on a 1? year deal and will be a basement buy and shift between reggies and 1sts.
Lovudua will start in reggies at 9. He needs a good season there if he is to be a future 1st grade hooker but will come up and cover other backrow spots if needed which I doubt as we have a plethora of backrowers.

 

[Dragonsamy]

Disagree you need 4 hookers between 2 grades. Luke is coming on a 1? year deal and will be a basement buy and shift between reggies and 1sts.
Lovudua will start in reggies at 9. He needs a good season there if he is to be a future 1st grade hooker but will come up and cover other backrow spots if needed which I doubt as we have a plethora of backrowers.

BLM he may have a chance about SOO time.

 

[BLM01]

BLM he may have a chance about SOO time.

Fair enough as will probably 4-5 others...actually on form maybe 1 or 2 at best it should be

 

[getsmarty]

Jason Saab provides injury update and goals for 2020
St George Illawarra Dragons winger Jason Saab provides an update on his injuries and outlines his impressive goals for 2020.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/11/28/jason-saab-provides-injury-update-and-goals-for-2020/

 

[getsmarty]

Hoping he has a solid year.

 

[Belta]

Hoping he has a solid year.

Me to, he seems to be a humble and level headed young man with some purposeful goals. Hopefully he remains injury free and continues to strengthen his body as I believe he could become a real potent winger. I feel we may just need to be a little patient before we see his best.

 

[Gareth67]

Me to, he seems to be a humble and level headed young man with some purposeful goals. Hopefully he remains injury free and continues to strengthen his body as I believe he could become a real potent winger. I feel we may just need to be a little patient before we see his best.

Agree Belta , Saab along with young Sailor will be marvelous additions to the top grade side , but only when they are fully prepared to meet that challenge - body wise both need those extra kilos to ensure their success .

 

[Wittenberg]

Our top 24 does not include Sailor, Timm, Gigot or Luke and only Sullivan as a Development Player. Further moves will probably be underwhelming with the probable loss of De Belin and Graham next year.

Graham’s repeated head knocks are a worry. I think he should retire. As for JDB, innocent or guilty I don’t want him near the place. We will have him at training again next year, supposedly against the wishes of Frizz. I know the Club has to stand by him until things are resolved but he is not helping the Club at all.....and gives Mary an ongoing excuse.

 

[getsmarty]

Jason Saab running smoothly ahead of St George Illawarra Dragons' 2020 NRL season

• Local Sport
  
  
  
  Jason Saab will look to make the most of his opportunities at the Dragons next season. Picture: Anna Warr
• 
  
• Jason Saab is keen to shake off the injuries that crippled the end of his debut NRL season and stake his claim for a place on the end of St George Illawarra's backline.
  
  The giant 19-year-old winger made his NRL debut for the Dragons in round 19 last season against South Sydney, the team he supported as a child.
  
  The Rabbitohs ran out 20-16 winners that night at ANZ Stadium but Saab showed his worth, scoring two tries.
  
  The 199-centimetre winger, one of the tallest players in the NRL, also made appearances against Parramatta and the Gold Coast, with Saab's first win coming against the Titans at Kogarah.
  
  But while shoulder and foot injuries put an end to his campaign, the NSW under-18s and 20s and Australian Schoolboys representative is keen to make up for lost time next season.
  
  "My goals for next year, I don't like to set the bar extremely high. Just more realistic. I tend to work harder at the little goals then the bigger goals keep piling in," he said.
  
  "So my main goal really is just to play consistent footy. I do want to be playing first grade all year and be consistent at that. But I'm also only 19 and there's going to be a lot of learning experiences along the way.
  
  "So it doesn't matter where I'm playing as long as I'm doing my best to make myself a better player I'm sure I'll be alright. And hopefully I can stay injury free at the back end of next year and play Junior Kangaroos. I missed out on my opportunity this year. I want to play Origin 20s again, It's always an honour to pull on the blue jersey. So those are the main goals, nothing too extreme. But that's where my expectations are at."
  
  Saab could be part of a youthful looking backline for the Dragons next season, with coach Paul McGregor reportedly set to give Zac Lomax the first shot at fullback at the expense of the out-of-favour Matt Dufty.
  
  Saab said he was managing his injuries through pre-season but was looking forward to 2020.
  
  "They're going alright. I was unfortunate to be ruled out three games in [to playing first grade]. It was a very short experience for this year but we'll be back next year," he said.
  
  "The shoulder is going really well, it's ahead of where it should be on schedule. With the foot it's a bit more of a process, it's all about load management. You don't want it happening again and having another long rehab. It's just about making sure it's 100 per cent."
  
  While the Dragons have lost captain Gareth Widdop they will still boast a strong spine of Ben Hunt and Corey Norman in the halves, reigning Dragons player of the year Cameron McInnes at hooker and future star Lomax at fullback.
  
  The Dragons open their 2020 NRL season at home in Wollongong against Wests Tigers on March 15.
  
  St George Illawarra make their first appearance at Kogarah in round two, hosting Penrith.

https://www.theleader.com.au/story/6516968/saab-running-smoothly-ahead-of-2020-season/?cs=1633

 

[sa1nt5]

Yep Luc was one to watch as well, now we get to watch him walk out the door. Saab will be no different if the status quo remains

 

[getsmarty]

NSWRL NEWS


Jason Saab primed for big 2020
Author
Tom Gibbs
Timestamp
Wed 8 Jan 2020, 08:00 AM

After representing NSW at under-18 and under-20 level as well as the prestigious Australian Schoolboys, Jason Saab was destined for a first-grade start.

That is exactly what he achieved in his Round 19 this season, at just 18 years of age, as the St George Illawarra Dragons took on premiership heavyweights South Sydney at ANZ Stadium. Saab scored twice in that match, the first Dragon to do so on debut since 2011, and went on to make two more appearances for the Red V in 2019.

Following such a great start to his first-grade career so far, there is little doubt that we will see plenty more of Jason Saab in 2020 and for years to come in the national competition. From this year’s three-game stint in the NRL, Saab left no stone unturned to come up with three tries, one line-break, four tackle-breaks, three offloads and 258 run metres.

In a crucial off-season of retention at the Dragons with the re-signings of Zac Lomax and Tristan Sailor, Saab is also locked in until at least the end of 2022 in a youthful and vastly skilled squad that is shaping up to take the club well into the future.

To cap off a superb 12 months of achievements for the promising winger, Saab was named as one of 16 Future Blues in Brad Fittler’s 64-man squad of NSW players who attended a two-day camp in December.

Going into next season, the now 19-year-old Saab will be looking to earn his second NSW under-20s cap and add to his handful of NRL starts for St George Illawarra.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/01/08/jason-saab-primed-for-big-season/

 

[getsmarty]

NRL NEWS


NRL.com name Saab as 2020 rookie to watch
Author
Troy Whittaker NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Fri 7 Feb 2020, 10:01 AM

Following one of the strongest rookie classes in recent memory, a new batch of emerging players have been earmarked to take the NRL by storm.

The likes of Broncos behemoth Payne Haas, Eels powerhouse Maika Sivo, Cronulla speedster Bronson Xerri and Storm sensation Ryan Papenhuyzen all became household names last year.

NRL.com has selected a relative newcomer from each club with the potential to enjoy similarly spectacular seasons in 2020.

Brisbane Broncos
Xavier Coates

• Date of birth: March 12, 2001
• Position: Wing/centre
• NRL appearances: 3
• Representative honours: Papua New Guinea (2019), Queensland under 18s (2018, 2019)

Xavier Coates soared onto the NRL scene in round 16 last year when he scored a spectacular try from a kick to help the depleted Broncos claim a famous win against Cronulla.

Coates announces himself in the NRL with a beauty


Coates announces himself in the NRL with a beauty

Before then, the teenager performed well on international debut for Papua New Guinea and was named Man of the Match in Queensland's under 18s victory over New South Wales.

Capable of playing wing, centre or fullback, Coates appears only an injury or form slump away from forcing his way into Brisbane's backline – and he could be hard to displace once he gets there.

Canberra Raiders
Harley Smith-Shields

• Date of birth: January 12, 2000
• Position: Centre
• NRL appearances: Yet to debut
• Representative honours: Nil

Canterbury Bulldogs
Brandon Wakeham

• Date of Birth: January 11, 1999
• Position: Halfback/five-eighth
• NRL appearances: 3
• Representative honours: Fiji (2019), NSW under 16s (2015)

Cronulla Sharks
Billy Magoulias

• Date of birth: January 23, 1997
• Position: Lock
• NRL appearances: 2
• Representative honours: Greece (2018, 2019), NSW under 18s (2015), NSW under 20s (2017)

Gold Coast Titans
Greg Leleisiuao

• Date of birth: April 4, 1997
• Position: Wing
• NRL appearances: Yet to debut
• Representative honours: Junior Kiwis (2016, 2017)

Manly Sea Eagles
Luke Metcalf

• Date of birth: March 1, 1999
• Position: Halfback/Five-eighth
• NRL appearances: Yet to debut
• Representative honours: NSW under 18s (2017), NSW under 16s (2015)

Melbourne Storm
Nicho Hynes

• Date of birth: June 18, 1996
• Position: Fullback/Five-eighth/Centre
• NRL appearances: 1
• Representative honours: Nil

New Zealand Warriors
Josh Curran

• Date of birth: June 10, 1999
• Position: Lock/second-row
• NRL appearances: 3
• Representative honours: Australian Schoolboys (2016), NSW under 20s (2018), NSW under 18s (2017), NSW under 16s (2015)

Newcastle Knights
Bradman Best

• Date of birth: August 9, 2001
• Position: Centre
• NRL appearances: 3
• Representative honours: NSW under 16s (2017), NSW under 18s (2018, 2019)

North Queensland Cowboys
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

• Date of birth: September 5, 2001
• Position: Fullback
• NRL appearances: Yet to debut
• Representative honours: Australian Schoolboys (2019), Queensland under 18s (2019)

Parramatta Eels
Stefano Utoikamanu

• Date of Birth: May 15, 2000
• Position: Prop
• NRL appearances: Yet to debut
• Representative honours: NSW under 20s (2019), NSW under 18s (2018), Australian Secondary Schools under 15s (2015)

Penrith Panthers
Spencer Leniu

• Date of birth: September 8, 2000
• Position: Prop
• NRL appearances: 5
• Representative honours: Australian Schoolboys (2017), NSW under 20s (2019), NSW under 18s (2018)

South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tom Amone

• Date of birth: December 19, 1996
• Position: Prop/lock
• NRL appearances: 5
• Representative honours: Junior Kiwis (2016), Australian Schoolboys (2014), NSW Residents (2019)

St George Illawarra Dragons
Jason Saab

• Date of birth: October 8, 2000
• Position: Wing
• NRL appearances: 3
• Representative honours: Australian Schoolboys (2018), NSW under 20s (2019), NSW under 18s (2018)

At 199cm and 101kg, 19-year-old Jason Saab will provide size and strength for the Dragons, not to mention being a perfect kick target.

A rule change stipulating that defenders can't tackle attacking players in mid-air should make Saab a lethal aerial weapon.

Saab impressed in three NRL starts in 2019, bagging a double on debut against the Rabbitohs before injury cut his season slightly short.

Sydney Roosters
Egan Butcher

• Date of birth: August 5, 2000
• Position: Second-row
• NRL appearances: Yet to debut
• Representative honours: NSW under 18s (2018), NSW under 16s (2016)

Wests Tigers
Tommy Talau

• Date of birth: April 3, 2000
• Position: Centre/five-eighth
• NRL appearances: 1
• Representative honours: Australian Schoolboys (2018), NSW under 18s (2018)

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/02/07/nrl.com-name-saab-as-2020-rookie-to-watch/

 

[Dragonsamy]

Hope Jason can live up to the hype.
I think he can make.
He is training hard and is a nice young guy.
He has the intensity to push for a permanent spot in the NRL team.
Good Luck Jason.
I don't want to be the kiss of death, but I think Jason up for a big year.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Saab needs to increase his upper body strength and handling. He’s still 12 months away from playing regular NRL football, in my opinion.

 

[Dragonsamy]

Saab needs to increase his upper body strength and handling. He’s still 12 months away from playing regular NRL football, in my opinion.

While I agree with you Jimmy He has put on 5kg of Muscle.
He now is 101kg but more upper body work will help.
You can't just put on upper body also leg power.
He will be an asset. I I hope he is not stuffed around. Hope he's given a decent time in the team or a decent time in cc Cup to build up for the team. No in one week out the next. .

 

[Crush]

Saab needs to increase his upper body strength and handling. He’s still 12 months away from playing regular NRL football, in my opinion.

His runs are pretty strong for a slender build. I was surprised the first time I saw him play live, he broke the line often and hit the ball up hard.
I am hopeful that he will have a good year.