Saints sign Hassan Saleh

[Willow]

Saints Sign Saleh
Sun Nov 17, 6:07pm (NSW)
Written by: Michael Carayannis
Source: Jubilee Ave
St George Illawarra have announced the signature of winger Hassan Saleh. At today's cricket day Saleh was present along with other recurits Henry Perenara, John Cross, Brett Firman and Lee Bennett. Saleh, excited at the prospect of playing for St.George Illawarra, signed officially on Thursday. He begins training with the team on Monday. Saleh who was released by the West Tigers club signed a one-year deal with the Dragons.
A crowd of over 200 turned up to watch today’s proceedings. A determined Laurie Daley outlined his ambitions for the 2003 season, a season that promises so match for the St.George Illawarra faithful. The stars of the game were new recruit Henery Perenara and fullback Reece Simmonds. Simmonds was on a hat trick on two separate occasions. CEO Peter Doust lost his wicket to a spectacular catch from coach Nathan Brown.
Jason Ryles will have his plaster removed tomorrow, after having an off season ankle operation. Chris Leikvoll is recovering well from a virus, while Shaun Timmins believes he will be right for the seasons start.
Expect former Sharks halfback Brett Firman to be the leading contender for the halfback race. Other contenders include Dean Byrne, Matt Head, Lachlen Russell and Kirean Kerr.

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

"Nickname: Hass"

Looks like one of our forummers is moving up in the world!

Moffo

 

[imported_E_A__]

As a Wests supporter, if I said I was disappointed that we lost him.....


I'd be lying.

 

[imported_SaintFirman]

Hey guys,

Just wondering, is Saleh good under the high ball and is his defence any good?

I can imagine Gaz and Haz(Look it rhymes!) speeding away for tries, but will he add anything defensively?

He seems like a promising player.. no matter what anyone thinks, and only time will tell if he adapts to the Red and White jersey.

Later..

 

[Willow]

EA: He didnt set the world on fire but nor did anyone else it that team. I'm willing to admit that farrar was at best an ordinary coach but Terry Lamb... well... best left unsaid...

Hassandidnt make any worst player lists in 2002 and the little I saw he seemed OK.

He's only 23 and aswith all things, a good player needs a better coach... so plenty of time to mould him into the right jersey.

GO HASS !

 

[imported_E_A__]

LOL Willow.

You <u>are</u> a typical Saints supporter.

You crave disappointment.

I'm going to enjoy next season.

 

[Willow]

lol.. I'll hold to that EA... I'll predict that Saleh will score 10 tries or more in 2003 and you'll eat your words.

 

[pepe]

if saleh does'nt make it in league he can turn his attention to gymnastics,he did the splits after scoring a try last season,i along with the commentators cringed at the time,us mere mortals would have torn every groin/hamstring muscle in our body.

pepe

 

[imported_pastor-borderline]

10 tries?- I can see that. EA eating his words?- It's not going to happen

 

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[imported_E_A__]

lol Meth.

Willow, 10 tries?

Christ, he score 8 in the worst backline in the comp. You're confident he can get over the line twice more than that? Just cross your fingers that his runs to the line don't include actually having to beat anyone.

From what I've read in here and at others comms, some Saints supporters think this bloke is going to rival Nathan Blacklock.

Here are his full stats. He likes errors.
<table border=1 cellpadding=1 cellspacing=0 width=426> <tbody> <tr bgcolor=#cccccc> <td>:: STATISTICS ::</td></tr> <tr> <td> <table border=1 bordercolor=#cccccc cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width="100%"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor=#f0f0f0> <td colspan=5>2002 Season</td></tr> <tr> <td>App</td> <td>Trs</td> <td>Gls</td> <td>F/G</td> <td>Pts</td></tr> <tr> <td>24</td> <td>8</td> <td>1</td> <td>0</td> <td>34</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table border=1 bordercolor=#cccccc cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width="100%"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor=#f0f0f0> <td colspan=5>Statistics</td></tr> <tr> <td width="20%">Tackles</td> <td width="20%">Line Breaks</td> <td width="20%">Hitups</td> <td width="20%">Runs</td> <td width="20%">Tackles 1 on 1</td></tr> <tr> <td>151</td> <td>7</td> <td>1</td> <td>296</td> <td>43</td></tr> <tr> <td>Mistackles</td> <td>Offloads</td> <td>Kicks</td> <td>Try Assists</td> <td>Errors</td></tr> <tr> <td>49</td> <td>18</td> <td>12</td> <td>3</td> <td>34</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table border=1 bordercolor=#cccccc cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width="100%"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor=#f0f0f0> <td colspan=5>2001 Season</td> <td colspan=5>Current Club</td> <td colspan=5>Career</td></tr> <tr> <td>App</td> <td>Trs</td> <td>Gls</td> <td>F/G</td> <td>Pts</td> <td>App</td> <td>Trs</td> <td>Gls</td> <td>F/G</td> <td>Pts</td> <td>App</td> <td>Trs</td> <td>Gls</td> <td>F/G</td> <td>Pts</td></tr> <tr> <td>7</td> <td>3</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>12</td> <td>31</td> <td>11</td> <td>1</td> <td>0</td> <td>46</td> <td>31</td> <td>11</td> <td>1</td> <td>0</td> <td>46</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

I'll give you a word to use over and over again like we did at Wests this season. Potential.

Later this year you can use the word we ended up using. Overrated.

We lost both Wingers from this season. There is a God.

 

[Willow]

Wow... where's there's EA, Meth isnt far behind...its like... Skarsky and Hutch... Laurel and Hardy... Batman and Robin... Xena and Gabrielle. Tremendous team work lads.

OK boys... nominate Saleh's try scoring abilities for 2003.... I'm willing to go more than 10... 14 isnt a bad a season for any winger soI'll put him down for 14 tries...
what's your estimate(s)...? That is, if you're game enough to have a punt.
Anyway, its a case of wait and see.

btw EA, I don't think any player could rival Nathan Blacklock. Not sure where you got from but it wasn't in this thread.

 

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[imported_E_A__]

Well, at WORL and FootyShow, there's a few salivating. I think you're showing a little saliva too mate.

Let me point out the glaring errors in the thinking that this bloke is any good.

Tackles 151
Missed Tackles: 49

1 in four missed.

34 Errors.

11 Tries in 31 appearance doesn't suggest First Grade standard. I don't think he'll play a heap of First Grade.

7 line breaks in 24 games. That may be because the service was poor but that is a remarkably low total of line breaks for a First Grade Winger.

Note that Wests had a lot of tries scored against them by outside backs this season. Manly have purchased a small problem with young McGuiness too, as talented as he is, his defence isn't up to scratch. He tends to graspwhen frustrated.

Saleh isn't a great or even a good Winger at the moment but he does have potential. Maybe Saints can turn him around. Playing outside Gasnier may help. But, with the lack of a decent 1/2, Gasnier may not be running at backs a hell of a lot.

 

[imported_pastor-borderline]

I've only had the priveledge of watching him plat eighty minutes on a handful of occasions, but from what I can see the only thing flashy about him is his name. I think he is a bit of a nice person to be honest- pulls a few Hollywoods here and there. Get rid of him and Manu and I would like the Tigers a great deal more.

 

[imported_Barnaby Jones]

As a dragons supporter I will have to agree with EA and Meth here, some of you guys are getting a little over excited about a player that:

(a) My grandmother could run down, even if he had a 10 metre start on her, and she's been deceased for over40 years;

(b) the West Tigers don't want him.................. ; and

(c) the West Tigers don't want him.......................

bj

 

[Willow]

I think I sawSaleh play for about ten minutes so I know zilch about the bloke - but it is good fun watching others lay the boot into him....

OK then Hassan, take this as being put on notice...

EA: Without going on for too long, I don't think too many wingers come close to Blacklock...my bias for the guy has driven some to the point of distraction. Now.... if Tingha was making a return by say, 2004 (and Saleh has only only been signed to a one year contract - us Blacklock fans will grasp at any indicator), then you would see me getting genuinely excited.

 

[imported_Barnaby Jones]

"Blacklock rejoins Dragons"

Now Willow that's a sentence one can get excited about. Mr 20 plus tries per season,I'll take him back any day.

bj

 

[imported_E_A__]

Willow, I thought I was being nice. The scariest part is that he was our best Winger.

I was a big Blacklock fan, he was a huge loss to League, not just Saints.

Actually, I think he should come back and play for the Tigers, it's a fair swap, Blacklock for Saleh?

 

[imported_SaintFirman]

When Tingha came from Roosters, I don't remember everyone being so excited.

I think the Saints create good players from potential, Gasnier, Barrett, Blacklock, etc.

I think it will be a similar case with Hassan, work on his defence a little, brush up on attack, he will be great for the team.