Opinion
The Sea Eagles are struggling with injuries, there is no doubt about that. However, they also have an issue with their outside backs (the ones who are left standing).
Jason Saab is a tremendous athlete. Last year was a breakout season for the tall timber.
Having watched him this year, you can tell confidence is down.
When I attended the Sea Eagles-Bulldogs game at Brookvale, we were all filled with confidence that Saab was the up-and-comer of the NRL.
He had extreme confidence after last year and was ready to rumble.
The conditions were terrible with rain and wind playing havoc, however, the Dogs certainly targeted his edge.
He dropped a couple that night and it happens to the best of them. I think Saab will be a player of the future, but he is clearly lacking confidence.
Over the weeks that have followed, it is clear he is unsure what to do.
There are many scenarios for this over the past few weeks, but Thursday’s game against Cronulla certainly proved it.
He did take some high balls under pressure and you would’ve thought it could be a spark, but afterwards he offloaded almost every time.
In any sport, your head can get in the way. I think Jason has that right now. He is certainly unsure what to do when he does get the ball, which is rare for a winger with confidence.
Last year he went looking for the ball; this year he is not.
Against the Sharks, he got a couple of balls on the edge, but rather than trucking it up, he would pass to a teammate.
As a coach, what does Des Hasler do?
He clearly has an athlete, but even the players appear to be avoiding his side of the field in attack.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
When Siosifa Talakai was attacking his edge, he was clearly unsure of what to do, but then again I think anyone would be.
If it were me, I’d be checking if I lost chocolate ice cream down the back of my shorts.
But his attacking flair and having a go has been lost this year.
With Manly decimated by injuries, does Des pop Saab in reserve grade for 2-3 weeks?
He would certainly perform better and get his confidence up.
I am no coach, and nor would I want to be, but as a human, we all have a period where our key skill set lets us down.
You either fight it, or you step back, have a short review and come back better.
This is not footy, this is a life perception.
Whether you work in a factory, nursing, banking or (heaven forbid) law, we all have periods where our confidence is down.
A good boss can read it and give you a few days or weeks to take you out of the firing line and give you time.
Saab will always be great, but is it better to take 10-15 weeks on the field in NRL or 2-3 weeks in reserve grade with a plan to get him back and firing in five?
I’m not sure, but for my Sea Eagles, I’d rather have him out now and back firing for the back half of the year, which he will be.
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