A Bold Move by Jason Saab
Manly winger Jason Saab, frustrated by the constant pressure from defenders and the challenge of catching kicks, decided to try something unconventional during a recent match. His plan was to deliberately head the ball forward if he got the chance, a move that caught both commentators and fans off guard.
During the first half of Sunday’s game against the Eels, Saab positioned himself under a kick from Jamal Fogarty. He then used his head to send the ball forward with a powerful strike that would have made any Premier League player proud. 
As a Manchester City fan, Saab was unsure whether this bold tactic would work or if it would lead to criticism from the crowd. According to the rules, players are not allowed to deliberately head the ball forward, but an accidental ‘falcon’ is not considered an offence.
Saab explained that he often finds himself as a target for kicks, and when the ball falls short, opponents usually tackle him without much resistance. “With me being a kick target these days, if the ball falls short, opposition players let me catch it, tackle me, and I can’t do much with it,” he said.
“Obviously, if you head the ball, it’s play on. I thought I’d head it forward and see what happens. Luckily, it went the right way.”
The Influence of Teammates
Saab had previously discussed his idea with teammate Haumole Olakau’atu, who jokingly mentioned that their assistant coach, Jim Dymock, would be thrilled if Saab executed the move. Indeed, Dymock was seen cheering at half-time, as his style of play is all about improvisation and creativity.
“I told ‘Shmole’ last week, ‘You know what, I’m going to do that’. And he was like, ‘Jim Dymock will love it if you do it’,” Saab recalled. “Jimmy came in at half-time and was cheering. Jimmy’s whole game is off-the-cuff footy, and loves that sort of stuff.”
Saab admitted that while the move didn’t result in a try assist, it did push the Eels back by 10 meters. “I know it’s within the rules, so why not do it. I only thought about it last week.”
He also noted that the rugby league ball isn’t as easy to head as a round ball. “I could see a guy like Brian To’o doing something like this. I actually hope he does – I’d love to see him do it, just not next Sunday against us.”
A Smart Play That Paid Off
Olakau’atu, who had a standout performance in the win over the Eels, said he completely forgot about his conversation with Saab. However, when he saw Saab head the ball, he couldn’t believe it.
“When it actually happened, I giggled,” Olakau’atu said. “He helped us in a way because instead of him catching it on the 20m line, we tackled Parra five metres out from their own line. It was a smart play. I know the crowd loved it.”
Manly’s Winning Streak
Manly extended their winning streak to four games under caretaker coach Kieran Foran. The team was determined to impress their home fans after losing their first three matches at 4 Pines Park.
They now face premiership favourites Penrith on Sunday night, playing with confidence and backed by one of the competition’s most consistent forwards, Olakau’atu. Despite being charged twice for careless high tackles in the game against the Eels, Olakau’atu could escape with a $3600 fine.
Foran praised Olakau’atu’s performances, saying, “I think the sky is the limit for him. His performances at the moment are very special. He’s probably realized now how damaging he can be. For Haumole, it’s about having that internal belief.”
A Rising Star in State of Origin Contention
Olakau’atu, 27, is making a strong case to start on the right edge for NSW in the upcoming State of Origin series. With Jacob Preston and even South Sydney’s Tallis Duncan as key contenders, especially with Penrith’s Liam Martin sidelined due to a knee injury, Olakau’atu is proving to be a formidable presence on the field.
Foran’s influence has been significant, as he constantly reminds Olakau’atu of his potential. “He tells me every day how good I am, how far I can go in terms of the sky being the limit,” Olakau’atu said.
