Manly Sea Eagles star Jason Saab shatters expectations in track debut to lay claim to be NRL’s fastest player

Manly Sea Eagles star Jason Saab has clocked a blistering 10.8-second 100m sprint at his first-ever athletics meet, staking his claim as the NRL's fastest player. SEE THE VIDEO.

Jason Saab has been labelled the fastest player in the NRL after recording a sub 11 second 100 metre sprint time at a southern Sydney athletics meet on Saturday afternoon.

Saab’s huge frame and bling saw the Manly flyer stand out from the rest of the athletes who took to the track at Barden Ridge. Saab competed in his first event after just weeks of dedicated sprint training – running 10.8 seconds in a 100 metre race.

While he finished second Saab said he was content with the run.

Jason Saab has been labelled the fastest player in the NRL after recording a sub 11 second 100 metre sprint time at a southern Sydney athletics meet. Picture: Julian Andrews

“I am just happy I got through unscathed because that would’ve been hard to explain to Manly,” Saab said. “But it was exciting. The whole adrenaline of it all was a lot fun.

“I do my sprint training every off-season that I am healthy. I wanted to see how I could go on the track. People always ask me but I have never had an answer.

“All my mates in the track world are saying that’s a really good (time). I wanted 10.7 in my head. Maybe on a warmer day and better track conditions I might’ve run it.

“For a sloppy run 10.8 isn’t too bad.”

Saab has long been considered one of the fastest players in the game. He said he has now laid it on the line.

“I don’t think there is anyone running 10.8,” Saab said. I know (Manly teammate) Tolu Koula run 10.5 at school but we are rugby league players now.

“Rugby league is my priority. It is a way to invest in my weapons for my team is to get quicker. “Track and field is one of my favourite sports. I’d love to go again. I’d run quicker.”

Saab post race with fellow NRL player Bronson Xerri. Picture: Julian Andrews

Fellow NRL speedster Bronson Xerri was on hand to watch Saab go about his work. The pair are trained by sprint guru Roger Fabri. Fabri also trains Kangaroos flyer Josh Addo-Carr.

Fabri – who watched Saab run – said Saab was the fastest player in the NRL.

“For a footballer it was a big task to go out there and put something out there that is validated that people instead of having an opinion they have a time to chase,” Fabri said.

Saab post race with sprint coach Roger Fabri. Picture: Julian Andrews

“Having 10.8 confirms that this guy is the fastest in the NRL. It’s on the scoreboard now it’s up to the other guys to chase it. He has the title now. It is undisputed

“This comes off four weeks of sprint preparation. You’d think it would take more than just four weeks to be fast. He has untapped potential …. You have to understand is that he has run 10.8 without ever having a race before. With time and exposure, if you have a 10.8 starting point – I will leave it up to your imagination what he could run.”

A planned grand final sprint race between Addo-Carr and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow never eventuated.

Saab is no stranger to mixing it up in the pre-season. In 2023 he had a boxing bout with a win against Kusitino Tui.

Originally published as Manly Sea Eagles star Jason Saab shatters expectations in track debut to lay claim to be NRL’s fastest player