St George Illawarra's season is all but over with six games still to play, and the Dragons have once again struggled in the business end of the season with dramas both on and off the field.

Key points: The Dragons' season is as good as done, but their latest loss featured a scintillating debut from Jason Saab

The Dragons' season is as good as done, but their latest loss featured a scintillating debut from Jason Saab The 18-year-old winger has been praised by the coach and captain for his maturity and potential

The 18-year-old winger has been praised by the coach and captain for his maturity and potential The team, about to to lose its international captain, has denied that Jack de Belin's presence is unsettling

The Dragons' defeat to the South Sydney Rabbitohs last Friday was the team's tenth loss in 12 games and puts the side closer to the wooden spoon than the top eight.

But as the team begins taking stock of where it all went wrong, 18-year-old winger Jason Saab, who crossed for two tries on debut, may be a sign of better times ahead.

The teenager's NRL career has begun with a bang, but he admits it could have died with a whimper.

"I came from a high school where footy is what we do," Saab said.

"Other people were making teams and I wasn't, so I thought I wasn't good enough."

Saab's physical stature and maturity impressed Dragon's coach McGregor. ( ABC Illawarra: Tim Fernandez )

The former Merrylands junior player grew up in Paramatta and always dreamed of being a professional rugby league player.

But when he failed to attract interest while trialling for Paramatta and Balmain's development squads, he came close to throwing in the towel.

"I wasn't really cracking it, [but] I made the train on squad for Balmain.

"I made the first cut then we played the second game and I was cut.

"I was gutted.

"I definitely had doubts and I thought I should give up because I'm not going to make it, but I hung in there."

The teenager was eventually given his chance after a successful trial with the Dragon's SG Ball side last year.

In the space of a year the young winger grew 5 centimetres to his current height of 199cm and caught the eye of coach Paul McGregor who promoted him from the development squad.

Growth to come

It is not just Saab's physical stature that's impressed McGregor — the coach is has also praised his attitude and maturity.

"He earnt the right to play through his efforts in the lower grades," McGregor said after Friday's match.

"He's a young kid with a bright future.

"Over time he's going to fill out, he's probably going to end up being around 110 kilos."

McGregor and Widdop. ( AAP: Craig Golding )

The sentiments were also echoed by skipper Gareth Widdop who said he has all the qualities of a future star.

"The best thing about Jason is despite scoring two tries on debut the loss still hurts him which is pleasing," Widdop said.

"It's not about the individual it's about the team."

Saab said he is keen to repay McGregor's faith.

"He definitely wants me at the club long term," Saab said.

"We've spoken about developing as a player and having a big future.

"I'm sure he does want to see me in first grade because that's where he's put me."

Questions around Paul McGregor's future

Dragons Chief Executive Brian Johnston extended McGregor's contract in April to keep him at the club until 2021.

The Dragons boss hailed his credentials as one of the best man managers in the game.

But it is hard to overlook the Dragons' habit, in recent years, of fading during the second half of the season under McGregor's watch.

The Dragons CEO has since failed to guarantee the team will start next season with McGregor as head coach but admits that sacking McGregor will not fix the side's problems.

Meanwhile the playing group has been steadfast in their support of McGregor, claiming the responsibility for their string of poor results belongs exclusively to the players.

Players deny de Belin divide, Widdop set to exit

The club has also been dealing with the star Jack de Belin's ongoing court case.

Last week the 28-year-old was committed to stand trial for five charges of aggravated sexual assault.

Jack de Belin attending the Federal Court in April in his first challenge to the ARL's 'no fault' stand down policy. ( ABC News: Jamie McKinnell )

De Belin was first charged in February and stood down on full pay under a new no-fault policy, before challenging it in a landmark case in the Federal Court of Australia.

The players have denied reports that de Belin's presence on the training ground is impacting their performances.

The importance of Dragons captain Gareth Widdop to the team's morale was clear for all to see in his first game back from an 18-week layoff with a shoulder injury.

The English international lead by example, managing four conversions, including a clutch kick from the sideline that handed the Dragon the lead with two minutes to play.

But the club captain's NRL homecoming was bittersweet — the Englishman is set to return to the UK at the end of the season.

Widdop is due to head home after a season marred by injury. ( AAP: Robb Cox )

"It's been a very tough year for the team knowing that I'm injured and moving on at the end of the year," the 30-year-old said.

"It's a team sport — we win, we lose together, we ride the rough times and the high times."

He says with the finals now a distant dream he now just wants to enjoy his remaining time with his team mates.

"I just want to see what I can contribute in the next couple of weeks and make sure that I'm leading the boys and hopefully we can finish off strong," Widdop said.