'I just feel I'm ready': Young Raiders prop wants to go to next level

The Raiders prop was blown away by the faith the club has shown in him to extend his contract until the end of 2026 on Thursday.

Now he's looking to repay that faith by improving every facet of his game - run metres, minutes played and his defence.

Saulo played 22 games for the Green Machine in 2023 - almost doubling his NRL career tally in the first season of his move from Newcastle.

But the 25-year-old wasn't resting on his laurels.

That's despite being something of a mainstay on Canberra coach Ricky Stuart's bench last year.

He's part of a pack that will be the Raiders' strength this year, with competition for spots driving him to improve.

Last season he averaged 52m per game, while making 20 tackles in his average of 28 minutes' work.

"This time around I'm taking it to another level. I've got to," Saulo said.

"There was a lot of learning last year and this year I just feel good - especially this pre-season's probably the best I've felt.

"Just coming off last year, that experience and gaining more confidence in myself, I just feel I'm ready to take it on and take it to the next level.

"There's still a lot to work on, but I feel like I have [established myself as an NRL player].

"But as I said, I've got to be better and I will. That's the main goal."

You could see how much it meant to Saulo when he was asked about the faith the club had shown in him.

He paused, then composed himself before putting it into words.

"Oh geez, it means a lot. Just having them have confidence in me boosts my confidence up so much," Saulo said.

"It makes me feel happy and makes me feel better in myself."

While Saulo's locked in for the next three seasons, teammate James Schiller's off-contract at the end of 2024.

He's managed to put an injured start to his pre-season behind him with his focus now on staying fit.

Schiller revealed he carried a groin injury through the Raiders' elimination final loss to the Newcastle Knights last year.

While it gave him a slow start to his pre-season, it didn't stop him from scoring two tries, running for 120m, and making one linebreak and six tackle busts in that semi-final.

Schiller's tipped to be in contention to join Matt Timoko in the centres against the Knights in Newcastle come round one - with Albert Hopoate the other potential candidate to cover for Sebastian Kris (suspended).

Both of the Raiders' pre-season trials - starting with Parramatta at Kogarah Oval on Saturday - will play a massive role in deciding who gets the gig.

While the 22-year-old can play anywhere in the outside backs, he said his focus has been on centre during the pre-season.

Both he and Saulo expected to play at least the first half against the Eels.

"I strained it the week before in a [NSW] Cup game and it got progressively worse over the whole game, but by the end of it it was blown out," Schiller said of his play-off injury.

"I've got a nice little indentation there now, but it's just what you do - you've got to crack on with it because we had no back-up wingers in that game."

NRL PRE-SEASON TRIAL

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels at Kogarah Oval, 5.55pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Chevy Stewart, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. James Schiller, 4. Albert Hopoate, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Kaeo Weekes, 7. Ethan Strange, 8. Emre Guler, 9. Zac Woolford (c), 10. Pasami Saulo, 11. Mitchell Spencer, 12. Simi Sasagi, 13. Ata Mariota. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Prinston Esera, 16. Michael Asomua, 17. Jed Stuart, 18. Danny Levi, 19. Adam Cook, 20. Peter Hola, 21. Mitch Henderson, 22. Peter Taateo, 23. Noah Martin, 24. Loghan Lewis, 25. Vena Patuki-Case.

Eels squad: 1. Blaize Talagi, 2. Haze Dunster, 3. Morgan Harper, 4. Bailey Simonsson, 5. Sean Russell, 6. Daejarn Asi, 7. Ethan Sanders, 8. Ky Rodwell, 9. Brendan Hands, 10. Ofahiki Ogden, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Kelma Tuilagi, 13. Ryan Matterson. Interchange: 14. Luca Moretti, 15. Wiremu Greig, 16. Matt Doorey, 17. Makahesi Makatoa, 18. Matthew Arthur, 19. Toni Mataele, 20. Joshua Lynn, 21. Charlie Guymer, 22. Dan Keir, 23. Saxon Pryke, 24. Zac Cini, 25. Isaac Lumelume, 26. Ethyn Martin.