Under brighter skies, the Eels continued their first week of training for the year with an extended field session at the Saleyards Complex.

In a session commencing at around 11:30 and lasting nearly three hours, there was much to report. The details were as follows:

Rotational Groups

1. Movement skills – as they commenced, Devlin reminded the players that practising such movements was going to be beneficial for those playing in the 9s. The drill involved acceleration, deceleration and lateral reaction. They then transitioned into competitive swerve runs and finally backwards runs that became a turn and chase.
2. Sprint training – firstly one leg over mini-hurdles, then short sprints
3. Small group passing skills

Passing Rushes

With players taking turns at being part of a staggered defence, each small group of attacking players had to take on the defence, making decisions based on what was in front of them. I like watching this sort of skill development as it means that we develop footballers, not just players who can take a hit up.

Set Structures

The players split into two team size groups and moved onto different fields. Unopposed, each team ran through their sets of 6, working towards a kick. This was the regimented stuff that needs to become second nature. Forward hit ups, inside and outside runs, setting for the kick.

Fitness

This was a tough slog! The players ran sets of 40 to 50 metre runs for what must have been close to half an hour non-stop.

Opposed Game

This seemed to be using a grab for tackles, although some of the runs and tackles were a touch more enthusiastic than that (hello Beau Scott).

This game did not include significant individuals that I will detail under their own sub-heading. It was difficult to draw anything from this under such circumstances, though I must again mention Beau Scott for running some great lines and Corey Norman for a great delayed cut out pass that led to a try.

Michael Gordon continues to set the standard during this pre-season.

On the Sidelines

• Tepai spent most of the session on either the exercise bike or the boxing pads
• Corey Norman spent an extended time on the bike.
• Nathan Peats moved to the sideline during the contact game
• Kieran Foran spent the entire session working on his own with a trainer. This was relentless! Grid work in movement skills – lateral, direction change, short sprints. He then completed 40m and 100m sprints over an extended period.
• Kieran Moss – seems to have a leg injury and worked on the boxing pads
• Semi Radradra – on extended leave in Fiji

Important – I would not read too much into the time on the sidelines. There were no major injury concerns and Foran is obviously strengthening his legs after dealing with his hamstring issues last year. Certainly, those hamstrings were tested out today! As for Semi, he was given extra leave due to the travel time required to get home to his island.

Standout Players

• Beau Scott – definitely the player of the session. Looks to have real energy in everything he is doing
• Danny Wicks, Tim Mannah, Daniel Alvaro – leaving nothing in the tank during fitness work
• Michael Gordon and Clint Gutherson – these new additions to the squad are extremely fit and continue to be leading lights

Beau Scott – a great addition to the squad who leads by example.

Extras

After the whole group completed their work, the players broke off for extras. The groups undertook the following:

• Grid runs
• Zip plays and hit ups with the forwards
• Tackles/wrestling in the sandpit area
• Cross field kicks for attacking players
• Attacking kicks into designated zones

Brad Arthur

Watching this extended session allowed me to reflect upon the methods used by Brad Arthur in leading his coaching team. In doing so, I make the following observations:

• BA has great faith in his staff. His assistants often do much of the instruction in the drills which allows Arthur to move around and observe all groups. You can sometimes catch him asking the staff about certain players as he moves around. The coaches will then meet with Arthur as the players transition between activities.
• Arthur can be seen addressing certain players individually during each session, giving them specific advice about their work
• Praise and admonishment is appropriately dished out for all players by all coaches

Author’s Note

The major factor to take away from this extended field session was the attention to detail that is being undertaken, not to mention the sheer physical work required of the players.

I did not walk away from today being any clearer about what the team make up will be or how certain players will feature in our plays. However, there is plenty of talk on the field and the experienced blokes are certainly leading by example.

A shout out to Chris, Geoff (thanks for that specific help mate), Ryan and Rowdy Roddy who were also there today.

Go you mighty Eels!

Sixties

Credit to the Parramatta Eels for all images used.

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