With the Mercury pushing towards 40 degrees, the Parramatta squad took to the training paddock for an energy sapping 2 hour field session. Importantly, today’s training featured the return of Semi Radradra after his extended Christmas leave, in addition to the appearance of two NRL referees for the first time in 2016.
The points of interest from today were as follows:
Referees
Gavin Badger and Tim Roby were today’s visiting referees. I’d like to thank both blokes for giving me about 10 minutes of their time. During the chat I was able to learn more about the preparation that these officials go through. Their season and pre-season training parallels the NRL players, and their facilities at Homebush and the trainers ensure that their fitness levels can match those of the elite players. The referees will attend training for all clubs if they are welcome, including out of Sydney clubs.
Tim Roby is an emerging referee who has come from England. No doubt he enjoyed the heat today!
After watching the referees undertake some of today’s conditioning work with the players, I have no doubts about their levels of fitness.
Fitness Work
This was interspersed with the skills work today. The team was completing sprint training, 40 metre sprint sets, and runs with body drops to the ground – standard fare but incredibly demanding under the conditions. It was good to hear the calls from the players encouraging each other. Cody Nelson was a player that I noticed pushing both himself and his team mates. As the players reached the point of exhaustion, other voices could be heard with reminders about body language.
Unders & Overs – Kelepi’s work on his running lines is improving his odds at making the trip to Auckland
Skills
An early feature of the session appears to be rotational groups through various stations including ball handling, slalom runs and leg strengthening. The players then transition into passing rushes through staggered defence lines.
Opposed Work
The players began the opposed work in half field match ups of about 8 on 8. This tells you that there were at least 32 players present. Some other players were also there but did not participate in this. More on those later.
These half field match ups give more players the opportunity to handle the ball, as well as greater defensive demands. In the half field match up closest to my vantage point, Kelepi Tanginoa ran some great lines, crossing twice.
When the matches extended to full field, I had the opportunity to observe the impact of Foran on the line up. This was worth standing in the sun to see!
The confidence and quality of his play was evident, even on a training field. The bloke is going to be the half that we have been missing for so many years. He was constantly calling plays, directing players where to run, changing up where he received the ball in the play. In many respects I could see similarities to how Thurston plays, but he looks like he might take the line on more. Early days and it’s just the training paddock, yet the difference in the attacking structure stood out for me.
On The Sideline
Ryan Morgan and Tepai Moeroa were both working on the sidelines today. Nothing major. Tepai’s work included sprints and boxing. At the end of the session Tepai came over to say hello to myself and Mitchy. Much appreciated!
Hitting the ground running – Semi Radradra looks to be in ominous physical condition in the countdown to Round 1.
Semi Radradra
Given that I’ve used his name in the title, I had to dedicate a part of this report to our fan favourite.
Semi was given extended leave to travel back to his home in Fiji. As expected, his physical conditioning is outstanding. During the opposed work he crossed for two tries. Nothing has changed!
Players to Note Today
- Cody Nelson – big effort in the heat and a leading voice
- Semi – he’s back. Enough said
- Kieran Foran – looked confident and in control
- Kelepi Tanginoa – ran some nice lines
- Clint Gutherson – played alongside Semi today. Leading trainer too
Author’s Note
The conditions today were quite extreme. The blokes left nothing in the tank with their efforts. Anyone who ventured outside today would appreciate how difficult it was and what the players have in store later this week.
A shout out to Mitchy who stood in the heat with me today.
Sixties
Credit to the Parramatta Eels for all images used.
Outstanding work 60’s . The Fong .
Thanks mate. Glad to report on the blokes’ hard work.
Good write up Sixties. Had a good day albeit little warm..and glad we had the 50+ on. Great to see the boys work in the heat and see the entire squad at work. Very interesting watching the coaches work with them, and the talk we noticed, particularly the parts abt not showing fatigue on the field and training field. Nice work and it’s almost beer o’clock. Tepai worked very hard on the fitness aspect, and seems even bigger live, as in body shape….
We must grab a cold one next time you join me! I reckon that talk says a lot about where their heads are at.
Yes spot on. It may not look good standing there with an esky of beers…but I am happy to have an ale at a pub mate. It’d be good.
Love hearing the updates and appreciate your efforts. This is always a very busy time of the year for me and I wish I could trade it in and stand in the heat/rain whatever with you. cheers
Appreciate your feedback. I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t love my footy and the Eels.
Thanks for that sixties, I’ve been waiting all off season for these reports!
Very happy to read that Kelepi is having a real go and running some nice lines. He may just be happy to be back and have a big year with us?
Also great to read that Foran is already taking control and that our attacking structures have improved noticeably.
Awesome, bring on the nines and go you eels!
Cheers. Kelepi looks happy out there and no doubt he’s happy to be home. I’ve been chomping at the bit to watch Foran run the team. It’s only training but it was great to watch today.
Great work sixties,
Everyone looks very fit in the pics on the Eels site. Just a question about Pauli Pauli, he seems to have lost some of the weight. How is training. Good, bad, indifferent?
Hey Vince, I’ve been told that Pauli’s beep test times were exceptional. He is such a big unit compared to the other players. I’ll agree with you that he appears to have really picked up his fitness levels. He’s one of those genuinely nice blokes too.
thanks again Sixties
Fantastic reporting once again mate, I’m loving the new layout of the reports, and the sub-headings make it a lot nicer to read. Good to hear Kelepi running those lines, he was always a fantastic line-runner too much time in the gym hampered his 2014 and 2015 and whilst I wasn’t too disappointed that we lost him to the Cowboys initially I am glad that he is back in the blue and gold. If I can get some time off work I’ll be heading down for sure, just hope that they’re training on that day.
Will be good to see you there mate.
I love this site 60’s and the training blogs.
Thanks for battling the elements today
Many thanks Jack. It’s hard work but fun. Glad you enjoy it. Imagine what it will be like when the footy starts! The other “throwers” have lots of great work to come and our guest writers will appear too. Bob O’Reilly interview to come this week.
Outstanding Work Sixties…
Loving the blogs mate.
keep up the great work mate… Very much appreciated
Thanks for the kind words. More to come!
Great insights…
Thanks Clanga.
40yrs coming up for me this year 60’s since I watched my 1st Parra game live. Even went to the 76 grand final. Great read once again.
I remember it well Gav. Went to the street parade and I was so amped up for the match that I didn’t go to school on the Friday. Ahhh, the memories!