With no respite from yesterday’s heat, the full squad engaged in a field session that focussed on combinations. Today’s observed conditioning work (apart from the blokes working hard on the sideline) basically encompassed a series of warm up and leg strengthening routines. The major activity was the opposed work under the control of NRL referees. This was the session I’ve been waiting for and I’ve tried to summarise the most interesting aspects.
Referees
The referees were blowing penalties as they would in an NRL match. The common infringement was in the play the ball. It looks like the focus will be for players to play the ball correctly with the foot. After penalising the players for the same infringement a number of times, the message became abundantly clear that they will be clamping down on this aspect of the ruck. Any team that does not use referees as part of their training (and I believe that there are some) will not be as well prepared when the season begins. Edicts are one thing, experiencing the penalties is another.
The Kicking Question
It would appear that our halves will share this role. It was good to see a variety of kicks being executed.
Four of a kind – King is but one card in a stacked hand at dummy half.
Our Dummy Halves
I’m no closer to working out who will get the nod. All four candidates spent time in the “blue team” today, with each player jumping out nicely to take the team forward from the play the ball. This will truly be a selection headache for Arthur, but a pleasant one!
Fullback
Michael Gordon has impressed me at each day of field work that I’ve witnessed. Not only is he communicating to his defence as we expect all fullbacks to do, he looks like he has been a part of the team for years with the manner in which he chimes into the attack. On one play today, he fielded a long kick, took on the defence, then set Semi up for a 30 metre run. At the next break in play, Foran was over to congratulate him.
Forwards
If I indicated that the dummy half question was a tough one (please check Chris’ opinion piece on this subject), the decision about the forwards may be a greater challenge. So many players are putting up their hand for consideration. It will be interesting to see who BA will go with when blokes like Tanginoa, Woods, Nelson and O’Brien continue to shine at training. Today was no different, with certain players interchanging within the “blue team” and looking strong. There were some strong shots today and you could hear the impact off the field.
The Backs
Clinton Gutherson again trained alongside Semi and created space for the big bloke. Vai Toutai played on the right side outside Brad Takairangi. I’m not sure whether we can read anything into this as yet. With both Morgan and Moss on the sidelines today, it is difficult to speculate as to whether they are in calculations for a right side spot.
A sum greater than the two halves? The partnership between Foran and Norman is growing at the Old Sales Yards.
Foran and Norman
Yesterday I left training in a buoyant mood. I had just seen Foran in action for the first time and felt that I had glimpsed what could be. If it’s possible, I was even more impressed today. There is a part of my mindset that says “don’t get too carried away and don’t say too much”. I’m conscious about being too subjective in my comments, but after today, this is no easy task.
Therefore, I will simply report that these two players will have the type of combination that is different to any that we have fielded in recent memory. Our plays, the little that I have seen, look very different. The lines that the players are running off them look different. Maybe there is an air of confidence in what they are doing. It’s early days yet but it looked very encouraging.
Author’s Note
These are extremely testing conditions for the players. I was questioning my own sanity as I stood and watched the players in this heat. It’s tough to gauge how it must have felt to train in such sweltering conditions. Nonetheless, they will be fitter and tougher for it and they constantly encourage each other.
The drone was in the air today during the match simulation. I believe that the players view the footage between field sessions.
Today, Kelepi Tanginoa, Joseph Ualesi and James Hasson all took the opportunity to personally say hello.
A shout out to Ray, Geoff and David who all dropped in to training today and to Steve Sharp who had some kind words to say about our new website.
Sixties
Credit to the Parramatta Eels for all images used.
I’m loving these updates and this site! Great work Sixties.
Can I ask you about Folau? How’s he been going? This kid went outstanding in the couple of games he got last season. I can’t believe the bagging he is copping on another site.
John Folau is such a talented player with an imposing physical presence. He is probably down the pecking order in backline options right now and has been working on improving his conditioning.
Not sure if you are being paid for these columns or not but you should be! As a parra fan thru and thru it is great to see someone else’s passion and positive journalism for a change. Sick of all of the negative crap our club and our loyal supporters constantly have to put up with. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Guy. When the Eels make the finals that will be our reward. We definitely don’t get paid for our work on this site – we are fans, just like all of you. We all have jobs (my teaching job means I can report on January training!) and we have put in quite a bit of weekend and weeknight work to get this site up and running.
Do you think that the club should offer employment for full-time fans? I’ll get my resume ready for that one!
Dont Blush Baby
Have you changed teams Chris?
Quality again Sixties. Cheers Vince
Thanks Vince.
Hi Sixties,
This is a truly wonderful and informative website that you and a few others have developed.
I congratulate all involved.
Keep the updates coming whenever possible.
Cheers
Jason
Appreciate the feedback Jason. We bleed blue and gold and we’re glad that our fellow fans are enjoying it.
Congratulations on a wonderful new site: great interviews, great content, well done!
Cheers Walpy. Nice to meet you yesterday too!
Good work today mate. You have backed up well. I was on the golf course in west Sydney…it was oppressive. Very interesting write ups again and it’s a superb piece of work.
Hope you enjoyed a couple of cold lemonades….
Just backed up today. Only just! It’s a challenge this week!
Great read! I really enjoy hearing so many updates daily feel very spoiled 🙂 . Thanks again.
Just a minor thing I just posted my comment at 12:33am wed. The time however says 1:32 pm ?
I think that the time thing is set to elsewhere. Something we’ll look at.
If I can catch the team at work, I’ll report on it. Cheers mate.
Another pearler Sixties…
Cheers buddy
Bring on the season, Go the Eels….
Cheers. The countdown is on!
Great read yet again sixties.
The dummy half position is interesting. How is Peats looking in defensive drills? Is he still hitting as hard following his neck issue? I would have thought he’d be #1 if his neck is 100% but he may just have lost that edge due to subconcious self-preservation thinking.
Out on the field, the tough hits and wrestles happen in the sandpit. Otherwise it’s the wrestling mats. When they are doing opposed work the hits aren’t as strong, unless you’re Beau Scott!!! That said, there were some harder hits yesterday. Couldn’t really single out Peats defence from the field work.
I have followed your thoughts on the “1 eyed eel” for a long time. I will be following this site with much anticipation of the truth being told at all times..Thank you..(Eels forever) 57 years supporter..
Hi Helen and thanks for commenting. All of us at the “Throw” are fans like everyone else. We love our footy and our Eels. As a long standing fan, I hope you’re enjoying our legend interviews.
Great article 60s as always, am 1EE member and always enjoyed reading your insightful blogs. Congrads on a great new site.
Noticed Pauli still seemed overweight, is my observation correct?
How did both Pauli, Tuha and Schulte go in training as nothing mentioned of these three boys.
Also wing spot (assuming Jennings not coming) would Schulte or Tuha be a possibility?
It’s a bit of a challenge to notice or report on around 35 blokes going through their paces but I’ll try to answer your specifics. Schulte is progressing well and has trained in both a wing and a fullback role – though I’d expect Bevan French to be the Wenty fullback. I like the way Schulte has fitted in – he was quite vocal at fullback. I have observed Tuha train on the wing in the “red” team but i couldn’t add too much yet. Pauli has worked hard on his fitness and I believe did quite well in his beep tests.