In mild conditions the Eels took to the field today for a late morning skills/field session. The field currently in use certainly looks to be a fast track. The second field has been out of use lately and looks in superb condition. I’m hoping to produce a detailed write up on the facilities soon, so more details then.
Skills Component
Even though an NRL squad is composed of the game’s elite, Brad Arthur and the coaching staff continue to develop the players’ fundamental rugby league skills. Today it was passing.
Working in small grids, the players were put into groups of five to rapidly move the ball around the grid. The focus was on the position of the hands.
Following this, the squad split into stations. In one station, they were practising draw and pass skills. Instead of traditional cones, life size markers are used to simulate defenders as the players practise stepping towards a particular shoulder of the defender before delivering or receiving a pass. At another station the players drilled passing and receiving the ball from dummy half.
Even at this elite level, fundamentals such as passing continue to be drilled.
Attacking Structures
Following the skills work, the team worked on their attacking structures for this week. The forwards worked on the lines that they would run, and some of the variations that they use. Just as is done in matches, the ball would then be spun out for the backs to execute their work. All of this was done using the Wenty boys as defenders. It was not a full opposed drill as pads were used for contact.
Next up in the session, both the NRL team and the Wenty team rolled sets of six unopposed down the field. This is where we see evidence of the teams playing the same structures. Naturally, this becomes vital when players are required to step up into first grade. Very little familiarising is needed for blokes that already train together and learn similar roles.
Team Spirit
Today was probably the sharpest execution of plays that I’ve seen this year. Having had a few days break after the clash last Thursday, the squad looked really refreshed. The players looked confident and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying their work. I commented to David (a fellow teacher who often joins me at these sessions) about how happy the players looked as they completed each set. No doubt winning is a great feeling and from this fan’s perspective, the more that the team enjoy the sensation of winning, the more likely it becomes a motivating factor moving forward.
Not from today, but feel free to add your own caption!
Some Asides
TCT has stayed out of the issues surrounding the current Salary Cap investigation. However, I was able to spend some time in the company of Steve Sharp at today’s training and wanted to share some feedback. The NRL investigation has not concluded, but at this stage I can report that much of the media reporting is based on speculation rather than fact. The points deduction being reported in various media outlets is not coming from the NRL. When the investigation has concluded, based on the evidence gathered, it will be up to the NRL to issue a breach notice. The club then has a period of time to respond to the notice.
Beyond that, Sharp was enthusing about how the team was performing and gave special mention to Brad Arthur for creating something special at the club. Amongst a range of other Parramatta topics we also discussed some of the up and coming players in the NYC and Junior Rep sides.
On the injury front, Tepai was not able to train today and I took the opportunity to enquire about his injury. Taka fielded the question on his behalf and assured me that there was not a thing wrong with him! Manu then agreed wholeheartedly! Tim Mannah, who always takes the time to say hello, continues to train in the rehab group. John Folau is still about another week away from returning to the field. His foot injury is taking a bit longer to heal.
A big thanks to all of the players who took the time to say g’day today. Much appreciated.
Go you mighty Eels!
Sixties
All images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels
Cheers Sixties, you have become a pro at this.
Regards
Vince
Cheers Vince. The team looked really good today working through their structures. It makes it easy to report when they look so good.
Superb Mate. A grate read. I’m in the middle of moving premises up here on coast. So time is a little hard at the moment to get down there to sales yards. Great read. Interesting to hear Sharpey was their at training.
Tanks again Sixties. Saturday will tell us a little more about the team. Defence will be important and not giving them cheap ball.
Hey mate. I’m spending a couple of days up the coast later this week. Love the Central Coast.
Ok, which days?
Let me know and we may be able to catch up for a lemonade…..
Hopefully it rains one day soon and work is called off so I can come down and watch, I seriously can’t wait for all the games this weekend hopefully it’s another 4/4 win round.
I keep suggesting to Sharp that the club should employ a full time fan (I have my resume ready!). I don’t like my chances!
You have my vote Sixties…Your enthusiasm for everything Eeels wise is inspirational. Love reading your articles. They make an old bloke happy…Keep it up….
Thanks mate. They keep this old bloke busy!!!
Once again, a first class service for the fans provided by a champion…you,.. sixties ! Not meaning to embarrass you, but you just identify perfectly how many of us really feel out here. You respond to our need to be up to date with our club and provide us with relevant material in a sensible way. Given the absolute hysteria surrounding Parra at the moment, it is so refreshing and encouraging to hear of the professional way our team continues to develop on the field ! Your time given to this role is greatly appreciated as is your insight which, at least from this fan’s point of view, is always presented in an informative and balanced manner. Thank you mate.
Hi Conway,
Thanks for the kind words. Our motivation in starting TCT was to provide other Eels fans with the kind of site that we, as Eels fans, would also like to visit. I’m glad that we seem to be hitting the mark.
As for our team, I’ve never seen it work so professionally. BA and his coaching department are our future!
Thanks Guys, really appreciate the updates & the comments. There is no doubt about BA’s very positive impact on the Club.
Q: How did Steve Sharp appear in his mannerisms & attitude? Did he seem uneasy or apprehensive re the current NRL situation?
I was there with sixties. SS appeared ridiculously calm….what that means, i have no idea! Sixties is right, the guys looked thoroughly awesome, happy and confident!
Thanks for the response Walpy.
Michael, as Walpy stated, SS seemed quite calm. I have watched training a number of times in Steve’s company and he really loves his footy and the club. What happens with the investigation is impossible to say. That is the absolute truth – nobody knows! However, moving forward, all of the factionalism must end.
Sixties, good report & interesting the variation in training & development skills. Shows out I think it was Taka who said that coming to the eels & being with BA is the first time in his career he has been coached, what an interesting comment, shows out the words also of Foran as to why he wanted to play here & under BA, as he wanted to advance his game.
Good that Sharpie was there, I hope during the talk you gave him a razzle up about resigning BA ASAP or sooner.
Good weather up here on the Central Coast although big downpour a couple of hours ago.
Ps. good to hear from Sharpy about the process with the investigation, its what I had thought the way it would pan out.
Yes I did speak about BA’s future. That’s what brought out his something special comment.
I’ll be staying at The Entrance for a few days from Thursday. Tell the weather to stay fine for me.
How fat is John Folau after a few weeks off?
John’s looking fine. Really respectful bloke that always says hello.
Hi sixties, thanks again for a great write up & a great new Eels site!! – You mention you will be commenting on the new training facilities at saleyards. – I am interested how far behind the Panthers new facility our one is. – They get all the publicity for opening the best of it’s type in the Southern Hemisphere & I don’t remember Parra getting any press when we opened ours. – Whilst it’s better than it was, have we gone half-arsed with this new facility? – Panthers $22m centre certainly looks the goods. – A video tour of the new joint would certainly be enlightening.
Hi mate,
The major difference is that Penrith have completed their permanent structure. Parramatta is awaiting council zoning and leasing arrangements to build the permanent structure. Once that is finalised the permanent structure will be built alongside the northern field. At the moment, there are connected demountables on the southern field housing all of the facilities. They run for most of the length of the field. I believe they house much similar facilities to Penrith, though not as large. Being in a nice new structure, Penrith’s look phenomenal. However, when Parra’s is complete it will easily match or exceed Penrith’s. It will become a venue that can be used by the community.
The timing is right with Mike Baird announcing that there is money available on a dollar for dollar basis for clubs looking to develop Centres of Excellence for the footy clubs and the community. Good opportunity for the Eels to get money to finish off the Saleyards project once they get their planning approval.
What concerns me about the cap more than anything else is the constant media speculation. Will it sway the NRL to act in a far more draconian way than it normally would for a similar breach?
Decisions need to be based on evidence. Simple.
A thoroughly enjoyable read as always Sixties! A great insight to behind the scenes. I am sure that if what you are doing became a full time gig, you would be on top of the list. Thanks.
Thanks mate. In the make believe world where such jobs existed I’d still have to compete against the other TCT blokes. There’s some dedicated blokes there!
How good is it to read an article’s about the Eels without it all being about the salary cap. By the way I thought the salary cap was the amount capped in the salary, not the TPA’s which I believe are above & beyond so we don’t have a salary cap issue. Done. I have been visiting this site for about 6 months & I love the positive Eels stories as well as information that is very well put together. If you start a magazine, sign me up. Weather the Eels loose points or not it is & looks to be the best season for the Eels & their fans in a long time, the defence is something to be truly proud of & the attack is building so it’s great to watch. I wish I could get to see them training but my boss won’t let me go early so I really enjoy reading the articles here. Look out Cowboys, here we come.
P.S. JT I think Beau Scott is looking forward to seeing you on the field.
Go The Mighty Eels.
Thanks for the feedback Jim. We are essentially trying to provide magazine style reading on line, as opposed to a forum. Glad that you’re enjoying our presentation. I agree with your thoughts about the team. They’re doing us proud this year.
If anyone gets the chance to get down to the ground and watch them train I highly recommend it, I got an opportunity during the offseason and really enjoyed it, if you can’t then 60’s reports are the next best thing.
Thanks mate. It was good to see you down there this year.
That was a great read sixties. Very enjoyable and a pleasant change to not have any hysteria. TCT is keeping a low profile at the moment re the cap which in turn places the focus back on the football. Steve Sharp has done a remarkable job in turning us back into a football club with a great coaching team. Congrats to Steve and congrats to you on doing a fine job
Thanks for that mate. We’re all fans and here for the footy. When the time is right, we’ll have our say on other matters.
Amazing work again 60’s. Cowboys are red hot and we seem to get touched up in NQLD but this side is a great side just hope we don’t lose more than 4 points. From what I heard the final decision is in Greenburg’s hands alone. He will be given a recommendation report which he can override with what he thinks is best. I get the feeling the media will not be happy some are already back peddling (Kent)
I’d like to think that Greenberg will base his decision on facts, not media frenzy and agendas.