Early this morning the prospect of catching any Eels field work looked grim. All night rain had continued as drizzle and my love of Parramatta was unlikely to draw my presence under an umbrella on a cold winters day. However, the sky cleared and I took my chances on catching the fellas going through the paces at Old Salesyard. I was glad that I did.
The Return of Robbo
Having just watched Jeff Robson guide the Wenty Team to their first win in ten weeks, I suspected that a recall to the NRL was on the cards. His weekend cameo for the Magpies featured the direction and kicking game that the young team had been missing since the injuries to Kelly and Cornish. He topped off a solid performance with a try assist and a four pointer of his own. With the Eels short on halves and an alternate kicker, it seemed like a perfect fit. Pending any necessary NRL clearances that might be needed, I would expect him to be named.
Based on today’s training, Robson seems to have transitioned into the NRL team with ease. He didn’t overplay his hand and will obviously need to develop his combinations. However, it makes an obvious difference to see an experienced and confident half on the field. The options for both kicking and general play now open up on both sides of the ruck and Norman won’t be the only player to provide the kicks.
Robbo looks fit and eager. It’s good to have him back at the club, for whatever duration that may be.
The Return of Taka and Tim
One of the most impressive features today was the combination of Taka and French. Brad Takairangi does such a brilliant job engaging the opposition defence and he was at it again during the opposed session. Bevan was the beneficiary today as Taka opened up space for him. Great to watch!
I had spoken to Tim Mannah the day before and he indicated that he was very close. Though he was yet to be confirmed in the team and may still be under an injury cloud, he did train strongly in the opposed session.
Return? Tim Mannah might just be ready to return this week!
Corey Norman Looking Sharp
In assessing today’s work, I’d rate Corey Norman as the most outstanding on field. He looked really sharp with the options that he was taking and was very vocal in the middle.
As the only recognised half on the field since Foran’s absence, a lot of responsibility has fallen on Norman’s shoulders. Rob sons presence creates other options and removes some of the pressure. That seemed apparent in today’s run.
Interested Spectators
Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge a regular contributor to TCT, Colin Hussey. I had the pleasure of meeting Colin and his lovely wife at training today. I trust that you enjoyed watching the session mate.
Secondly, Colin and I were able to grab a few words with Parramatta legend (and TCT’s first guest) Peter Wynn. Peter was there to catch up with another legend, Mick Cronin. Fantastic to see these fellas down at Old Saleyards.
I’d also like to mention the return of Joey Grima to Eels training. Joey has been unwell recently and Nathan Cayless has stepped into the breach to look after Wenty. Joey seems to be on the mend. As Joey would say, “Blue and Gold, never fold!”
Eels Forever
Sixties
I’m glad Jeff Robson is back, and I hope he does get picked to play the Roosters.
Interesting to read about Peter and the Crows at training. Both super blokes, and epitomise the Eel spirit.
I am doing a radio interview with Mick for a local Friday sports show I have on community radio in Hay. I spoke to him last week when ringing him for his birthday, and confirmed it…just gonna talk about SOO..
I have been able to interview David Furner and Michelle Payne this year, and apart from Mick, I have lined up a talk with Greg Brentnal on the Melbourne Storm….
Love the TCT page, Sixties…You do a great job…
Thanks Parra Pete. We have a number of great contributors/writers on this site and our regular responders add to the flavour. Please give my regards to Mick. Tell him how much you enjoyed the interview that we did with him and Edgie!
Will do..Interviewing him tomorrow for Friday’s Show..
Hi mate it was great catching up last Sunday. Wenty looked a different side with Robbo in the side.Just on Joey who is natures own gentleman is going into hospital on Friday and although I wished him all the best in person I want to repeat it again.God bless Joey
I think Joey might browse our site from time to time – I hope that he reads this and catches your regards. All the best Joey.
60’s a pleasure to meet you in person & your wife as well. My first time at an eels training in probably 40 odd years, back then it was at night at Cumberland, & then down the road to have a beer with the players, such as bear, baker, pittard & some others. Training in this age is so different, the old days, a couple of hours of running, some ball work, rub down & a beer & home, twice a week at night & Saturday morning when playing Sunday.
Today watching the overall training that started with some darting runs, & other more like warm ups, similar to what we see on the TV on game night, then the time with a ref in the middle, playing in team formations was certainly much different. For me watching Robson & you could not miss him with the sun out as I think after the dome shave he put some dome wax on as it was shiny. But gee he seemed as good at training as I saw him in the eels shirt how many years ago, but to me he has developed more skills in reading a game as he kicked & did some nice pass work.
Not being a regular at a game, & just a box viewer, it was easy to pick some players but not others, I thought Tim looked good in the contact work, & the combination that seemed to be for the training paddock with French outside Taka was something to see, & both are back in the team tonight.
Gordon looked good under the high balls & whoever was at the back for the other side seemed to do ok as well.
A good day all round, & gee wont it be great when this years drama’s are put to bed, decisions handed down, the EGM & a new board & direction. A worry free year with the team there today plus some new faces to add to the team, & we will not know ourselves.
I see a great or grand future, should the pins fall right, & ATM we are maybe not on a strike but a spare down the lane.
Yes it was a pleasure mate. I think you’ll find that it was Honeti Tuha at the back with the Wenty squad. He had a great game on the weekend. Looking forward to watching Robbo this week.
That was the fellow I was actually referring to when we were talking, looked more stout then Fuamaono, & had sort of ginger hair, with a tuft on top. He looked to have quite a solid & strong build, I tend to remember one run of his where he surprised me with his speed.
I remember when he signed it was on 2nd tier for 12 month contract trial a bit different wording to the others who were just 12 months.
Craig, it was most interesting to me in seeing the difference between the old days & training set up which was basic at best but primarily to keep the players fit enough to play each week. Depending on the coaches at the time there was a degree of team play & ball work, & interesting regarding the different coaches at the time, from Bolton, Fearnly, Provan & the like, before moving down the south coast for work. One person who coached the lower grades who I thought would have handled the top side quite well was the pom Ivor Lingard. He only had a year before leaving, & got the reserves up to a great standard. at least I think it was the reserves.
Aha – the man who actually brought “the Cumberland Throw” to Parra. The Bear really rated Norm Provan as a coach, for his levels of fitness and professionalism. Said he gave them a great insight into what it took to win premierships.
Wonderful to hear that input Colin!! – Fan of the golden years, first time at ‘Old Saleyards’ was a special insight!!
Hi Craig. Colin is a great contributor here so it was a pleasure to meet him.
How good will our play be with two full-time NRL halves on the field. I think we only did it 3 times previously this year!
Thanks for the update Sixties. Glad to see you’re using your holidays well.
I’m looking forward to watching the difference this week mate. Very lucky to catch today’s work. Popped down yesterday and they were only just starting at the time I had to leave. I only ventured down today because the rain cleared.
Sounds like everyone had an interesting time. Wish I had been there.
It was really good today John. Some of their sharpest work.
Does anyone have a view on the likliehood of Robson getting a further year in 2017. Age would appear to be against him. He does have far more experience than both Kelly and Cornish. You would assume that he would have to knock one of those out to get another year. It may likely come down to his form between now and the end of the season, if he has any chance at all.
John. who knows at this point of time.
Currently we only have one player who is recognized in the halves outside of Robson & that’s Norman. The 2 backups are out for the year, Kelly for certain, & Cornish, how long is he out for? The only options left after them is the 2 young ones in NYC, Dargan & Doolan & fill ins from other ITP Wenty team.
Next year, its hoped Foran will be back, & Norman, so who will be the next ones in line? Kelly & Cornish are both off contract this year. Maybe Robson could stay as we need a 3, & he could be handy as a playing halves coach for they younger players.
I reckon that someone like Robbo could have a role next year, especially if he was happy to sign a second tier contract. He would be great to help develop a young half beside him at Wenty – like a mentor.
60’s In the post advising of his signing, sure it was BA who said he would be a handy addition as well as being a mentor to Wenty for the forwards in defence. I thought it was a strange bit saying working with the forwards & in defence, but to me the aspect of his signing for the rest of this year, & even the prospect of next year as a 2nd tier player for wenty would mean he would likely become the 3rd half for the top grade if all works out with both Norman & Foran,
Think it was Phil who mentioned that Kelly may be going to SL & Cornish may get another year to show his wares as he got a season ending injury early in the piece, so a bit unfair to write him off as a result. Outside of those two, we only have the likes of Dargan & Doolan as fall backs, & doubt if they would be ready until at least 2018. Robson could be seen as being a mentor for the two of them. a good move methinks.
It baffles me that people aren’t on board with Robson returning. Sure, maybe he’s not quite what he once was…but he’s a half, and we desperately need one. His introduction means that guys like Kenny and Takz can go back to more familiar positions, not to mention the pressure it takes off Normz – which can only benefit his game IMO.
His experience will also be invaluable for the poor guys in Wenty who are doing it pretty tough at the moment. He’s obviously still fit enough and as you mention Sixties, if he was happy to take some kind of second tier contract (I don’t see why he wouldn’t be) then that could be very handy as well. I believe he is a Parra junior? I’m sure he’d like to remain around the club if possible.
I think we’ll be too good for the chooks this weekend!
GemKH
Wiki shows he comes from Leeton & started with Manly before coming to the eels at his first stint. From memory of his earlier time with us, he was just another half, nothing bad but nothing great, I thought he could have kicked on but he was a victim of the eels success of that year & like Kingston who went to Penrith had to be let go owing to cap issues. They go back a long way.
Certainly at the Sharks he developed into a pretty good half, while not brilliant he did well enough to hold down his spot, & from what I saw yesterday of him he looked quite good, I doubt very much if he will let the club down for the remainder of the year. When at Cronulla he seemed to lift his kicking game compared to how he was when he was here, experience does that.
Someone mentioned on the 1eeyed page about his kicking, being a right side player & kicker, he actually compliments Norman who is a left side kicker, & provides us with some variations in the play the ball & kicking department as against having only the one kicker in the squad.
Outside of Norman, with the unknowns that are with Norman & Foz for different reasons there is need for a back up half, outside of the main two, there’s only Kelly & Cornish both off contract end of this year, & the NYC pair of Dargan & Doolan,& I doubt if they will be ready until at least 2018.
Col, I have the feeling that Robson played lower grades with us before making his first grade debut with Manly. I’ll have to check that out.
That is the way I remember it as well. When he signed with the Eels from Manly I am sure there was discussion about him returning home to the Eels. He definitely came originally from the Riverina, Leeton sounds correct.
Great to have your feedback here Gem.
Two things that you highlight are critical – allowing players to play in preferred positions and taking the pressure off Corey. Hope to see these benefits pay immediate dividends.
Sounds like you both had good days Colin & Craig going by all of that banter. Always interesting to get another persons observations Colin of what goes on at training. Always enjoy reading both of your contributions so keep them coming.
I’d have loved to have been in a shout with Baker, Pittard and the Bear although I reckon the next would have followed very close behind.
cheers