Sunny but windy conditions greeted the Eels for their final Captains run of 2016. For the players, it marks the penultimate day of the season. In a year in which a deserved finals appearance will not be possible, I can assure all Eels fans that the squad has maintained its dedication and professionalism in every single week of their preparations. Here’s my final training report for the year.
What Is The Captains Run?
The Captains run is the final run through for the team prior to match day. Unlike opposed training sessions which involve the entire squad, the Captains run mainly involves the 17 players and a couple of extras. It is not uncommon for these to be closed sessions as you will witness late changes or particular plays being rehearsed. Prior to the run, Brad Arthur usually meets his media commitments with a press call.
The session starts with the players warming up with some diabolical music pumping out in the background. Of course this is a matter of taste, but I’ll simply state that the younger players in the squad must have control of the system.
Were they dancing? I can’t remember!
Brad Arthur and his staff control the first half of the session as the team run through some plays and have a bit of fun with their favourite game – offside touch.
After about half an hour, the captain and leadership group take over the session and practise some plays without the coaching staff. They conclude with the captain’s message and any departing or debuting players have to dance for their team mates. Today it was Gordon who showed his dance props.
Flash trips the light fantastic.
Today’s Highlights
I usually don’t report on Captain’s runs.
Primarily, it’s because it’s not appropriate to make public some of what I’ve witnessed. For example, prior to French’s unexpected debut, I watched him take part in the Captain’s run. No Parramatta fan would have wanted this debut known by the opposition earlier than necessary so I kept quiet. Considering that most home match Captain’s runs are held behind closed doors, it’s obvious that the coach doesn’t want the world to know what they’re planning.
Therefore, I’ll simply state that the enthusiasm and execution was as good as I’ve seen all year. Given that we’re at the end of such a tumultuous season, this was easily a highlight. I’d previously been told how well the team had prepared at the opposed session on Thursday, so this came as no surprise.
The energy and positivity was on display today.
Some of the official photos today illustrated the buoyant mood of the players. However, it didn’t capture the talk and enthusiasm as they ran through their work. It was genuinely as good as I’ve seen.
On a lighter note, Semi and Gutho had an extended goal kicking competition after the session. I can only assume that Gutho won after his goal celebration – something worthy of the EPL!
Gutho lets Semi know who rules.
Special Mentions
I was joined today by both Forty and Chris. I was also fortunate to spend time talking with Anthony Field. Anthony is instrumental in identifying and recruiting some of the key junior talent for our club, and importantly, watching over them once they’re in the system. Every chat gives me a greater insight about what’s going on not only in our club, but across the game. My thanks to him.
I will also mention that Anthony was there because an entire day of junior league finals were scheduled for the second oval at Salesyards.
At one point before the Captains run began, Brad Arthur wandered over to check out the action, giving us the opportunity to say hello and have a quick chat. One of the junior teams happened to walk past at this point, and BA congratulated every boy on reaching the final. The look on their faces was priceless. Anthony later shared with me that Brad was mobbed at a recent junior league game but made sure that he greeted every person before he left.
BA – looking after his squad but still finds time to greet the juniors.
I’d also like to acknowledge Kaysa Pritchard who ran over to some young kids who were watching the boys train. The kids were in their Cabramatta gear and when Kaysa saw them he came over to shake their hands and asked them what age group they were in and how they fared today. This sort of stuff means a lot to young kids. Well done Kaysa!
My Final Word
From my pre-season reports to this final Captains run, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reporting on the Eels preparations for this year. At times, this may not have been possible without a good mate who’s given me a heads up about times. My thanks to you.
I’d also like to thank the staff and the players who’ve taken the time to speak with me during the year. I’m just a fan, the same as thousands of other Eels fanatics, so it’s a measure of their appreciation of the role of fans to the club that they are often giving of their time.
Finally, a word on our little project here. I will write later about TCT and the great people who make this site work. However, I’m proudest of the fact that we have many people who have responded so positively to what we try to deliver to fellow Eels fans. I’m also proud of the respect and acknowledgement that we’ve received from the Parramatta Eels.
We hope you’ve enjoyed the journey this year.
Eels forever,
Sixties
Images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels
Great read Sixties.
Comprehensive and thorough. Really enjoy these posts. I didn’t know the sales yards host junior games.
Nice read and I gather the boys only travelled over today…?
Thanks to the TCT team for their Virgin year on the net. Good work and thank you to all.
The captains run is always a good read. Cheers
Almost time for the cricket season…..
Cheers mate. Thank you for your responses to our posts. It was great to meet you in person this year at training. I look forward to catching up again soon.
Ideally, the club would like to use Salesyards for Junior Rep games in the future, but the second field will require fencing and coaching/team facilities for that to occur.
Thank you for todays insights Sixties. Always a pleasure to read
Cheers Vincent.
60’s as usual a good read. I looked at a photo on the eels page, & could see a pretty good line up along the fence in one of them.
Thanks to you & all at TCT for the reports of so many different events in this heady year, heady if for no other reason that so much has gone on its hard to get the head around it completely. For me its easy to see the year as a write off, but I would rather say that as team in the modern era I believe they really came alive, the events, mistakes & all of the year & those before with the performance of the team & players they shook it all off & really showed a spirit that no other club could really show, many opposing players & commentators have given a huge wrap at that aspect of them all. Even though leaving a bit of a dig at the same time.
We go forward to a new year with excitment & hope of a better year yet.
Good to meet up through the year even though for just a short time, hopefully next year our paths will cross more, but we still have this great site to read & keep the friendship open,
I’m sure we will catch up next year mate. Thank you for your loyal readership and contributions to our site. Although we only met briefly, I thought it was fitting that both Wally and the Crow were at Salesyards that day and that you were able to speak with Wally. Given your family connection, it put a smile on my face to see you engage with him. Wally’s a good man.
Thanks Mate.
I knew his dad quite well, & had a yak the Wally at the shop a couple of years back, he no doubt gets a lot of different people into the shop, & pretty well had only repeated some of what we had said then, so he can’t remember everyone one. He gave me a signed mug & key ring from the shop, & still have them. Would have been nice to have met the crow, as we lived down there for4 years, but again likely not remember me either.
Certainly intend being down there a bit more next year, so hope to catch up.
Many thanks to you and the rest of the team 60s, an excellent article as always. Looking forward to reports during the loooong off season.
Would it be possible to report on juniors, U20s and ISC players you expect to progress to the next level. Always excited to see juniors progress to NRL level.
Many regards.
Absolutely Glenn. I’ve already spoken to Forty about this during the year. It’s his forte so I’ll throw it in his corner. ( I might throw in my two bobs worth and I reckon Joe and Ham will be two of the first to reply).
Glenn as an apertiser for the years ahead, I posted this on 1eeyed site but put here for the TCT’ers
http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/meet-parramattas-next-big-thing/
How good does he look!
We got to watch this young bloke in action quite a few times this year. Could be anything if he continues to develop.
I agree mate, have convince others, especially one over on the 1 eeyed site though.
People are rightfully cautious Colin. We’ve had a bag full of junior champions in the past, but the overhaul of the junior system will go a long way to ensure we get better at keeping the right ones.
60’s don’t disagree, but sometimes we see a player that just has & displays something extra, & try to put some positive thoughts regarding some exciting young players & then we are cut off at the knees trying to point forward. Looking back over the past couple of months & there has been several threads relating to some of our failures especially those who did not make it from jnr level football to the top, some experienced short stints others none.
I guess I feel disappointment when I look back on those players, yet I still get an uplift from the new ones with potential.
I spent much of the day doing some work in my hobby shed, wandered up at 4pm to have a shower then go out to watch what I thought was the TV match on 9 being the Tigers & Raiders. Switched the TV on & what in blazes the eels & Warriors match was on, Eels just scoring to get level at 12 all. A hasty setting up to record what was left of the game, & Semi makes a bust, does a beautiful cut out ball past Jennings for French to score. The rest is history, & we come out 40-18 winners, a young bloke too small scores a hat trick 2 weeks in a row. Pritchard comes on & he had a top game tried doing everything, young players that came up through our jnr ranks? or are they?
French from the bush into our junior ranks and Kaysa came through the ranks.
60’s when did French actually start in our system?
He was part of our SG Ball squad in 2014. From recall, they played him in the Guildford Shield team after his junior rep duties that year. Forty, Ham or Joe might be able to correct me if I’m wrong there.
Hi mate happy fathers day to you and all the other fathers on the TCT. It was great to catch up after the game at the Firehouse last Monday evening I might add that your better half leaves you for dead in the looks department, and then Anthony Field came over to the table and introduced Bevan’s mum to us. This is as usual a great read.Thanks to you and the rest of the boys for this site.I cannot believe I am waiting for the next season to start with the junior reps. Thanks Colin for the video highlights on William Key. I have my fingers crossed that he keeps developing, thanks again boys you truly have a great site and I am sure with the people running this site it will only get better.
Thanks Joe, but I won’t tell her that.
Before you know it the junior rep trials will be in action and there’ll hardly be an off-season.
How good is it to bend Anthony’s ear!
We plan to be bigger and better on TCT next year and we’ll keep up with Eels news and talk during the off season.
Glad to have such loyal readers.
Sorry that’s Kei.
Congratulations to everyone involved for a great year. Always a great read with great blokes
Cheers Tragic. It’s been great to meet so many of you in person at the footy or training this year.
Looks like that extra kicking done by Gutho and Semi paid dividends.
I love all the news about the Parra Boys so I would love to say “thank you” for taking us all on this great journey
and sharing all your stories and information.Very much appreciated.
You’re welcome John.
Thanks mate for everything you do for us crazy Eels fanatics.
We do it because we’re just as crazy and fanatical as all of you!