It’s the first day of November, the first day of Eels pre-season training, and a brilliant day to be at the Old Salesyards facility. If you’re like me, you are probably champing at the bit for the new season to begin. Season 2017 might still be four months away, but the sight of our squad hitting the training paddock makes it seem like it’s just around the corner.
It was all fitness work today, as it will likely be for many of these sessions, yet there were still a couple of highlights to report to our Blue and Gold readership.
Full Squad Returns Next Week
Many of the top 17 did not return to training today and are not expected until next week. However, Corey Norman, Kenny Edwards, Kaysa Pritchard, Daniel Alvaro, Bevan French, Tepai Moeroa and Peni Terepo did hit the paddock. New recruits Nathan Brown, Will Smith and Siosaia Vave were also in attendance. Brown in particular looked to be in great shape and was one of the leading forwards.
Jamal Fogarty Makes An Impression
The Eels recruit from the Queensland Cup has wasted no time in making an impression. Leading his group in many of the fitness drills, Fogarty stood out with both his work ethic and encouragement of his new team mates. This bloke looks to be in superb condition and has obviously been putting in the hard yards during his time off. And why wouldn’t he? He’s got the opportunity to push his claims to play in the NRL in 2017 and the pre-season is his first chance to shine. It’s extremely early days but I was very pleased with what I saw today.
Corey Norman’s Leadership
In a similar vein to last year, the call of body language and heads up echoed around the ground. For anyone unfamiliar with this catch cry, there is an emphasis to not let the opposition see evidence of fatigue and to keep your head up and stay in the game. The benefit of this was on display during 2016 as the Eels earned the reputation as genuine competitors with a trademark dogged defence.
Obviously, Corey Norman has taken up the challenge of being a senior player this year as he led many of the drills today and backed it up with his talk. From the moment he completed each drill, Normz was on the prowl, offering encouragement and reminding the squad to keep their eyes up. The banter and the laughs were still on display, but his game face was on when the hard yards were being done. Corey has already demonstrated his on field leadership, and it looks like extending beyond game day.
Young Blokes
I should mention the efforts of Jack Morris and Alex Twal. Jack has been identified as an NRL player of the future and Twal was asked to step up for Wenty during 2016. Both trained strongly today and would have earned praise from the coaching stuff. Should also welcome Marata Niukore to the squad.
Other Notables
Daniel Alvaro has always been one of the hardest workers at training, and this session was no exception. It’s unlikely that the training staff could expect more. Kenny Edwards and Cam King look to have returned in fine shape as does Kaysa Pritchard. To be honest, the modern NRL player can’t afford to have a genuine off-season and the players have all likely worked hard during their break.
Welcome The Cougar, Ronnie Palmer
Today’s field work was all Ronnie. The champion trainer is currently in a moon boot, but it didn’t slow down his energy and enthusiasm. The boys knew they were back at work after today (and we were only watching the field session). We enjoyed a bit of banter with Ronnie as he walked past – he’s going to be a good fit at the Eels.
Author’s Note
I really enjoyed attending today’s session. Joe, Hamish and Peter dropped in so there was plenty of footy talk and bold predictions about what lies ahead.
A special thanks to the staff and players who took the time to say g’day and make us feel welcome. Craig, Jason, Murph, Joey, Ronnie and BA all came over to say hello. Throw in Kelepi, Tepai, Normz, Kaysa, John Folau and Cam King all stopping to greet us, and it made for a positive day.
Eels Forever!
Sixties
Nice to see mate. Thanks for the update. Hope the players stay fit and healthy.
Work or training? What’s your recommendation mate?
Training anyway bud. You can program there too.
Awesome stuff.
Get on the Eels, Top 4 baby.
Enjoyed today and the banter mate. Hope you kept Borgie under control at the club.
Ohhh yes this has wet my whistle nicely…footy!!!
It’s what we do Gem, wet those whistles!
Sixties Good Stuff, not really. Great stuff and a great sign for the future.
Anyone who puts Ron Palmer down and sees him as yesterdays man need to read this post, for the trainer to be pushing and more importantly leading by example it leaves, at least me in no doubt this man is an excellent fit for the club. To also read that the players came back in good condition is also a good sign.
Would seem that Corey is looking to the C position, and with a lot of talk elsewhere about the need for a 9, and something I have said previously, and now you say how he went today, I wonder if Fogarty may actually end up sharing the position with Pritchard.
Only off season but wondering if there is set days for the training? would like to get down one day again.
Hi Col. I don’t have any times at the moment and I normally prefer to watch when there’s more ball work. However, this is a big year coming up and I was off work for a few days so I decided to catch day 1.
Thanks mate.
Will try and get down before they break before Christmas but certainly be there after.
Oh yeah! Yep that hit the spot! Thank god for the update. Finally forward motion into our 2017 season! Same time again tomorrow 60’s?
I don’t have any definite time for tomorrow. Got there early today but field work didn’t start till 10:30. I think this first week is a bit more ad hoc.
Wednesday might not be a good day for me so I’ll probably head down on Thursday.
Sixties can you have a look at my request please further down the blog.
Hey mate how good was that and it was made better catching up with your good self, Hamish and Peter. Hamish did not have to keep me in check because I am quite. Bevin’s mum and brother Luke came in and in got to talk to both of them for a few minutes. Luke is more out spoken than Bevin tall has an iron grip for a hand shake very polite. for those of you people who do not know the people who started this site e.g. Sixties,Forty,Chris, DK,Miatch plus Hamsammich, etc let me tell you I am proud to call them mate you couldn’t ask for better people. Thanks again boys for everything.
Enjoyed the day mate. Thanks for the company and feedback.
I love these preseason training updates Sixties. i remember last preseason and i use to look forward to them every week. Can i get permission to blog your pre-season article onto the 1EYED forum, with a link to the TCT , and obviously attributed to you and TCT?
Bugger the 1 eye eel ,let them do thier own work ,
Here here grump from the Backbench 👏🕵🏻
Vince, we all still drop into 1ee from time to time but this is available to read here.
A great read . Thanks for the write up. Def see positives for 2018. If frankie thinks we are a shot at winning the title then i moght drop down early next season and catch up with you boys to see them train
Great to see you around, Sinners!
Missed you mate.
BTW a great read sixties.
Can’t wait for some footage or pics of the new recruits in the blue and gold.
Thanks so much sixties
Thanks Sinners, Grunta and Pou. It’s a pity work interferes with my reports! Thankfully the club will post training videos.
Already one up on the site.
Just like the old saying. Work is the curse of the drinking man.
60s do you know why all the roster wasn’t there?
TCT trumpeted Aardvark’s signing (but so far no confirmation by Club) so when do you expect him to attend training?
Auto correct working a treat! There are various reasons – players owed time off, booked holidays, contracts being finalised, different dates of last matches and so on. I’d expect contracts to be announced soon and all players there next week (bar Manu)
I also don’t think Semi will be back until the following Monday.
hi can you video there next training please sixtiesboy
was Auva’a there training to
The complete squad (minus Manu) is expected next week.
Paul, I don’t think that would be allowed. From my limited knowledge anyone watching is to do so well back from players and not do anything like that. Sixties and co would know the protocol. I have been twice and was v happy to see them train and how some things are done.
Mitchy is correct Paul. We are guests in their workplace. Furthermore, we enjoy a good relationship with the club, the staff and the players and don’t want to jeopardise that.
Also, we are expecting the club to provide training videos, similar to last year.
First time in a while I have been correct….
I know its been said many times but again, a great report. Many thanks to u & associates for the effort & the passion. The pre season reports help your fellow fans to survive the orf season.
Glad to hear mate. Thanks for the feedback.
Longtime listener, first time caller… I love this site & look forward to every new post. Thanks!
Welcome mate! Don’t be a stranger and be sure to follow us on Twitter. We do a bit of our quick news through Twitter.