Oppressive conditions greeted the Eels at Old Saleyards this morning in a session openly described as the toughest yet. Of course the players weren’t the only ones braving the conditions, as both Geoff and Chris applied the sunscreen and zinc cream as they stood in the sun on behalf of TCT. After getting both to step away from their cold beers tonight, I’ve managed to get the low down for this report.
Run, then run some more…
There was no rest for the wicked as the players got absolutely smashed out on the field. The squad were run through a variety of fitness drills, from grid work to all of that up and down off the ground grind. The highlights available on the Eels official site (from about 3:00) give some insight on this conditioning.
http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2016/11/18/highlights_week_thre.html
Words can’t possibly do justice to how much running was put into their legs today. The conditioning work was unrelenting. Throw in the heat, and the players were absolutely gasping for breath. The players look fitter than last year, but their attitude and determination will continue to be tested – things definitely won’t get any easier!
Gutho just effortlessly glides through the fitness stuff. As well as being a skilled footballer, he is an absolutely natural athlete. Special mention was made of both IDG and Alvaro. De Gois pretty much keeps up with Gutho but does so out of unwavering determination. Alvaro has been the best of the big men, giving his all in every single session. This young bloke leaves nothing out there.
Isaac De Gois – all heart and determination.
The Skills
It’s obvious that the Eels are getting kilometres in their legs with the football in their hands. There was a couple of ball work components in the session today. In the first of these, the squad was divided into three rotating groups. The attacking team focussed on delivering and receiving the ball under defensive pressure. With passes thrown just before or at the line, there was a genuine pace in this drill.
Tepai welcomed the Fog to blue and Gold territory today.
The second drill placed the players in a 13 on 13 opposed session which was not for the faint-hearted. A highlight which emphasised the brutality of the game was a ferocious hit by Tepai on the Fog (following a kick). It put both players on the ground and out of the session for a while.
Other Notables
Chris was impressed with Taka’s work with the ball as well as the talk from Vave. Vave looks to be a confident team member. His signature was a good get.
Vave – A strong voice out on the field.
Geoff was astounded with the impacts during the opposed work and was full of praise for Daniel Alvaro. The intensity from the last two days of training has been unbelievably impressive. One gets the impression that Brad Arthur has really laid down the law about the standards expected. The players have long bought into his hard work philosophy, so it’s no surprise that the competition for places has taken training to a new level.
Eels forever!
Sixties
All images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels
Thanks for the update. Corey Norman took 3 years of development, improving each year. Gutherson continues to impress, comparing his rate of improvement in the past 12 months, his natural fitness and resilience (didn’t miss a game last year) – it gives you every confidence he’ll work out as a N#6.
I agree mate. His improvement last year was exponential. The closer he got to the footy, the better he played. It’s been said to me that Gutho was rated as a potential superstar at Manly as he came through their systems. Some rated him just as high as Tom Turbo. He certainly had the junior rep pedigree and was a leader. Only injury curtailed his progress there. He put on something like 8 kg during 2016. He will start 2017 in great shape and with a full season of NRL behind him. My expectations are high.
sixtiesboy et al, your coverage and dedication are highly appreciated by me, and others I should think! Keep up the excellent work! I love reading about the hard work our team is putting into becoming a more competitive and fitter group! May the results shine on the field next season!
Thanks Rob. “et al” takes me back to Year 10 Latin classes, not that I remember too much these days! We really appreciate the positive feedback. TCT just wanted to provide fellow fans with a pure footy site. I can assure you that this site is read by Eels staff and the media, and the replies add plenty to our posts. I can also assure you that this squad is both strong and pumped for next year. 2017 should be huge!
Thanks again for the report sixties. couple with the video from the eels site it really shows the intensity of all the players as well as coach and RP. Some little snippets that I note from that video.
Of note to me in them is even the old guy in RP was able to hold himself body still on his elbow and toes when the younger players had the wobbles, and some reckon he is/was beyond it? As Major Payne would say HE HE HE, comp this my little Sprouts or was it cauliflowers?.
BA also had a good gee up to them outside.
The intensity shown in the tackles inside. I think Kenny E has a bit of a mean streak in his dedication.
Was good to see Frank at training , not sure if he enjoyed it that much though as he went down at the end, the big thing though was though was to see how many of the other eels players come over and pat him, one ever spraying water, must have been a cruel initiation to the eels training. What also of his little brother, Kaysa? This kid I believe shows all heart, his determination in training as well as the high 5’s at the end, also giving his brother a pat and a word as Frank was on his haunches. I really hope that he can make 2017 a real breakout year to establish his value.
Colin, Kaysa has long been regarded as a player of high potential. Runs and tackles without fear. We are very well served for dummy halves.
Feel a bit sorry for Frank (but only for a week or so). He is a big fella and the change in climate cant be easy on him. Can confirm he is doing his best to push through it and is only slightly off the pace.
Kaysa is a leader at training always up the front in the drills. Has looked sharp from dummy half in the opposed sessions (as have De Gois & King). I dont think we are as bad off as some seem to think here
I agree with you regarding the 9 position and I am not of the same conviction that Kaysa is a nothing player as some are of. My concern with him is more of a need to have his confidence built up and that can only come with more game time. When he is left to come on late I get the sense is that he overplays his game as he wants to be on the field, extra time will allow him to come on without as much pressure in that area, and he has enough time to play.
For anyone not aware, parrathruandthru is Geoff. The dedication from Geoff and others allows me to post training reports whenever I can’t attend myself.
outed
Ha – deservedly so!
Love reading ALL your reports and this site is second to none. I have been following since last year and you boys put in as much work here as our mighty EELS do on the field. Sixties love your work here and your comments on 1eyed.
Too kind mate. This site works because we focus on the footy and the readers look for that. We’ve learnt plenty in this first year and we aim to be bigger and better next year.
Excellent stuff. Appreciated beyond words.
As sad as season 2016 was it will be seen as the year our Mighty Eels began to move in the right direction. It also marks the year we got The Cumberland Throw. Fred Pickup would be well pleased. I anxiously wait for every report. Thanks.
Cheers to everyone at TCT.
Gaz
Fred pickup theres a blast from the past ,67/68 if i remember right
Cheers Gazza – thanks for the praise and for referencing the blast from the past. I get the feeling Grumpy would have watched Fred in action.
Well I know I did. A no nonence character was Fred. One of my favourites. Master of The Cumberland Throw. Ahhhh. Those were the days. Sixpence as a kid into the hill area and another sixpence through the gate and into the grandstand area. How times have changed.
Now you’re heading back to pre 1966! You’ll give your age away mate. Congratulations on your years of support. Very happy to have you as a reader of our site.
Great stuff as usual guys. Thanks for your effort.
Cheers Pou.
Love the updates. This level of fan engagement is great. I feel very informed.
Seems like Alvaro is the shining light on the training paddock. Everybody is leaving him out of the nrl top 17 but sounds like he’s making it hard for BA.
Thanks mate. We aim to work alongside the club, with our advantage being the capacity to offer opinions and valid criticisms. The club and coaching staff has long been aware of what Danny brings. He is rated close to the top of the squad when it comes to dedication and professionalism.
A very good read Sixties. Gutherson continues to show leadership qualities it would seem. He also shows a good head on the shoulders, albeit that haircut….is interesting.
Kelepi…? How does he look? I would like to see him develop into a first grader. His build is good and wish he’d come through. Thanks again Geoff and co for the information.
I rate Kelepi Mitchy. He is in unbelievable shape and has obviously been training hard over the off-season. Until he got injured early last year, Kelepi was a standout for Wenty and had featured in the ISP team of the week. He was running and tackling without fear. Wenty lost a lot of impact after his injury. The competition for places in the pack is really tough and I hope he gets the chance to show what he can do.
I seem to remember before he was injured there was a fair degree of talk about him having interest from a couple of other clubs such was the way he was playing. How fickle is the finger of fate that can turn a player into the old proverbial turkey to feather duster situation. There were a few putting him in the same category as Jason Taumalolo.prior to the injury but very quiet afterwards.
Not on the eels I read where Jackson Hastings has been punted to full time with Wyong Roos, a big drop for him.
I think if the team was picked on physique alone then Kelepi would be one of the first picked. He looks to be super condition but then again there isn’t much flab amongst the entire squad from what I’ve seen. He does look as though he’ll be another who’ll be pressing at some stage for NRL selection in 2017.
Thanks Geoff for your contribution to the TCT training reports. Always anticipated and always appreciated.
With the new editions its getting a lot more congested and kelepi would be a fair way down in the pecking order my opinion ,still has substantial quiet periods in games at wrong times ,needs to put his hand when the going gets tough ,hasnt done that so far im afraid !
Injuries aside, the players ultimately determine their own fate with their performances. If they work hard at training, and produce on the field, the rewards will come.
Trapped in 70’s I totally agree.Kelepi could be anything IMO.just hope we see the best of him, and injury free mate. His build is like Taumalolo. Kelepi I hope has an injury free run, and a regular in firsts.
The difference, a huge one, between Kelepi and Taumololo is the latter’s MASSIVE size, he’s a lot taller and substantially heavier. But, yes, builds are similar, and Kelepi is lean and very muscular too.
According to Wikipedia;
Taumalolo is 191cm/113kg
Tanginoa is 181cm/102kg
I apologise to everyone for misspelling Taumalolo earlier.
Thanks rob did not realise the weight was that much. I’d have thought v similar. Knew he was shorter than Taumalolo.thanks for clearing up. Kelepi can be v good…
Thanks for these updates sixties and Geoff etc.
I have a gut feeling that this bunch of blokes, headed by BA and co are truly building towards something special. A premiership? I’m not so sure, if all the planets align!
I will just really enjoy watching my team put in every week without the off field rubbish of recent seasons.
If nothing else, this team and competition for spots, will be very competitive.
Can’t wait for March to arrive!
How true is that Grunta! Let the team achieve what they may without the background issues.