Last week the Parramatta Eels shifted their training base to a camp at Shelley Beach on the NSW Central Coast. TCT correspondent Mitchy was able to swing by for their field work at Mingara to bring you this training report. My apologies for the delay in posting his report.
Serenity on the Coast
While Mingara athletics fields may not be directly on the coast, it is close enough for the gentle south easterly breeze that came across the field from Tuggerah Lakes, via the beaches. Temperatures were nice and cool at 22 degrees, and dew point was 16.5. The venue itself for those not familiar with this beautiful part of the coast is approximately 10-15 minutes off the M1 past Tuggerah, and 10 -15 minutes from Shelley Beach. The smell of sand was in the air….
A great facility at Mingara.
The team had an early session today, consisting of normal warm ups and then some skills work which was broken up into forwards and backs. In the background Kookaburras, Butcherbirds and the odd Magpie called out to their families as the players looked relaxed, happy and focused on their set drills and plays. I think the squad was heading afterwards to Mingara Gym for a session, but this was not confirmed.
I have to comment on the venue itself. The oval is used each day for athletics training for individual work and is heavily used during the year by local primary and high schools. The grass seemed to be holding up quite well, as soccer (football) is played there in the winter.
Down To Business
I noticed the specific positioning of the coaching staff while the drills were being completed. The coaches were in the middle part of the field watching, and then getting involved directly to correct or reinforce the skill; or at the end nearest this reporter, the coach was standing in direct line of the ball runner, and was used as a marker; constantly reinforcing ball movement and where to be. The crispness of the passing was good, and yes at times there was some dropped ball that was admonished and support shown.
The drills as mentioned were separated into forwards and backs with key handling; and making decisions at the line the key. As normal some of the forwards played a key role in the backs play, and again the ball movement was flat and precise. Some of the plays included making decisions while evading someone, which is an important skill to have and could be the difference on game day to scoring a try or creating one for someone else.
The Spirit
The boys all showed good support for each other and I particularly noticed Taka, Hoff, Jenko and Vai doing some good things when catching kicks, and shepherding (correctly) the ball when in the air. All of the kickers precision was noticed using both sides of the field.
Vave – Quickly settling in to the hard work and the fun.
The forwards finished off a drill with bump pads and the ball player had to offload before being tagged. This was fun for the players, but also showed the competitiveness within the team environment and the cries of laughter and support could be heard from my vantage point. I am sure I could hear Franky and Vave in this one.
I have to mention the passing from dummy half from all players who played in that role; as it was flat, in front of the ball carrier and precise. All of the boys looked focused but relaxed, and the support for each other is always vocal and strong.
It was a privilege to be able to get down to the venue on my way from a work meeting, and then head off to work. Shhhh. It was great to see the entire squad and coaching staff on the coast.
Mitchy
Parra Forever……
A massive thank you to Central Coast local, Mitchy! Great report mate. Much appreciated.
Yes, well done
Cheers Manginina
Cheers Sixties,was great to watch them and is always like a good professional learning session..I was just happy to help out.
Heard the camp itself was just as intense as last year if not more so but the heat factor nowhere near as draining which was probably a good thing considering this summer is predicted as being one of the hottest for a while, my informant told me the cohesion and execution was better as a result, the boys earned a long weekend but were back to the punishment this morning.
Well about bloody time! 😉
I’ve been checking in here several times per day for the next training report and here it is. This is soon becoming an addiction.
Very much appreciated Mitchy and co.
Any word on how Fogarty and Norman went with the kicks? Did anyone else put a few up?
Grunta I did not recall seeing Fog put up many, but Norman and Gutho def did. They were dropping them nicely for the wingers; in attacking method and defensively too with some players running shepherds to emphasise pressure etc. This was a good drill, as they also ran another drill with the fullbacks involved.
Definitely Gutho and Norman did Grunts. I did not recall seeing Fog put up many…..they alternated with another drill involving the wingers and some players running lines to emphasise pressure. The drill also included the fullback in between long kicks to the side.
From my vantage point it was hard to get a close up look at who was who, as some had hats on.
Thanks Mitchy, that sounds good.
I don’t recall seeing Fog put up many bombs in his highlights reel?
No doubt he has that talent though.
Yes Grunta, he may have been in the other group that was further away; I did see him earlier and he is certainly a fit and strong looking player. I am v keen to see him play with a strong team. He seemed quite composed in the QLD final games.
Thanks Mitchy!! I like grunta have been hanging for some correspondence. With Only one lot of pictures from the eels last week the withdrawals were intense.
Jack, I feel the pain mate and know what you mean. Its good to have the TCT to read.
I took some pics, but they may have not have been as clear / and too far away. I also did not want to look like a ‘spy’.
Sorry Jack.
I stopped reading after, ‘I like Grunta..’
I’m in shock as I’ve never read that on any forum, ever!
;/
Can’t wait for a new training blog. The combos must be developing by now?
Got a couple of fellas in attendance but long work hours have prevented me discussing training with them. See what I can do tomorrow.
Thanks Mitchy great job and yep it is good to have TCT. The men who run this site do it for love and I for one cannot thank them enough.
Thanks Joe, yes correct mate and we certainly owe them a beer or ten.