After the Open Training Member Event on Monday morning, it was back to business for the Eels with their final training session of 2016. With the NRL referees in attendance, the squad were split into two groups for a full contact opposed session. Geoff had a bit of company today as I made my return to Saleyards. Here’s how I saw today’s proceedings:
Conditioning
Looking at the squad, the fitness levels seem to be well advanced on last year. The conditioning work that the squad is undertaking is completely different to the last couple of years. It’s not to say that the previous work was inferior in any way, but with change comes a freshening up for long term players. The up/down work that is so specific to rugby league is pivotal to their conditioning.
Today I was trying to avoid focussing on certain players but it was impossible to ignore the outstanding efforts of Gutherson, Norman, Jennings and Fogarty. These blokes are in superb condition and led all of the drills this morning. At times they appear to glide through their work. If you saw horses parading before a race like these blokes move on the paddock, you’d want to throw your hard earned their way.
The Match Up
There was no first string/second string teams today. The anticipated top 17 players were split equally between the two teams, with Corey Norman and Robbo on one side against Gutho and Dargan. IDG was rested from the opposed session, with Kaysa and the Fog taking on the two dummy half roles.
This was a an incredibly rugged encounter. The tackles were full contact and there was even a penalty or two for high shots. The players were really competitive and each team let their opposition know when they got the better of the other or earned a penalty. Dropped ball or poorly executed plays would earn both the frustration of the culprits and a response from the coaches.
Rather than focus on individual players, I’d prefer to comment on the expansive plays that were executed today. The final wash up of two tries apiece was not a true reflection of the attack on display. The forwards worked as a unit and the ball was shifted to both sides of the field to great effect. With three of the four tries scored out wide, and from a variety of plays, it was obvious that there is increasing confidence about the way the Eels will use the ball this year.
Of course all of this attack was met with equally impressive defence. In the past, I’ve watched opposed sessions where the contact is mostly grab and surrender. Not so today. The ferocity of the hit ups had to be met with solid body contact. The collisions could be heard off the field – I have not the slightest doubt that this was the most intense opposed session that I’ve witnessed.
With shots at goal taken today, the “bib” team with Gutho in the halves took the honours by 13 points to 8. Yes, they took a field goal! The match also concluded with the famous “Kenny Cramp”. Plenty of laughs and cheering at the end as the players gathered for a final word from BA.
Author’s Note
A big thanks to Craig Sultana for his time today and to Brad Arthur for popping over to wish us a Merry Christmas.
The whole footy department is chomping at the bit to play again. It can’t come soon enough.
I’ve timed my trip to New Zealand perfectly as I fly out this afternoon. The Eels return in the first week of January and I’ll be there to cover it for you.
I’d like to wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas and thank you for your support this year. Bring on 2017!
Eels forever!
Sixties
Merry christmas! I’m off to NZ as well! travel safe.
Just arrived in Auckland. Enjoy your time in NZ too mate.
Thanks for all the posts this year Sixties. I’m looking forward to 2017.Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you & your family.
Regards
Ray
Thanks Ray. Hope it’s a great one for you and your family too.
BA has his work cut out. The contact session featured impressive displays from Schulte, Tuha, and G. Jennings in the backs and Kelepi impressed me in the forwards for mine. Not to say that the main guys are doing their job, but its great to see some of the lesser lights shining.
You are saying things like “great run, who was that?” “Kelepi”, “great pass Honeti” stuff like that throughout the session. I am sure the main guys notice this and if not I’m sure it is pointed out at the video sessions
I spoke to one of the main guys in the team at the 20’s trial on Monday night and he was enthusing how great it was to have so many good players competing for his spot as it will make him a better player.
Also exciting to see Bev run down a runaway winger
Today’s session was a great way for the team to put an exclamation mark on the year !
Too true mate. We both commented on Tuha during the session and the improvement in Schulte. I’ve always been a fan of Kelepi and the fearless way he charges into the line. George Jennings needs to shave his beard off to make it easier to tell him and Michael apart.
Thank you for producing a web page that is an Eels followers dream.
You blokes are inspirational with the passion you show for “all things” Parramatta. Makes me proud to be a supporter.
Please have a safe and happy holiday period with your family and friends.
Can’t wait for the season to begin – in the NRL and here in my part of the State.
Happiness is a winning football team.
Thanks fellas for bringing a lot of enjoyment to an old blokes life…
Thanks mate – we’ve got some way to go to match your years of loyalty! Have a great Christmas.
To quote the old cliche`….”This is going to be the best PRE-SEASON ever!!!!.”
Just out of curiosity, does Noddy Kimmorley attend the sessions and get involved?
I haven’t seen him ever. The time he was there was on a Wednesday. I have driven by on a Wednesday and there doesn’t seem to be a field session that day so I try to get work done. Wednesday might be when he attends training
60’s and all TCT contributors, thanks for all the reports especially when there are different plays and names in the squads, reading these posts and reviews is almost as good as being there as the reports are very clear and shows a team that consists of more than the players getting on extremely well together, 2017 and beyond is looking very good.
Eels web site has the news that Gutho has signed up until end of 2019.
I would like to convey to all here the compliments of the season, have a safe, happy Christmas and New year.
Yeah, good news eh. It was agreed to a little while back.
I knew you’d come through sixties! Albeit, eventually…;)
I think the most exciting thing for me from that report is that Fogarty was practicing at hooker?
I believe that he and Ben Hunt, if he was to arrive by some miraculous chance, could turn out to be incredible hookers? They are both so quick between the ears and have great short kicking games.
Now, about French to the halves….lol.
Thanks for this sixties, I must say I have quite the addiction!
Again, to the TCT team, merry Xmas and enjoy the holiday.
Go you Eels!
Thanks Grunta. As Geoff will attest, I mainly watched and enjoyed today without taking my usual notes. Geoff pointed out some of the lesser lights to shine, and rightly so. For me, the positive attitude across the squad and the competitiveness of the contest today was the highlight. I don’t know whether much could be read into Fogarty playing out of dummy half today – I guess we’ll see.
Have a great Christmas.
Dont think ba or staff see anyone as lesser lights nowadays just looking for and giving opportunitys to those who want to shine the brightest , yestedays session was as good as any you would want to see and the coaching staff were rightly impressed , this is not a team anymore its a squad ,a club a family that embraces the players the staff and the supporters as one ! Im excited , no one can predict a premiership with certainty but one thing we do have back is respect !!!!!!!
What a brilliant way to end the year! Looking forward to getting back there early January!
Wishing a merry xmas to tct and its followers, the people responsible for this site are to be commended for their tremendous work and support for the Eels and their supporters, special mention to craig the mainstay of this well respected publication, cheers!
Many thanks Ted. I’m proud to work with a great group of people on this site – and we’re blessed to have the quality responses that we do – thanks to everyone for that. Merry Christmas to you and all of the Arthur family.
True Ted….It is an OUTSTANDING web site….
Look forward to getting back to TCT again next year. Merry Christmas to all.
What a refreshing read. I have come across from the other site as I am interested in my club, its players and how we are training. Classy site and credit to everyone involved.
Thanks for coming across Paul. We’re just footy here.
Can I just ask whether there is a return date for training and training reports?
Cheers…
It’s likely to be 3rd or 4th of January. I haven’t confirmed yet. Given that they finished on a Tuesday, I’d reckon first day back would be a Wednesday, though that’s just my reckoning. I will be confirming next week when I’m back from NZ.