The Saleyards’ grounds probably held as much water as Parramatta Pools as the players took the field for a combined skills and conditioning session. Fortunately, the north-western field was in use today, so Geoff, David and I were able to view the work under the shelter of the brick ammenities shed. The downpour did make some player identification difficult, but it was a tremendous workout to watch.
The Warm Up
I mention this today because the players needed some warming up after yesterday’s weights session. The blokes are really ripping in during this first week and there were a few sore muscles after the heavy work from the day before. From my perspective, there appeared to be more stretching than usual. After the warm up the blokes were primed to tear into the opposed work.
Conditioning
There was an obvious intent to get plenty of kilometres in the squad’s legs this morning. They ran before the opposed work and ran again at half time. As usual, the referees join them for this conditioning. No doubt, the whistle blowers are fitter than they’ve ever been.
Some of the running requires the players to run in groups and keep together. Other running allows the fitter players to show their wares. The competition for the dummy half role is certainly on display at such times – with IDG, Pritchard and King consistently putting up their hand as some of the fittest players in the club. That’s not to say that the bigger blokes aren’t in great shape. Check out the images of Tim Mannah.
Yes, Tim Mannah is as fit as he looks!
Skills Drill
I’ll put a big tick on this. The ball work involved taking the ball up to a defender, hit, spin, offload then support players drawing and passing at a defence line. I’m a huge fan of all players knowing how to use the footy and not being robots out on the field. Naturally, there’s roles and structures that are essential in a team, but for mine, footy is about making use of time in possession. I liked what I saw!
The Opposed Work
To be honest, this is what I come to watch. It’s as close as you can get to watching a match and allows you to watch combinations growing. With NRL referees controlling the play, defensive lines, ruck speed and forward passes are all monitored. Most of the work during today’s match up was spent around the red zone.
For this, the squad was split into two teams. Each team was given extended periods in attack and defence. Play was often re-started with line drop-outs as the emphasis was on repeat sets. And wasn’t it fun to watch! (Kids these days never get the chance to enjoy themselves playing wet weather footy due to councils closing grounds after a few drops of rain. Personally, I used to love it.)
The ball movement was fast and relentless. Of course there was the odd ball put down, but considering the wet conditions, the handling was actually exceptional. Just as relentless was the defence. There was the odd hit or two that had me wondering whether the players were going to get up, such was the intensity. The wet ground lends itself to some spectacular collisions and even though no player goes out there to hurt a team mate, there was certainly very little holding back.
I’m reluctant to single players out, but I have to mention the performances of French, Semi, Mannah and Brown. In the forwards, Mannah has been showing off his ball skills as has Nathan Brown. Anyone who regards Brown as just a hard head would be greatly undervaluing him. Out in the backs, Semi took every opportunity that came his way and Bev looked like he had spiders on him. He even threw in the odd trick play to liven things up.
Semi put on a bit of a show today.
Missing Players
A few players were absent today with the wedding of Manu Ma’u taking place in New Zealand. Norman, Gutho, Taka and Frank Pritchard were each given time off – though it meant putting in an early appearance today before heading off for the happy event. Manu is a favourite of TCT and we wish him and his lovely bride congratulations and much happiness.
Finally, many thanks to Tim Mannah, Cameron King and Joey Grima for making us feel welcome today. It was also nice to meet one of our readers (Peter) and another Eels fan from New Zealand (please let me know your name mate as I didn’t catch it).
Eels forever!
Sixties
All images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels
Another welcomed write up, sixties. Thanks again!
Great to read that the opposed sessions are ‘lively’ and are taken seriously with almost full impact. I’m guessing that this may get quite fiery leading up to season proper, as it did last year apparently?
Being able to hear some of the collisions gave an indication of the step up in intensity. Obviously, it’s not quite at match level but it wasn’t far off. The level of talk during the opposed work was an eye opener too. The ball movement was something else – they would have derived confidence from it.
Hit and spin, my favourite phrase. Really hope we see more of this in the coming season.
Using the ball at and in the line – I like seeing a use of the ball that creates opportunities or the unexpected much rather than standard hit ups. I know it’s all part of the game but it’s important for us to have that capacity.
Thanks Sixties. really looking forward to this year, might even try & attend a game or 2 again.
Ray
To quote a mate, I think we’ll have some fun this year Ray.
Certainly looking good for the year, one of higher expectations.
Imagine having a year of just focussing on footy.
Great read once again .
Mate would you say that they are in better shape this year compared to last year ? Maybe the introduction of palmed has taken the team to a different level ?
Any smokies for the nrl side ? How good is the kid Morris ?
Thanks mate
I know that they are making sure that everything they do is a step up on last year Paul. For mine, fitness levels are up and the number of blokes unable to train appears down. It looks like the fitness work is very rugby league specific, and some of the players have spoken to us about how important that effort of getting up and down off the ground is and how beneficial it feels for them to include that in their conditioning. I’m locking in Matagi and Brown (just an opinion). Down the track, blokes like Aukafolau and Morris will show the benefit of full time training. Both have the physical presence of NRL players. Great futures.
Sixties, a few articles in the media today and over the last couple shows what is happening at other clubs in their training, one is about the dogs Kasiano, recently married and seeing a photo of him at training he has trimmed down heaps.
The others appear to show very similar training programs that the eels are doing this off season, Penrith was one, as was the Broncs. The articles look like they are covering each of the teams at a time, if anything is to be learned from all this is that its possibly going to be a different game heading into season 2017, with more teams looking to run more and create a more attacking game play than the over emphasis on defence that has crept in over the past few years.
Interesting. I know that BA aims for the team to always step up each year. This year, we aim to do more running than last year, but our work under Ronnie Palmer is very different to the last couple of years. The players genuinely look fitter.
As for the Dogs, I don’t think they have the cattle or the right coach.
Great report again sixtiesboy.
Your flair for identifying crucial elements of the day is actually more like a racecall for a big calender event. Every horse in the field gets a mention in the running with the added excitement of the contest between real contenders from approaching the turn to the finish line.
What you had to say about the wet weather was refreshing and reminded me of my youth relishing in a rainy game-day that brings all participants into the contest. It was truly a wonderful leveller which would unearth the odd suprise mud runner.
My ageing eyes struggle at times mate – I probably get too much credit at times. I have had the benefit of some company at training and this gives the added advantage of extra eyes and opinions during the session. I write a few reminders for myself as we watch and talk footy and I’m not opposed to “borrowing” some observations made by mates.
Occasionally we have the chance for an expert to give us the run down on what the team is working on. Even if I wasn’t reporting for TCT, I’d get down there. When you watch the team work on aspects of their game and then execute in matches, it takes the supporter experience to a different level.
There was something about playing footy in the wet as a kid. You threw yourself into the tackles a bit harder, attack and defence. Great fun, great memories.
Nice read Sixties. I’m surprised about the rain. We didn’t get as much as down at Parra. Good to see training on wet ovals……a thing of the past.
Good to hear about the opposed sessions, and Brown coming along well it seems. He will add some mongrel and skill no doubt.
Nice to hear abt Semi. I just hope things go well with this issue.
I’ll be there Monday if they train sixties. Early leave from us here…
Look forward to catching up with you mate.
Thanks sixties. I was the guy from NZ you mentioned – James. Enjoyed watching the boys run around and talking footy with u guys. We r in a good spot this year. Thanks did your reports!
Cheers James. It was great to meet you mate. Hopefully you get to make it over again soon. Make sure you let me know in advance.