Much kinder conditions greeted the players, and your correspondent, for today’s field session. With no opposed work slated in, there was a heavy focus on ball skills on the agenda. I’m convinced that Parramatta have up-skilled the entire squad – and the proof should be witnessed on the field this season.
The Elephant In The Room
Let’s get this out of the way. Semi was in attendance. Semi has been at each of the field sessions that I’ve attended. I’m no closer to knowing what will unfold this year – and there’s certainly a bit of water to flow under the bridge in 2017. There’s only thing that I can assure fellow Eels supporters of – Brad Arthur will do what’s best for the club.
Semi – here for now.
Conditioning With The Cougar
Firstly, a comment about some of the warm up. When you hear plenty of talk and laughs, whatever’s going on immediately grabs your attention. So it is with one of Ronnie Palmer’s popular “games”. Groups of three players link hands in a circle, with the aim of preventing a fourth player from tagging a nominated player in the circle. With Frank and Kaysa Pritchard in the same group, there were laughs aplenty as little brother did his best to get the better of his older sibling.
Our new head trainer certainly commands respect on the field and his eyes seem to pick up everything that’s going on. Rather than describe every running drill undertaken, I’ll highlight the defence line work.
In groups of four (or was it five?) the players moved in a line towards Ronnie who then stepped in a particular direction. The players had to shift as a line in that direction, turn and move back, all the while keeping their head turned to watch Palmer, before moving forward again as a line. Talk was essential during this drill. Any group that didn’t meet expectations copped the tip, just as groups who excelled were praised. Palmer spoke similarly to players during the interval running.
BA’s Watchful Eye
After the squad split into three groups – backs, forwards, additional conditioning (?), Brad Arthur moved around observing the players. He watched the work from different angles and spoke with certain players and staff. With a range of skills being drilled, it was essential for the head coach to adopt an overseer role.
Siosaia Vave On Track
This bloke is looking fitter with every passing week. I watched him complete additional conditioning with a couple of backs. Impressively, the big fella put a bit of space between himself and the others and ran at an unrelenting pace over a distance of about one kilometre. After a five minute break, he repeated the effort. Great stuff!
Could Vave be an X-factor this year? He’s certainly getting into shape.
The Forwards
The big blokes ran through a variety of passing interchanges – before the line, at the line, running unders and overs. The impressive ball skills of the Eels forwards would surprise many fans. One player to consistently catch my eye is Nathan Brown. Our new middle forward reminds me of a young Anthony Watmough, and could potentially be the best signing of 2017. He has a similar body type to Choc, though his ball skills probably provide a point of difference. Another acquisition to shine during the skills session is Suaia Matagi. He runs good lines and has great hands. I’m locking him into a starting prop position.
The Backs
Kicking – delivering and fielding was the focus today. Kicking to partners, fielding high balls, picking up and grounding grubbers – all of these aspects were covered. Last year we witnessed outside backs like French and Takairangi successfully employ short attacking kicks to put on four-pointers. As I reported yesterday, these plays aren’t completed under flukish circumstances. They are practised at training so that any opportunity can be taken.
The backs finished their session with a kicking game and just after they concluded, the forwards finished off with the same fun. Hard work and a laugh. It’s a healthy mix!
I’m aiming to catch the action again tomorrow.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Good to hear about Vave. I was tentative about him at first due to his weight but it is good to hear that he’s trimming down.
He will be in superb shape when he takes the field this year.
Vave plays really well with the ball in hand before the line. His size holds up the defence beautifully – definitely an asset to the Eels forward pack!
Yeah very happy to hear about Vave also.Remember the first training run when he was on the bike and doing laps man I said holy Moses this bloke will take some time to get himself into condition, thanks for the work your doing Sixties.
You’ll be very impressed Joe.
Mate if I have time on my side next week I will join you for training and stand there and watch.
Cheers.
What are you expecting our forward pack to look like? We have a lot of options, so a few good players will be missing out.
This is what I had:
8. Mannah
10. Matagi
11. Ma’u
12. Moeroa
13. Scott
15. Brown
16. Pritchard
17. Edwards
Pretty close to the mark.
Mamojo, I think you’re close to nailing it. The only decision remains dummy half and 4th bench player.
You think we’ll use 2 hookers? Kaysa is well suited to the bench role, just comes down to IDG and King to start.
Being named in the leadership group today indicates IDG is probably the front runner.
My initial thought is four forwards, with Frank Pritchard.
Nailed it Mammojo
Btw, I forgot to say, thanks for all these training reports. Absolutely love them.
Most interesting point I took out of today’s report is Nathan Brown.
A lot of people view him as a one-dimensional barge it up type player. Comparing him to a young Watmough is exciting news. Sounds like a mobile player with some ball skills.
Maybe in a year or twos time Brown could be well suited to the lock forward role…
He is a lock, not a prop. You’d be surprised at his build. Very similar to Choc’s.
Might be worth reminding that you have three middle forwards (plus hooker). There’s no reason two of them have to be props. Having one prop and two ‘locks’ in the middle offers more versatility and better defence.
I think a bench of one prop and three back rowers – with at least one of these a middle forward, could be the go. Perhaps, depending on the opposition, a second dummy half might be used.
Hi Sixties Love the reports, well done. Haven’t heard much about Alvaro. Where do you see him?
Thanks Kevin. I’m a huge wrap for Danny but he’s just sitting on that fringe. The thing with Alvaro is that he’ll never let you down. At training he’s an absolute professional and his attitude is highly regarded. For that alone, he stays in the mix. He is still seen as a long term asset.
I saw another comment below, i too would wonder what you are thinking around the forwards for this year due to your involvement in the training sessions. Minus (9.) Degois (10.) Mannah (11.) Mau (12.) Moeroa (13.) Scott and (14.) Kaysa who are all definates for me, Who do you think gets the 8, 15, 16 and 17 positions.
I Would say Peni and Gower won’t make it. Peni’s powerful running is replaced with Matagi in which Matagi also has a lot better ball skills, experience etc. Gower just doesn’t have the impact that the other players can bring and with all our forwards being able to use the ball i don’t think his ball playing is vital. Im really tossed up on Alvaro. As like Bevan, maybe even more so than Bevan, he is really ready for the NRL as seen from last year and can play large minutes i remember one game last year he stuck it out for 60+ minutes but i think due to the other experienced players he will have to bide his time for one more season playing for Wenty which is unfortunate.
I think Matagi and F Pritchard are certains (i think the leadership role given to frank confirms his spot in the team). But really unsure who gets the 2 remaining spots out of Edwards, Vave and Brown. I was sort of leaning towards Vave and Brown but surely Kenny gets a spot? You forget that prior to last year he didn’t play a single game due to his injury so in terms of him continuing his form from his comeback year last year it seems that he can really become a real talented player. Hopefully you agree with my assumptions and can give me your thoughts on the last 2 spots between the 3 players above in reference to the training sessions you have watched. Thanks Mate!
Love all the write-ups too btw mate, keep it up cheers.
Mate, thanks for your detailed comment. To be honest, it’s embarrassing to leave players out. The great advantage of our forwards, is the range of body types that we can throw at the opposition. Gowie is a great bloke and a talented footballer, and similar to my comment about Alvaro, he’ll sit just outside the top squad. I can only predict what BA will do. I don’t pretend to know. However I see the round 1 pack as:
Mannah, IDG, Matagi, Ma’u, Scott, Moeroa.
The bench will have Edwards, Brown, Frank Pritchard and Terepo.
When fit, Vave will definitely come in for consideration.
I reckon that King will be the likely successor to IDG and Kaysa Pritchard may be used off the bench for particular matches.
Now consider the players I couldn’t find a spot for. It’s embarrassing to not list them, but BA will face that dilemma on a weekly basis.
Ye far out haha, imagine if we had wicks left too HAHAH. The depth is great though.
Just inspirational 60s. I had formed the opinion that Brown would probably be one of our starting middle forwards but from what u have been reporting, I’m wondering if BA might be tempted to start him on the edge with Mau & slot Tepai onto the bench.
Thanks Michael. I think he’ll play a middle forward (lock) role.
You bloody ripper! Loving this and thanks sixties.
This maybe a tad premature but are there any noticeable combos developing, either backs or forwards which you may not have expected?
I like the way that all of the forwards are combining. French is just starting to click with his backline combos. Either Geoff or David noticed a particular combination the other day. I’ll let them add it here.
Loving these updates and insights. .
I’ve always been impressed by your (that’s the whole TCT team) knowledge and ability to recall all the events from training and games. It’s great reading.
Thanks mate. It’s annoying for a certain someone that I can recall footy details but forget other things. She knew what she was getting into!
I didn’t realise you’d met my wife sixties?
Ha!!!!
Thanks for the reports guys! They are a great read and insight into the training the boys undertake!
I’m in Sydney for the next week and was wondering how I find out where and when the boys train as I would love to go for a look!
Hi Matt. Send me a reminder through Twitter. I generally get a heads up a day in advance, though it can be changed (it was today). The worst day is usually Wednesday.
Cheers mate. Don’t have twitter so is there another way I can contact you?
Excellent report Sixtiesboy, thank you for being there for those of us (fans) who can’t make.
I’m privileged to do that Rowdy. Hope to catch up with you again in the near future.
Thoroughly enjoying these write ups and comments , so thx.
BTW is hasson training and if so what’s your take.
Hasson has been in the rehab group in recent weeks.
OK thx, at one point manly thought more highly of him than lussick , so I still hold out some hope for him to play nrl at our club , I was happy to hear that it was the cap that prevented us from using him last year in the nrl and not poor form.
Sixties wats ur take on big rory obrien , I was hoping his size and two off seasons under Brad would have him ready to cause damage ? Keep up the good work , this site is a beauty.