It was an early start at Saleyards today and those of us lucky enough to attend were treated to the return of Manu Ma’u to the training field. Manu has enjoyed some well deserved time off after the Four Nations tournament and his recent wedding. Our current Ken Thornett medallist was straight into the thick of the action with some searching conditioning work, followed by a very physical opposed session. He didn’t disappoint!
Hot Potato Hot Potato
After the squad completed their conditioning and skills work, they were split into four teams of 9 for simultaneous games of (half field) two-handed touch. This was incredibly entertaining to watch and it had to be exhausting for the players. The ball movement was relentless.
With no breaks, the play would re-start immediately after a score. The highlight of the games was the ball work from our two props, Mannah and Matagi. Mannah provided his best impression of a half trapped in a forwards body with a superb lofted spiral pass from centre field to the wing. Moments afterwards Matagi delivered an incredible catch and flick to lay on a try. Impressive stuff!
TI’m Mannah – a half back in a previous life?
Although this game would suit the Eels’ preparation for the Auckland 9s, I doubt that we were watching a selected team in action. With four teams in play across both ends of the field, it was near impossible to keep track of all players. However, should he play, Norman again emphasised that he is difficult to contain in a reduced players format.
The Guth Bus
The opposed session highlighted Clint Gutherson’s value to the team. Today, it was his support play which shone as he pushed up through the centre in support of breaks out wide and crossed for tries. He also assumed the goal-kicking duties in a huge all-round effort.
In what was hopefully an indicator of what lies ahead, the explosive pace of French, Jennings and Radradra was extremely difficult for the “green team” to contain. This was probably the most dominant “blue team” performance of the pre-season.
Yet it was not just the pace of the outside backs that was causing havoc in this full field, full contact hit out. Both Manu Ma’u and Peni Terepo broke into open space through powerful charges on the edge of the ruck. It certainly didn’t take long for Ma’u to stamp his presence. Following a try from a skilful Gutherson offload as he took a hit close to the line, full time was blown on a positive start to this week’s training.
Manu immediately stamped his presence on the opposed session.
Author’s Note
I remain convinced about two aspects of Parramatta’s training. Firstly, the contact work is heavier than any that I have witnessed in the past. It’s naturally not as hard as match day, but you can hear the impact off the field and the defence has to match the powerful charges around the rucks. Furthermore, the ball movement has also gone up a notch. Whether this will prove to be a feature of our play this year remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the skills on display must be giving the players great confidence.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Nice to read mate. Good to hear Manu is back. Did you notice the fog today? And Hoffman?
Thanks for the reminder mate. The Fog played for the green team and was very busy in attack.
Thanks for that mate. I just hope he has a good year with us, in Wenty etc.
Hoffman is a good buy and could prove to be very useful..can play fullback, centre and wing.
Hoffman has already been displaying his versatility at training, covering that range of positions.
In your TCT opinion will Guth be our first grade kicker?
At this stage, I believe he will.
Do we have anyone else? I know Semi took that one kick last year but I don’t think he was in the picture for being the full time kicker. Which is a worry because having a strong kicker can make all the difference in those tight games.
Norman would probably be next in line.
Most enjoyable read this pre season sixties. I’ve really missed your training comments on 1ee.
I must remind myself to visit this site more often.
Signed – Chief.
Thanks.
Thanks Chief. You don’t have to travel far to visit TCT. We’ve had plenty of Eels reading this pre-season. Tell your mates.
Way I read this article is that time for people to lay off a particular player who seemed to score a bit today.
I do feel that he will do more than ok this coming year as he works in with his partner to be in on field crime.
Chears and great stuff.
We’ve talked Gutho up a bit and the reality is, with him playing in the spine, he’ll get plenty of touches. Based on what I see, he won’t let us down.
Sixties. I believe that Gutho will really settle into that position exceptionally well. He will have some slips at times especially as he’s likely going to be targetted by more experienced opposition players but I think his footwork may surprise many. I also like the aspect that he is doing goal kicks.
Explosive pace of which Jennings, may I ask?
All three Rob. The left side looked superb today.
Also, on the topic of pace, how is Gutherson’s this year? Has he improved?
Did he need to improve it? If he was a winger, perhaps. He’s got good speed for his role. High cruise speed allows him to loom up in support of long breaks.
Another good read mate. (To be honest, a brilliant read!). Looks like BA is leaving no stone unturned. Will be special to see Norman and Gutho as a pairing this year.
Thanks mate. Too kind. Yes, plenty of work being done – bear in mind, we’re only viewing the field sessions.
I already know that Gutho will shine but the only thing i’m unsure of is his kicking game (not goal kicking). We really need to him to step up in that area to take some pressure of Normy. Has he been doing a lot of general play kicking practice, and if so how is he looking?
Cheers
V important part of the game Aden. Hope C Guth has worked hard on this as I’m sure he has….
Absolutely. All of the players who might kick do plenty of practice. One thing you know about Gutho is that he’s dedicated to improving his game – all aspects.
Another great read mate . As always spot on. Anyone emerging from the pack as a dark horse for a place in 17? Every side is usually has one left field.
Anyone catching your eye Mate ?
I’m going to restrict my comments to blokes who didn’t play NRL with us last year and I’m not going to comment on the dummy halves as its obvious that each one is getting the opportunity with the blue team. I’ll also ignore players that I’ve previously locked in as certainties. In the forwards, Kelepi Tanginoa has just been full throttle in his conditioning work and his opposed work. Cracking a spot in the pack would be a tough ask but he’s doing everything he can to catch the coaches’ eyes. Likewise Marata Niukore who has the added advantage of the versatility to play centre.
Of the backs, Dane Aukafolau has looked good for a rookie and Scott Schulte seems to be finding his feet in his second year with the club. Kirisome Auva’a is an experienced first grader and its odds on to me that he’ll play first grade. Fogarty might not get a shot at NRL but he certainly is professional in his training.
C Guth from all reports seems a dedicated and hard working player.
By the way, is the real Paul Squiz Taylor..? Now he was one tough player…..still recall that League Week shot of him when he made 50 tackles in the mud I think….SCG game I recall.
I think it was Cumberland Mitchy.
Probably was Anon. My memory may be fading….but the image doesn’t.
Have you been to watch any other teams training as that is always a great gauge upon our efforts. Was Kelepi Tanginoa going hard
To be honest, this time of year is almost full- time in the hours that I spend watching the Eels train and reporting for TCT. I’m not going to add another team that I don’t support to the agenda. However, in the past I’ve managed to catch Manly train at Narrabeen and I’ve spoken to players and staff who come from other clubs.
Every club wants their players fit at this time of year. The difference appears to come from the mix of skills with conditioning, what type of skills and conditioning is done as well as how the squad buys in. Furthermore, in Parra’s case, every year is different to the year before. Logically, it must be – and BA insists on improvement, from himself, his staff and the squad.
The feedback that I’ve had from the boys, without giving any confidences away, has been very specific and hasn’t been rhetoric. It’s a very happy camp with players busting their backsides – competitive and yet very supportive of each other.
Yet another excellent report Sixties. Even in this hot weather that gave me goosebumps.
Thanks mate.
What I have been most disappointed with in the past has been the lack of offloads by our forwards. BA has fixed that by bringing in noted offloaders. From what I have read this skill has been drilled into our forwards this year which will only help the younger brigade for the future.
Well noted Glenn.
Can I add that probably the best try scored in 2016 by the eels was the one where Taka kicked infield to Bevan french to score. That movement was started by a late off load from Mannah carting the ball up. Not a noted nor prolific offloader but Mannah has shown at times that he has it in his game.
Spot on John. I recall seeing that live at the ground and noted the backing up of Edwards I think too along with Mannah. It was a superb try….
Mitchy, it was my favourite try of the year!
It was the quality of the pass that was most memorable. As I recall, he had to wrestle with two or three defenders, turned his upper body to the right ever so slightly, held the ball up, and then tipped it off to a support player he never once made eye contact with. Marvellous stuff!
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PppppTheree e was something retro about the whole seque
I truly hate mobile phones!
I think it went Mannah, Gutherson, Edwards, Taka and French. Every element of the try had quality written all over it.
Exciting stuff to watch.
The try was even noted and praised on an American sports social media site.
I have been discussing this with David and Geoff and Mannah did display such ball skills in his junior rep days. He doesn’t lack it at training.
Sixties, I think that the last couple of seasons Mannah has held back on his ball skills basically I think because the players around him were not alert enough, also they played more off his quick play the ball as well. Lets also not forget that he had shoulder issues for the last couple of years as well, and his play was much more safety first.
The other aspect as well I think was that BA did not want him overplaying his hands and was concentrating on defence especially after Foran left. By years end there was nothing to lose and therefore more adventurous plays became a bit more common in attack, I believe a forerunner to plans to be be offensive this year.
Colin, no doubt Mannah has been one of the best metre eaters in the premiership and his ability to get the quick play the ball helped the team to get across the advantage line. But with the pack getting stronger (though still underrated and I don’t mind that!) there are more opportunities to utilise the skills of the players.
Just thought I would add a bit. Having attended many sessions with sixties I concur with all he has said and the outstanding way he has said it! In addition to this I would like to stress what a fabulous bunch of blokes we have representing the Eels this year. In terms of football, I cannot stress how impressive Clint Gutherson has been. To me, his passing game has been a revelation and every bit as impressive as Corey Norman in the training context. I think we will all be delighted with Nathan Brown. In terms of a point of difference…outstanding. I also think we will grow to love our pack even more as they are growing as a unit that will threaten every team. Finally, I am not (just) viewing these sessions with rose coloured glasses as I can see real development since last year. Further to this I went back and looked at some old training videos that were posted in 2013. We were muppets!! I have never seen this current team look that ……. average. As long as we remain realistic we can look forward to continued growth and success. Of this I have no doubt!
Walpy, I certainly have to echo your comments about the quality of blokes representing the club. Great vibe around the team too.
Walpy, thanks for the additional comments and much appreciated.
The aspect in regards to Gutho is very pleasing and if, he shows the same form in matches, which I have no reason to believe he will not only produce the same but also improve as he gets used to the position to have to order a lot of eggs to provide for many of the eels fans this year.
Again, with what you say in regard to Norms, the pair of them could readily switch and make things difficult for the opposition. Brown will more make up for the loss of Danny Wicks, and likely be more versatile, that’s not putting down Danny in any way either. Brown adds aggression that is needed and different to what Ma’u and Scott provides, means a formidable pack is being put together.
You are also correct that we should remain realistic as to the year, be positive as well as.
Colin there has been a lot of criticism on social media of the Guth Bus. Some of it I understand, most I don’t, here is a kid on the launching pad of an NRL career. He has played something like 30 NRL games in his career and only six (approximately) in the halves. The criticism I have read from some supporters is very unreasonable.
To this end I went back to watch his last 2 games for 2016 against St George and the Warriors. In both these games he was good. In fact in the Warriors game he was outstanding. Therefore when he succeeds this year as a half it will not be a surprise but a realisation of the promise he has shown as a junior and the good work by a great coach and coaching staff at the Eels.
The only thing that would surprise me is if he does not go on to become a great half.
John, as I said, I believe Gutho will put a lot of egg on a lot of faces this season.
Given the way he developed across the paddock last season after the shockers in the 5 shirt, he showed everyone of his critics up. Me included as when he played on the wing, I thought oh no! another one that has no idea about wing play and staying put. Too many of our wingers in the past especially the right hand side had that problem. What it showed in spades he was no winger and once moved from there his real abilities started to show and continued through the season
I have constantly said in regard to those wanting to chase another half, that we do not need to make a rush decision as I believe that Gutho and Norms will gell really well and form a very strong half combo this year. I don’t expect they will have a season though that has no down games or the like, but pro players doing their best and the eels benefiting across the paddock.
It’s an important point Colin. As a pairing, Gutho and Norman are new and will be finding their feet to an extent this year. We should feel positive and yet realistic.
That word all be a good testament to BA and his coaching team Walpy and Sixties. No doubt they plan things very tight and watch areas that we can look to improve on.
I’ve often thought our teams have been small in size and lack the physical size and prowess of others. That seems to be addressed along with the offloads.
Mitchy, we will be throwing a range of sizes at the opposition this year.
Great read sixtiesboy. I visit the sight every day and enjoy reading your segments and catch up with what our beloved eels are up to at training. I also visit 1eyedeel and enjoy the banter but mostly to hear what is happening with the eels.
Hi Shane, the two sites are very different. However we are all Eels fans and I hope you enjoy whichever site you visit. I’ll be posting my next report on Thursday.
Thanks as always sixties. Loving these reports..
Just a quick question. From the training that you have watched this pre season, any clue as to what side Jennings, Semi and Taka will play?
Like probably most eels fans feel, it would be nice to see the Taka / Semi combo reformed.
Great to read that the forwards are offloading the ball a bit more. A lack of offloads has stifled our attack at times in the past and all forwards in today’s game must at least have the ability to offload. Looking forward to seeing some more at crucial times on the field!
I wouldn’t stress about the Jenko/Semi combination. Plenty of other factors were at play last year which impacted the partnership. Jennings didn’t get a full pre-season, Semi had his well publicised issues, the halves were changed. Could they have done better? Yes, definitely. But Jennings has looked very good at training. Very good indeed.
By the way, my next report will likely be up on Thursday arvo.