Toughest pre-season ever? Every league fan is used to that hackneyed phrase. The reality is that every NRL coach would be looking for their season preparations to be a step up on the year before. A more accurate terminology would be “best pre-season ever.”
So how do clubs achieve this goal? For the Eels, it’s been about developing combinations, skills and a mental and physical toughness that can withstand challenges posed during matches and during a long season. It’s about turning up the heat on the players to set the standard for what they need to deliver.
I’ve had the good fortune of witnessing the consolidation of Brad Arthur’s vision for what Parramatta football will be. Today was a prime example.
Play It Tough
Rugby league is a physically demanding sport. Forget all of the talk about the fitness of football (soccer) and AFL players. Of course they are well conditioned. It’s absolutely true that they run many kilometres during matches. However, throw tackle collisions into the contest. Add the demands of getting up off the ground in both attack and defence to run some more, and for mine the rugby league footballer faces greater demands on his condition than the players from any other team sport.
These Eels players are coached to be able to play under fatigue. It’s logical. NRL players play fresh for those first 5 minutes on the field, after that, the challenge is on. Today, as it has been on every other day, the players were worked to exhaustion by Ronnie Palmer. The method varies but the result is the same. The squad have their legs and lungs put to the test, then they are asked to play some footy. Proving that you’re tough enough to handle it is a daily demand.
Attack With The Footy, Attack Against It
Josh Hoffman was quoted on the weekend about the attitude of the team. He said it is their intention to be intimidating in defence. This equates to attacking against the football. People who have referred to Brad Arthur as a defence focussed coach are probably missing half of the picture. For mine he is an aggressive coach. “Parramatta footy” will mean being aggressive with and without the football.
So how do you prepare for this at training? I don’t get to watch the work in the wrestling room, but based on the field training, it’s meant lots of impact in opposed sessions and plenty of questions asked in attack. I’ve mentioned this before, but I can hear the collisions delivered by team mate on team mate. Today was no different. Occasionally a player might surrender in the tackle. However, the forwards are regularly running lines one or two passes off the ruck at full tilt. If those players aren’t met with solid contact, the defender is left looking ordinary should the attacker break the line. Therefore, we have the aforementioned collisions.
Brace for impact!
Today’s Highlights – Pick Me!
In a repeat of last Friday’s session, the forwards alternated between the blue and the green teams for the opposed work. Combinations are being assessed and players are being challenged by pitting likely first team players against each other. The NRL referees again controlled proceedings.
The likely starting props, Matagi and Mannah, are going to make serious metres up the middle this year. Tim’s added a couple of strings to his bow for this season and has genuinely had the best pre-season that I’ve witnessed from him. Matagi could prove to be one of the most astute purchases made by the club in recent years. I’m not sure why the Panthers let him go. Both of these blokes impressed with their carries this morning.
Kenny Edwards is in superb condition and gives these hit outs his unique blend of toughness and flair. Some of his runs today were literally ferocious. I didn’t envy the defenders!
“Greased Lightning!”???
I’m still no closer to knowing who BA will pick for the dummy half role. Cam King looked good today, but both Pritchard and IDG have also impressed during their opportunities. For mine, BA could just go with four bench forwards this year, so the pressure for this spot is really on.
Scott Schulte continues to be given the opportunity on the wing in the blue team when any of the backs don’t participate. He’s been a revelation for mine. I saw a bit of his footy for Wenty last year, as well as his work at training, and there has been exponential improvement, particularly in his aggression and defensive decisions. Look for him to get a shot this year.
Schulte streaks away for a try.
Marata Niukore and Kelepi Tanginoa were also impressive. Niukore was a popular choice for an Auckland 9s choice with TCT writers – I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes the journey home across the ditch for this tournament. I reckon the players feel every one of his hits. Kelepi catches our eye at most sessions. There are no half measures with him. Everything is done at full speed, defence and attack. Players like this keep our first choice forwards on their toes. They almost demand to be selected.
I also need to mention a real heads-up fullback play from French. Auva’a was put into open spaces with wing support. With only French in front of him, a try seemed likely. Instead, our custodian managed to shepherd the centre towards the sideline, reducing the space for the winger. By the time the pass was delivered, French was able to tackle both attackers and shut the play down. He’s learning quickly!
Finally, at the risk of repeating myself, Nathan Brown. Remember that name.
Author’s Note
I’m expecting the Auckland 9s squad to be announced shortly. I reckon you can anticipate a strong group to represent the Eels and again do some damage.
John Folau – looking good mate!
TCT would also like to extend our best wishes to John Folau who gets his cast removed today. John’s just become a father to his second child (he now has a boy and a girl) and is no doubt experiencing some sleepless nights. John’s in the best shape of his career and ready to get stuck into the contact work. Well done and good luck mate.
It’s on again tomorrow.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels
Can’t wait to see how we shape up in some games, I am sure all this work will pay off! Agreed about Timmy too, from the photos he looks to be in the best shape I’ve ever seen him
Gem, check out Johnny Folau!
Awesome write up!
Sixties, do you think that Schulte could do a Gutho and improve so quickly and so dramatically?
From what I’m reading, he sounds as though he is almost demanding a shot?
Another question sorry, are you beginning to see any really good combinations developing? Any edge forwards hitting holes off the halves etc?
Thanks again for the update.
Scotty is certainly making sure that if a spot on the wing becomes available he will be in the mix
I have been especially impressed with his defence which earned him a length of the field try today at training
seems to have settled into the club and matured after shifting states last year
Parrathruandthru has answered the Schulte question as I would Grunta. He’s there every day too so you can trust his call. As for combinations, I’m going to say definitely, but give no details. Why? I don’t intend giving a heads up to opponents, especially early season ones, about what to look out for.
Ha.
All good mate. Makes the season kick off even more enticing.
I know Scott Schulte was highly thought of by David Furner when he was at the Cowboys, but he was down in the pecking order behind some special wingers at that Club.
I am pleased he is performing well at training. The Club SEEMS to have plenty of depth..
Depth is impressive Pete. Happy New Year mate.
Man, this is appetising stuff. March is too far away and the Nines is such a short competition… Parra forever!!
I understand your feelings mate. I get about 4 days a week of watching training. The players are primed to play. I’m primed for the comp to start!
Great read Sixties and nice new website. Could you explain why you’re so confident in Matagi being a starting prop? Does he have a dominating presence on the field? Is it his power? Or is he a superb trainer similar to Mannah?
All of the above and has some nice soft hand with the ball
Thanks Jetta. Parrathruandthru has pretty much answered your question. Like Parrathruandthru said, I am also impressed with his ball work. He’ll bend the line and back it up with ball work before and at the line.
Kenny finished the opposed session in grand style,7 seconds on th clock and kenny got a cramp , whod have thought !
Classic!
When I picked my 18 for the 9’s on the other site, I hovered over Schultes name for a while, but ended up for some unknown reason picking Smith instead, with what you have said about Schulte I think I have fluffed my choices, and likely picked a few too many forwards.
Everything I am reading regarding the training has me very much looking ahead with more anticipation each week, can’t come soon enough/.
Colin smith is injured no chance
Thanks, will amend the list.
Yes, Smith won’t be available for selection early on, but his inclusion in our roster adds quality depth. I’m tipping he’ll see some first grade.
I’ve said it on 1eyed a few times, no matter the 12 in our top 25 we send we are still gunna be a force to be reckoned with considering our talent and depth outside the 25
There will be quality players on the bench for Wenty!
Nice read. Superb description Sixties. BAND 8 recount mate….
It’s late January and think we are all starting to salivate….
I just cannot till the trials. Nines are ok, but the trials etc are what I’m hanging for….and no injuries please.
I’ve been attending after school tutoring. Has it reaped the rewards? It’s a long hot summer this year Mitchy. Not long till those trials. TCT will be at Penrith again this year.
Ha yes after hours tutoring has served v well …..at the local. …? 👍🏻 sounds good mate. Trials are always good and I wish fox televised some..
👍😀 Effort has its rewards!
Great report again Sixties. It’s funny how more than a few of the boys who’ve been at the club with mixed commitment levels over the years have gone to another level in their body shape and fitness.
It is also very encouraging to see players we’ve become accustomed to giving their all at our club raising the bar on themselves as they are surrounded by new recruits with enthusiasm to match their own aspirations as they see that 25 into 17 has only one common denominator and it’s not a prime number it’s a word………..desperation. Love it, Go Parra!
Improvement is the base expectation now Rowdy. If it isn’t an individual player’s goal, if they are happy to stagnate, I think they’d be marking their own papers.
Haven’t heard much about Vave. The little bit I saw of him at Manly impressed me, big, mobile, good skills and not bad in defence. He is one of the few big bodies we have at prop.How has he looked at training and is he fit?
That’s because he hasn’t been doing contact work yet. Coming back from a shoulder issue, but is looking much fitter than his Manly days.
Hi Sixties
I’ve looked for a report on Alvaro.
Thanks