I’m not going to mince words. That was a mongrel of a session to watch. Even with an early start, the heat had me close to pulling up stumps and heading off for a morning sherbet. Still, the effort from the squad in the conditions deserved a report. Here’s how I saw it (through the haze).
Only Human
I try to report on what I witness (within reason) and readers of my training posts would recognise that 99% of it is positive. In contrast, I’ll go on record and say that today the squad was a bit scrappy in its execution. Too many dropped balls would have left the players and coaches displeased, and for mine, there were a few shots fired that just didn’t come off.
Time to hydrate, just like Robbo!
Does this concern me? Not one bit. The conditions would have sapped the energy of even the fittest athlete, and with the players returning from a long weekend, I would have expected errors. The opposed session was as physical as ever, and there was no discernible drop in intensity. Is it acceptable? I reckon there would have been a bit said by the coaches. However, if you think that everything is always executed perfectly, you’d be greatly mistaken. They are only human.
Bring On The Auckland 9s!
The players split into two groups for the first part of the session – the 9s and the rest. Both played some grab/tag type footy. Tim Mannah was again digging into his bag of tricks on one field: the dummy and dart (for a try!) and the spiral cut out were on display. Even Taka’s warnings couldn’t stop the big fella.
On the other field, the Normz, Gutho and French show was in full rehearsal mode. I continue to be impressed with Gutho’s game sense and Normz is just made for this format. It will be interesting to watch how French is unleashed this year. The rugby league world was put on notice at last year’s event when he carved up from the wing. Will he get greater or fewer opportunities from fullback?
Semi crosses after a precision French kick
Todays preparation was a mixture of impromptu play in addition to rehearsing some set pieces. You’d have to think that preparing for Auckland necessitates plenty of off the cuff footy, but we took on the tournament last year with a genuine game plan. The result vindicated that plan.
Who Was That?
After the 9s practice, the squad came back together for a full opposed session. I’ve already reported that it was a scrappy affair in parts, but there were some highlights easily recalled due to my exclamation – “Who was that?!?”
Honeti Tuha executed a scintillating tip-on for the green team that came close to producing a try. This bloke could be a real surprise packet in Auckland. Another to impress was Dane Aukafolau who cut back from the wing on a play that showed off his step, footwork and acceleration.
It’s competitive on the field at Saleyards!
The big positive was the involvement of Bevan French. He just seemed to pop up everywhere. Obviously fans will need to reel back some unrealistic expectations this year. Bev is just 13 games into his NRL career and will be making a significant positional change. Still, I continue to be impressed by his confidence and composure at training. How he’s utilised at the Auckland event this year will make for compelling viewing.
Author’s Note
I will continue to provide these pre-season reports until the competition kicks off. From that point I will revert to a weekly summary. With the Auckland 9s on this weekend, and the NT trial the weekend after, it almost seems as if the pre-season is over now. Undoubtedly, the training will be harder to catch as a chunk of the squad will leave Sydney for both of those events. Nonetheless, I will attempt to update fellow supporters about the team’s preparations.
Finally, a shout out to TCT reader, Sam, who made his way to training today. I’m sorry that you missed the blokes at work Sam, but it was nice to meet you and I appreciated your kind words.
Eels Forever!
Sixties
Images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels and the NRL
Mate
I appreciate this report, and the effort shown in attending. I gather this was probably the one session so far that had the most errors.?
The coaches would not be happy I Imagine but considering the heat etc. they have things to work on.
Is Vave back to full work? and J Folau?
Thank you for toughing out the conditions and bringing us an eyewitness account! 🙂
Much appreciated. I look forward to these reports and check the site daily (or more) for updates.
Thanks Rob. Glad to have you on board.
5 days, 5 days…
Thanks again for the honest report sixties. This site has now left ‘other’ sites behind imo. It is so good to be kept up to date with what the eels players and staff are up to, strategies for training etc. I wish I could attend a training session and one day I will, but just going off photos this off season, players are looking more fit or ‘cut’ than in previous years. Do you believe it is a dietary thing or Ronnie Palmer!? Maybe a bit of both?
I, like Mitchy would also like to know the progress with Vave’s rehabilitation.
Thanks again.
Mitchy and Grunta, I was only commenting to Geoff as we watched them train that Vave looks fighting fit and ready for footy. I think there’s been a change to the diet and I’ll try to get some details. I agree that they look fitter. All of their kilometres run are tracked by a sports scientist who attends every day. Ronnie has really made them footy fit.
Thanks for the follow up Sixties. I guess with the shrewd purchases made we are keen to know. Vave will be good for us in the pack; particularly in the middle of winter on those cold / wet nights getting the metres up the middle with Timmy and Matagi and co.
Our best purchase could well prove to be R Palmer….
No mistake, Ronnie has added another dimension of toughness to the training. He’s a superb trainer and knows how to communicate with footballers. To get his level of experience was a coup. However, the program and its goals are pretty much mapped out by BA. It’s a culture and attitude to training that he’s instilled throughout the footy operation.
60’s do you know what time they are training tomorrow morning?. I’d like to try and get down to the saleyards
Don’t have any specific time yet mate. I’m not connected with the club and go off a tip or the previous week’s schedule. This week is likely to be different to previous Tuesdays due to the 9s. I’m aiming for an early session tomorrow, similar to today, and will probably head down between 8:30 and 9:00. Sorry, but I can’t guarantee that they will actually train then. I have dropped in down there at certain times in the past and been greeted by empty fields.
So, was it empty fields that greeted you sixties? With this heat it probably should have been more gym etc!
No Grunta. Met JJ yesterday. If you follow our Twitter feed (which is where we give some quick updates) you’ll see that the 9s boys had the day off, so it was a limited squad. I didn’t worry about a report on the skills session as only about a dozen or so blokes were on the field.
Yes sorry mate, I’m like a headless budgie me, I don’t tweet.