The Auckland Nines takes centre stage this weekend and the Eels have dispatched an almighty squad to defend their title. With this multi-million dollar line up winging its way across the ditch, a group of just over 20 players was left to hold the fort at Eels headquarters. But make no mistake, there was still some highly prized cattle to be found on the Saleyards fields this morning. With Joey Grima and Ronnie Palmer holding the reins, the time would be put to good use.

Conditioning Will Reap Rewards

In my conversations with Joey and Ronnie yesterday, I was asked how I thought the players looked. My reply was to the point – “I’ve never seen them look fitter”. Case in point, our recruit from Manly, Siosaia Vave. In less than three months under Arthur’s care, this bloke has already been transformed. I can’t wait to watch him unleashed in blue and gold.

These blokes are across the ditch, but there’s still plenty going on at Saleyards!

Having watched BA guide Parramatta’s preparations through four pre-seasons, I have witnessed the evolution of an elite coach. With fitness paramount in his vision of our squad, each year has built upon the previous. To that end, the acquisition of Palmer to deliver the footy fitness that BA sought for 2017 will deliver a team ready to sustain effort on effort in the NRL arenas.

With almost half the squad in the “shaky isles”, there was no respite for Mannah, Taka et al. The up/down conditioning was delivered in healthy doses. Imagine taking yourself for a 5 kilometre run, but at every telegraph pole, you dropped to the ground, jumped up and continued on. That’s akin to what rugby league players are asked to do every week – so it’s what the Eels are doing in their preparations.

Upskill Funk

Skilled footballers – that’s what “Parra footy” will demand. Innovation in delivery is what the coaches must deliver. This morning, Joey Grima executed this through the following drills:

* throwing and catching – a mix of footballs and tennis balls off a trampoline type apparatus (great for hand/eye coordination)

* rapid fire group passing – multi-directional and introducing additional footballs and tennis balls

* short and long passing

* position specific passing (eg centres developing a particular type of offload)

* grid passing – on the run and cross directional building up in speed

Finally, the uptown funky walks were in abundance as the players improvised different carries of the footy, both one handed and two handed. It certainly seemed to be fun for the players. If only the typical Captains Run doof-doof was pumping out over the PA system!

Why improvise like this? Consider some of the amazing handling that you witness with the modern synthetic football. Highlight reels showcase players pulling in passes or kicks seemingly out of their reach or behind their body. Wingers can cross for tries with their bodies hovering over ground signage and their Inspector Gadget extender arms planting the ball millimetres inside the touch line. When controlling the football under atypical conditions becomes part of an NRL player’s skill set, you might just convert the slightest match winning opportunity.

Author’s Note

Once again I’d like to extend my thanks to the football department for welcoming my regular attendance, and my thanks to Joey for fielding a couple of my questions today.

It’s been a long pre-season for a team that went unrewarded for their efforts last year and effectively had their 2016 season determined by off-field issues. They’re really looking forward to gauging where they’re at in the upcoming Nines and trials. Having followed their efforts so closely during this pre-season, my nervous anticipation is palpable.

Eels forever!

Sixties

Photos courtesy of the Parramatta Eels

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