This has been a challenging report to compile. After reflecting on today’s session, I found it difficult to decide upon the focus of the report. Should I simply report on what I saw or should I interpret what the squad worked on. It came down to the realisation that this would be the final pre-season training post. When the team take to the fields at Saleyards next week, they will have one goal – preparing to defeat the Sea Eagles. With that in mind, consider this a wrap up to an endless summer.
Your Daily Dose
The early start to the field session was probably welcomed by the players. However, with nearly two hours of skills and conditioning ahead of them, it would prove to be plenty warm anyway.
After warm ups and stretches, the session began with some agility drills under the guidance of Ronnie Palmer. A variety of stepping in the “ladders” showcased the light stepping of the backs and a few surprises from the forwards. A short slalom run and sprint brought out the competitive streak in the squad as pairs of players were pitted against each other. I’m sure I witnessed Jack Morrris give Bevan French a scare.
The Guth Bus hits the accelerator.
Some ball work followed with a 5 on 3 drill. Set inside a grid, it appeared as if the attacking team only received 2 tackles to score a try from a fielded kick. With a number advantage, the attacking team had to make best use of the limited space. It definitely promoted ball skills, support play and vision.
Cue “Bumper”. Wrestling coach, “Bumper” O’Farrell, took the squad through sets of sprawl and pummel. This involved the players rising from a flat position on the ground into their shoulder impacts. For anyone unfamiliar with this, think back to dressing room footage prior to matches where you witness pairs of footballers warming up with chest/shoulder collisions.
Further conditioning interjected before the squad split into blue and green teams. The green team took the ball first as the blues were challenged to about ten minutes of relentless defence. Another burst of conditioning was followed by a period of tackle pad hits before the roles in the relentless defence drill were swapped. The highlights included a sweet left to right pass from Gutho to a support player running a beautiful line and a big hit by Kelepi Tanginoa.
Relentless defence.
As the clock marched towards two hours, the rehab group moved off the western field and the eastern field moved into a range of extras. That was it! Pre-season done.
Reflections
Planning the pre-season would be an interesting process for NRL coaches. Consideration would be given to:
* the amount and type of conditioning
* weights and gym time
* wrestling
* diet and nutrition
* individual programs including rehab
* commencement of ball work
* development of combinations
* team bonding
* understanding roles
* learning plays
* time tabling breaks
* Auckland Nines and trials
Along the way each day and each week has to be structured.
BA instructs his charges.
Finally, the squad makes that final transition from pre-season into Premiership proper. This is where we are at right now.
I will speculate that Brad Arthur has tapered down a bit this week with less opposed work than usual, with a view to building the intensity in the days leading up to the Manly clash. There was still plenty of running today as this would promote blood circulation and therefore help with some of the soft tissue injuries after recent trials. However, after a long pre-season, we want the players as switched on as possible and this would be optimised via a week of opponent specific preparation.
So how have the Eels progressed?
During this pre-season we witnessed the Eels commence ball work from week 1. From my discussions with the players, this got a huge thumbs up. With opposed sessions taking place earlier than usual, the combinations have had extra time to gel. With a swag of new faces and players in new positions, this was an important call.
The addition of Ronnie Palmer complimented Brad Arthur’s goal of football conditioning. Plenty of up and down work prepared the players for the effort on effort of rugby league. Agility that relates to rugby league movement was developed. Defensive line runs and shifts, and plenty of talking along the way was on show every week. It was all about getting rugby league fit.
The skills coaching saw every player up-skilled in their ball play and decision making. Typical game situations such as handling the football in awkward situations, fielding kicks and the very basics of catching and passing continued to be developed. No skill was taken for granted and there were certainly some innovative methods employed. The guest coaching of Noddy Kimmorley in late 2016 was an example of Arthur’s goal of adding variety and different perspectives to his coaching.
The bonds within this team are strong.
Ultimately, the team bonds and commitment to work hard for each other, so crucial in defence, have been solidified. New recruits have spoken to me about how well everyone mixes. It may seem like lip-service to talk up the team spirit, but the evidence was already in place during a challenging 2016. It’s been there to see at every field session during this summer.
Author’s Note
I’ve enjoyed writing up this series of training reports. My aim has been to share information about the preparation undertaken by the team with fellow Eels supporters. It’s rarely been a lone process, with Parrathruandthru both attending on a regular basis and also providing feedback throughout November and December. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and spending time with many other Eels fans who’ve made the trip to Saleyards. I’d also like to thank Mitchy for his Central Coast report.
On a personal level, I’m grateful to Brad Arthur and the football department for making us welcome at training. I work on the basis of reporting responsibly and it’s important that my presence is trusted.
Ultimately, I hope that I’ve managed to make all readers a little more familiar with our Parramatta Eels.
Let the season begin!
Eels forever!
Sixties
Images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels
Wonderful report 60’s and now the real training starts. Bring it on.
I can remember days years back especially the ones that come to mind are the change years when big Norm Provan took over as coach and then followed by Terry Fearnly. I was a frequent watcher at Cumberland on those nights of training and heading down the street a bit for a couple of beers with usually around 10 or so of the first grade team. The harmony was enormous, pranks were there every night but not on the field.
It lead the eels into what would become the golden years one would guess, and an invite for my wife and I to a Barbie at Boofs home really showed how close those players were together. Now we look 40 years on and I sense the same thing has started again.
Thanks for all of the feedback and comments you’ve supplied Colin. Your opinions have fostered further responses to our posts and got many fans involved in discussions. Those nights at Cumberland would have been magical.
Mate, those days stick in the mind, many a night my late dad, who was very much part of the group who worked on getting the eels into the comp would come, he also would go down on some nights for a beer with the boys, while not football related but shows what some did, Norm Provan as coach owned a large electronics store, and it was the year that colour tv started, talking to him one night he said to ring xxx at his shop and would get a special deal. Paid him basically cost price and a Pye 21″ console tv arrived around 2 months before full colour transmission started, although there was limited colour test transmissions at the time. We were popular in the street. Norm was a gentleman but ran a tight ship and like BA today had the respect of all the players, a distinctive voice you could hear across the night plays.
The following year I remember Dennis Pittard arriving at the club and a bit of a showman in many ways, one night at the pub dad & I were there and talking about my TV with some players, dad saying he will have to get one, Pittard looked at him and said do you want one, I will arrange it, the next week he gets an early Sharp 21″ set at cost price (legally).
They are little memories and a side to people you do not expect, and these are but two stories that tell why I am a proud eels supporter, born in the year that they entered the league and what a year it will be to have them lift the trophy.
Great reporting, and I’m sure Brad Arthur and the coaching team have left no stone unturned in regards to the preseason.
Hoping Corey is trained with the squad, and hoping it’s only precautionary if not.
Also good to see that Edwards has fully recovered and looks raring to go.
Let’s fire up ♨
Thanks Chief. Corey will be ready to go.
Many many thanks 60s to all of u guys for the effort & passion. Just terrific.
At last the season proper has arrived.
You’re welcome Michael. The fellas are looking forward to watching and reporting on the matches.
How footy training has changed. I remember a dimly lit Thursday night at Cumberland trying to watch my heros, The Mayor, Moby Dick, Thursty Lynch, Hambly, Stacker, Campbell, Winney, Lingard etc. All fitted out in odd shorts and a vast assortment of t shirts or old obscure footy jumpers. A few laps of the oval, some touch footy then off for a few beers but not before we hounded each and every one of them for their autographs.
Thanks Sixtys. Just like being there all these years later.
Its a date 60s. I rarely venture to the footy these days although I had to attend the last game vrs The Penfold Flagons at our old stadium given I also attended the opening game there when Sterlo tore them a new one.
My preference now days is to venture to the club to get my weekly Parra fix.
If ever there is an after match function at the Leagues club or indeed a get together there for an away game please advertise and Ill be there with bells on.
Looking forward to a great year. Thanks for everyones efforts at TCT. No doubt the best and most informed NRL supporter site on the internet.
Cheers
Gaz
Thanks for sharing the memories Col and Gazza. I remember those times and the coaches, players and personalities vividly.
This site has given a new perspective on the Parra club and it’s history that is so inspiring to me and many other lifelong Parra tragics. Apart from the mates you attend the games with in the early years only a rare few ever seemed to be as identifiable as we are able to meet these days through this medium.
Thank you Sixties, Forty20, Mitchy and all the other TCT contributors who have made this experience possible. Even though I work very long hours, this medium is there for me to relax and wind down after late nights designing, costing and preparing for the following days activities. It is great respite for an older bloke who doesn’t need a lot of sleep.
Gazza, Rowdy and Col. I know you blokes would have quite a few tales to share from those days. Gazza, I’ve had the pleasure of catching up with Rowdy and Col in the past, maybe you might say gday during the season. I was a kid in the 60s and early 70s. My father worked with the Bear who took autograph books to training for my brother (not DK as he’s the youngest) and I. We had quite the collection, even had Frank Hyde’s son Greg. I remember the fun we had trying to read some of the scrawls!!! Over the years, those books disappeared. What a shame.
I know the feeling, I had an autograph book that dad would take into the sheds for me, one of those old multi colour flip over page types, had them year listed and eels players galore also other teams, but nowhere near the same numbers of them.
Like many of my old memorabilia they are gone, along with programs and other historical stuff, only real stuff I have now is a few souvenir bits and almost all my football club badges, many of my dads as well. He got very much peeved one year when the club for some reason changed without notifying members that they had introduced some new numbering system, dad had a very low membership number, and mine higher but lowish, same thing happpened with the leagues club, he had a real pink willy when I ended up with a lower membership number then him in both leagues and football club.
Gee I’m looking forward to season 2017. Thanks for all you hard work over the pre-season. It is greatly appreciated.
Cheers Pou. The blokes at TCT appreciate your support.
There was a deal of melancholy in this post Sixties. Pre-season training over. What a shame.
Can’t wait to see your match reviews and perhaps a few more player profiles throughout the year.
Love your work.
Cheers mate. Will still get to some training, but I’ll move into weekly wrap ups or special mentions. I don’t give away clues about specific match preparations.
Sixties, if we start smash’en’em, you might have to talk to BA about helping out the struggling clubs in the 2nd round with a bit of insider trading ;);). Compassion belongs to the victor mate. Don’t forget, we get to write the history too!
Go the mighty Eels.
You’re a wonderful NRL humanitarian Rowdy! I’ve spent too long on the end of barbs about my Eels. If we start smashing, compassion won’t be found with me. I’ll simply enjoy it!
Superb write up again Sixties and nicely put about the team and range of training drills. This is one insight that we have come to appreciate. It’s been a huge long week for me, so sorry only here now. Thanks for comment and it was a privilege to help in a small way.
We are privileged of the insight you and co provide. Time, effort and the trust shown is superb. Cheers. Thanks to parra too and the support of the players and coaching staff…
I feel like a kid a week before playing a footy season or cricket – happy but anxious in anticipation. I know we’ve got the guts of a top 8 team, and maybe more……as Guns n Roses said, “welcom to the jungle”…….thanks again.
Thanks mate. Appreciate the time that you put in with the Central Coast report along with your regular opinion. As you know from your attendance, there’s a line between keeping supporters informed and giving away too much information. I try to be aware of that. However, as a supporter, one of rewarding aspects has been to get an insight into the style of footy we will play, the attitude and the team spirit and dynamic.
I’m grateful that our presence is welcomed rather than discouraged.
Thank you and I absolutely love the reads here and wish I had more time to head on down to training. I’ll be 5 mins closer when I move in April….
Sixties it’s the content of this site that makes us more informed and aware. Being able to see the boys train and the coaches input is superb and a treat.
Yes you mentioned about being welcomed and that’s a superb thing the club does, and no doubt the trust is a two way street too at times.
Cheers Mitchy. When blokes like you take a drive down from the coast to watch training, as you have, that’s having a passion for the team.
Thanks. Mate it is a privilege as you have also said; and its what we enjoy and it also gives us a bit more to think about what the team puts themselves through. I often tell people my only religion is sport…
My loyal and passionate following of the eels is only further strengthened by the opportunity to follow what the boys and coaching staff are up too during the off season. This site and it’s reporters have provided all of us tragics with up to date information throughout the off season to help keep us all sane! I can feel the excitement and anticipation build with every report.
Thanks to you sixties and all at TCT for all the reports, much appreciated by all of us.
Bring on the footy and GO YOU EELS!!!
Thanks Grunta. I’d be there even if I didn’t report on it. It’s something that adds to my own supporter experience. I enjoy watching them work on aspects of their game and then see it executed.
Look forward to your posts Sixties. Preseason and beyond.
Have notbeen around much of late due to selling up and moving to the Central Coast. Now looking forward to the season ahead
Glad to have you here now mate. Lucky you – love the Central Coast. Taking a couple of weeks up there soon.
Hope you will be at Wyong Leagues April fools day for the Eels Junior games. WIll be good to catch up then hopefully also JE and others.
I’ll be there Col. I’m down near Bateau Bay. Went last year and hope the juniors can get back on track. It’s a hard season for reps, and I’m sure both squads will want to get back on the field fast…
Ahh! your a southerner on the other side of the. I’m at Wadalba getting the house ready to sell, but will be staying in the area on something a bit smaller.
I’m back a couple of days before then, so will miss the junior reps there.
I’d have gladly bought you a lemonade from the club Sixties. Anyway another time mate. Yes Col, 5 mins from the Bateau pub. Decent spot. Maybe catch up at the Wyong game. Wadalba growing area with new homes, not far from my work.
First time checking out TCT website, I’m usually browsing good old 1ee, and im impressed! Great insight and very informative! Will be back to checking this out more frequently. Very refreshing!
Thanks for dropping by Nidge. We just try to keep all of our fellow supporters updated. Plenty in our archives to read but our recent posts are a good place to start. Tell your mates!