Back in November, TCT commenced an ambitious four months of Parramatta Eels pre-season training reports. During this period we reported on the skills, conditioning, combinations, structures and shapes that the team would take into the season proper. Although skills coaching and conditioning will continue throughout the season, the imminent kick off to the premiership has seen the Monday and Tuesday sessions this week take on a match day focus. Having observed some of what Parra will throw at Manly, I’m counting the days until Sunday.
Monday 27th
A key component of this session was the position specific drills. Running at their Wenty counterparts, the forwards worked on the combinations and shapes to be used this weekend. With Matagi, Pritchard and Brown set to make their Eels debuts, it was important to get the lines and calls correct. Match conditions will be a whole new ball game, but for today the execution was crisp and dare I say it – exciting.
Nathan Brown starred at the Nines, and makes his Premiership debut for the Eels this week.
Simultaneously, the halves fine tuned their passing game, whilst the outside backs, including another Eels debutant in Josh Hoffman, drilled their ball movement. This part of the morning extended for just over ten minutes.
The remainder of the field work consisted of relentless defence for both the NRL team and the Wenty boys. Naturally, with each team throwing plenty at the opposition through multiple sets and various re-starts, it meant the attack was given ample opportunity to rehearse their plays. It also provided an insight into how our spine will operate.
Tuesday 28th
An early start for the day and the odd shower made for humid conditions. After the warm up, the session began with balls skills. Operating within a grid, the attacking group took on defenders entering the grid at staggered positions. The drill was completed from different directions, ensuring both left to right and right to left passing. The ball carrier had to make decisions about which shoulder to target. It seemingly came down to making a call about following a set pattern or playing what was in front of them.
Although there was an emphasis on skills, combinations and set plays, the training continued to feature plenty of up/down work. Multiple play the balls and short defence line sprints off the ground helped to fatigue the squad before they launched into some opposed footy. We were treated to BA demanding effort on effort from the players, reminding them what they will achieve from it. The players and staff were vocal in their drive and encouragement of each other. From our perspective, it was a tremendous insight into the team dynamic.
The players working off the ground close to our vantage point.
The opposed work took the team through different scenarios – working the ball from kick offs, working it off the line or to specific field positions, attacking from specific positions – and conversely defending from the same.
From a footy purist aspect, I enjoy watching BA coach the players during these drills, especially when he reminds them of the benefits or consequences of their decisions on the field. Indeed, every member of the staff are excellent communicators with the players, but each has their own style. It’s what makes them a respected coaching team who appear to thoroughly enjoy their job. A shout out to Murph who was putting on some big defensive shots during extras this week and to Joey who can hoist a full repertoire of kicks when testing the outside backs.
Rory O’Brien has come a long way since his time with the Dragons.
Author’s Comments
At the conclusion of the session we were able to speak with a number of players about the commencement of the season. It goes without saying that they’re looking forward to getting into it.
Our congratulations are extended to Rory O’Brien who was rewarded for his hard work with a place in this week’s team.
I’m aiming to get to another session before the end of the week. Too much footy is never enough!
Eels forever!
Sixties
Credit to NRL, Auckland Nines and Parramatta Eels for some images used.
Bring on Sunday! Although I’m sure we’ll definitely hold our own, it’s always a very tough game against the accursed Sea Eagles. Even more so at their home ground, regardless of its ridiculous new name….
I’ll be there mate.
Good stuff 60’s., The real stuff starts in a few days no doubt the training is more serious now and would think the BA talks to them would be on specifics and a constant reminder with the small things needed to be kept to the forefront of their thinking, each play is one of anticipation.
I agree with you on O’Brien. Thing is its not just this year either IIRC. There was a write up here? early last year about the size of him when he first turned up at Training in 2015 after signing with the eels, he was quite a boy, but even with the season break he put in to get himself into a better condition for season 2016. I felt he progressed well enough and the contract extension was well worth it with his put in.
Seeing him now its in many ways a far cry even to how he was 12 months ago, don’t think he’s got much of a gut to suck in now and will not let the team, coach and supporters down this year.
He’s worked hard Colin. We spoke to him on Tuesday and he was very pleased to get his shot in round 1.
I don’t doubt he is pleased, wish him the best.
Nice work Sixties.
It only seems like last week, when your November reports went up….and a bit of sweat has dripped since then. Hump day is almost over, and I just want to see the Sunday 4 pm game….I am not as interested in other matches these days unless it is a special one, but Parra games are what we live for. As Col has mentioned O’Brien IMO had a superb year in 16, and has come on well. Good on him.
It has been a good off season with the reports, and now the fun starts.. As to which teams will get the rub of the green, and which teams won’t, but we make our own luck, don’t we?
Our forwards just need to play well and think everything else will go ok, but I do think Manly will be up for this one big time.
Mitchy, you’re right, we can never take any team for granted, especially on their home ground. We will need to execute our plays and defend well to win this.
Good read Sixties,
Does the team train according to the expected match conditions? It looks like rain on Sunday so does BA curb the ball movement and focus on the ruck and the kicking game where most matches are won in the wet?
Cheers.
In my opinion, you don’t need to change your core game too much. Every team needs a good kicking game. Every team practices set ups and plays that can be used in the wet or dry. But when all’s said, we don’t play with the slippery leather balls of yesteryear so handling is not as much of an issue. For mine, the usually heavy conditions at Brookie make fitness a major factor.
Yes agreed on last comment Sixties; kicking will also be a factor. I think Manly may have us in that; so we will need to be on our game in that area and also not allowing Manly roll on in sets, to nullify time to kick. Fitness should not be an issue for us.
I watched the Thursday session – plenty of opposed with refs in control. Very positive mood.