This week the Eels will journey down to the Gong as they attempt to slay the rejuvenated St George-Illawarra Dragons. Preparations moved into full gear on Tuesday with agility and skills at Saleyards, followed by Wednesday’s intense opposed session. With both teams coming into the match on the back of impressive victories, this week’s winner will enjoy a great springboard into the season.
I was there for both of these field sessions and walked away convinced that the Eels will be better for that first round victory. Here’s a quick summary of this week’s work.
Tuesday – Back To Business
During the first part of the session the players were in the hands of Ronnie Palmer as they worked through a series of agility drills. The squad was in a buoyant move as they began their work with plenty of banter, but the game faces were soon on as the work involved a level of competition.
Ronnie Palmer – taking the players through their agility and conditioning work.
For mine, the star of the opposed component of the morning was Manu Ma’u. He was running great lines and almost playing at game intensity. The attack and defence was rehearsed from specific re-starts or particular points on the field. It didn’t appear to be any sort of window to the tactics for the weekend, rather reinforcing some standard shapes.
The session concluded with extras, including a good bashing delivered to the players using the tackle pads. I’m sure I saw Joey Grima smiling as he swung those pads.
Suaia Matagi
A healthy contingent of the rugby league media were in attendance for player interviews. After his formal commitments were over, I caught up with Suaia Matagi. He’s a very humble, quietly spoken man. We spoke about his journey, having no background in rugby league until his release from prison. When I commented on the enormity of his achievement, he immediately gave credit to the support he received from others, especially his wife. He also spoke about how honoured he felt to pull on the Eels jersey and to do so alongside Manu Ma’u. The honour was mine to be able to speak with him.
Wednesday – Looking Good
This was a full opposed session with NRL referees. However, it didn’t commence until the players were fatigued with a solid period of up/down work. With opponent specific training in full cry, Arthur was prowling the field, watching the play unfold from different angles. Speaking with individuals, small groups of players or the entire team, BA corrected and instructed his charges. They were reminded about what to expect from their opposition. The communication and encouragement within the group was evidence that the players were switched on. I’d have to give a wrap to French and Brown – both had a couple of special moments on the field.
The coach gives instructions and sets expectations.
During the extras, a few of the players were working on their wrestling under the watchful eye of Bumper O’Farrell. This was just in front of our vantage point, so it was a great insight into how intense this part of their training is. It was the real deal – and there was no holding back. The desire to get over their opponent was written on their faces. This sort of stuff usually takes place in the wrestling room, so it was an eye-opener to watch it close up like this.
Author’s Note
Having reported on the physical conditioning that’s taken place over the pre-season, the weekend was a reminder that true match fitness Is achieved through playing matches. Corey Norman has been quoted as saying how fatigued he felt during last Sunday’s victories, and that can only be attributed to his extended time watching from the sidelines.
Given the number of new combinations that took the field for the Eels in Round 1, you could almost consider the first-up victory as being an additional trial game. Many clubs would feel similarly, which makes it even more pleasing to come away from Lottoland with two competition points. Points that can be kept!!!!
Looking to our opponents, it’s hard to draw a line on the form of St George. They were as impressive as any team from the opening round, but Penrith were very poor. In fact, the Panthers defence offered little more than a soft training run opposition. Yet, you can’t speak against the Dragons simply because the Riff failed to front up. If Parra take them lightly, the same fate could await. Having watched the Eels prepare, that’s very unlikely.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels
Great reporting sixties.
Just on Takairangi, I didn’t notice him in any of the training pics after some sort of leg injury on the weekend.
Can you shed any light on how he has trained.
Thanks again for the terrific insight into what goes on behind the scenes.
The pics were taken yesterday. A number of players who might have copped a soft tissue knock generally do rehab – they do a bit of running but don’t do contact work. Taka trained in the contact work today. No issues.
60’s nice report and Interesting your comment re the first game like a training session, when one thinks on it, you are correct as being the first full game with the set players only taking part against basically an unknown opposition, the players are without their various coaches that are wandering amongst them, they are remembering the instructions with the obstacles being tougher but likely very much an unknown.
After last weeks game they would all have had the opportunity of going over their own game and next weeks opponents, no doubt BA and the brains trust would have gotten a lot of info from the watching, same with our opposition. Based on reports Saints went well and were a surprising team compared to last year, and maybe Penrith took them on last years form and taking the match as a gimme, something our team cannot afford to do.
I watched the interview with Matagi on the eels page, and what a well spoken, quiet and humble person, we have signed well.
Many teams face similar issues in the early rounds. For Parra, we had a spine that hadn’t played together at all.
this is the worst title we’ve ever had.
Bloody school teachers !!
I reckon I can reach deeper, plenty of the season left.
Sixties old boy , what’s your feeling on Folau
? I saw a pic of him recently stripped down and looking like a real lean mean machine, will he get another go in the NRL , I HOPE SO.
thx mate
John is looking in the best shape of his career. I’ll be interested in what he can produce for Wenty when he returns. If he can find his form, then who knows what the season might bring. Injuries usually present opportunities. He just has to keep putting his best foot forward and take any chance that comes his way.
Hey Anon, 🙂 I am happy to show you my school and swap work for a day…or week. Sixties has had some time to think of these titles.
I’ve got a bag full of these crappy titles! Mitch can’t wait.
Miatch, you ever heard of Austen Tayshus 😅😅😅😨
He has Chief, but Nulla-bores him to tears.
In all serious Sixties, are the refs at training emphasising aspects of game they focus on? in all respects they should be focusing on all of the rules but i know we have heard the term ‘key indicators’ over the years.
I can only assume what’s discussed when BA speaks with the refs and Russell Smith when they take the opposed sessions. They blow penalties for offside, marker issues, obstructions etc. The referees are available for opposed sessions for all teams. I can only see advantages from understanding their interpretation of the rules.
And I bet he’s seen a https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt-YU13KfEM
Sixties 😀😀😀😂😃
(edited by Sixties to protect the innocent)
Sixties another great report as always . Hoping to see more charging runs from Brown rather than the off load and passing . If Gower plays as well need the big running game back.
I think today is going to be a really tough game . But we are a tough footy team .