A training report from mid-November about a session involving ball skills for most of the 90 minutes? There’s still plenty of conditioning and running mechanics to report on, but this pre-season continues to deliver its surprises.
Here’s the rundown on field sessions 3 and 4 from the second week of the pre-season.
Thursday
After the warm up, the field work began with running mechanics. Static body and leg positioning kicked things off, then the hurdles were in use to get the high leg lift working. An exaggerated version of the skip run that is often seen during warm ups seemed to be putting that higher leg lift or leg drive into use.
Trust me, they’re playing handball in this photo!
It wasn’t long before the squad was into their skills work. Laughs began to echo around Saleyards as a modified game of handball was played. Games have always been a key element of training during Arthur’s tenure, and given the tough physical conditioning that has typified the start to pre-season, it was good to hear the players enjoy themselves.
A sequence of passing drills followed. It’s incredible to see the work that goes into rugby league basics, but hand and body positioning with the catch and pass are vital and need to be constantly drilled for muscle memory to kick in. The next time you watch a rugby league match, look at some of the passing from the ruck whenever the regular dummy half isn’t involved. It leaves plenty to be desired.
Friday
A club commitment meant that today’s field session kicked off 90 minutes earlier than expected. Although I missed the majority of the work, I managed to grab a quick word with skills coach, Joey Grima, to find out what went down.
This was a massive conditioning session on the athletics track.
The players were split into two groups and ran six sets of 1km runs. The groups ran alternately on the track with the break between sets essentially lasting the time that it took for a group to complete its run.
This was a variation on the 2km run and 4 sets of 800m from the week before, and the distance was increased.
When I arrived the players were near the end of some defensive drills. With some less experienced players in the group, it was an ideal time to get them involved in a drill which saw the defenders practise peeling off the tackled player and moving back into the defence line.
Worth A Mention
Kaysa Pritchard impressed with his first week of training. He adds spirit to the group and leads with his passion and determination on the paddock.
Although he’s involved with a different program, I can’t help but grow in admiration for Gutho’s work ethic and leadership. I’m positive that he’ll come back bigger and better in 2018.
Just going by appearances, Tepai looks a little leaner and sharper during the sprints. Marata may have bulked up a few kilograms. If he has, the extra size has not impacted his fitness at all. He’s mobile and has been a strong performer in the distance work at training.
Even two weeks in, there’s a discernible growth in the skills demonstrated by the new additions to the squad. It’s a long journey from NYC to the NRL, but it’s encouraging to know that an NRL pre-season benefits the young players almost immediately.
Author’s Note
Welcome home T – Rex!
The Eels have today officially announced the signing of Tony Williams. I have not mentioned him during the training reports as the club were yet to make the announcement (contract cooling off period?).
I like this signing. One year deals have worked well for the Eels under Arthur’s coaching. In a win-win scenario, we have:
1. A big bodied forward – needed
2. A player looking for an opportunity to re-establish himself as an NRL star – low cost
3. A Parramatta boy returning home – motivation
Everyone I’ve spoken to feels very positive about the return of TRex. If Arthur can find the key to getting a consistent work rate and aggression from the big fella, the club will be on a winner.
A group of NRL players not involved in the World Cup are expected to return to training next Monday. This is a very different pre-season than any I’ve witnessed in recent seasons. I know that Arthur has the policy of continually bringing something new to the table every season, but this is a massive change. The feedback I’ve received so far is that the players are definitely feeling the extra work, but they’re enjoying the physical challenge and the difference from last year.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Good stuff 60’s and nice to read. Certainly when the other players are back in the squad and all together there should be some lift from the young players.
I mentioned over on the other site regarding Tepai and how he looked to have trimmed down, more akin to perhaps shedding his baby fat, having a different hair style may also have streamlined him as well.
If T can get his early years abilities back and the potential shown then back and then realise the potential he could add much more to the side, especially if it includes consistency, something I think that was missing with Matagi and Vave who had big games interspersed with a fair amount of average and below average matches.
My big hope is that the young players such as Niukore, Morris and Stone lift to perform at a higher level for next years season.
PS, I believe the site issues problems were likely the result of me using Mozilla as the primary web browser, now I have gone back to IE, the issues have gone away.
I’m not sure that Morris is still with the club Colin. I have the feeling that 2018 will be a break out year for Marata.
How has T-rex been training Sixties? Does he look fit etc
T-Rex appears to be on a different program. He’s been doing different conditioning, though still involved with running mechanics. Looks like TRex – Ive always though his size never changes much, so if there are plans to change his size, it’s very early days yet.
Thanks for all the feedback mate love your work
Thanks Sixties for another insightful report. Like you I have high hopes for Marata Niukore this coming season.
You’re welcome Yaya and Manginina.
Great update sixties. Have they hired an assistant to replace Peter gentle?
If they have, he hasn’t been involved in pre-season training as yet Peter.
Nice work sixties only reason Marata didn’t play this year apparently was cap second tier.He is a gun.
Play I mean Nrl lol .
Yes Gianni. He came very close.
Nice read!! Keep up the good work 60’s!!
So is T-Rex still an edge player? Or will BA use his size / skills in the middle ? Interesting times ahead!!
Very low risk signing !!
Agree Joshua. Low risk signing, and how he’s used will be interesting.
Good stuff Sixties
Cheers Pou.
Thanks Sixties – bringing something new each season & adding an element of fun suggests BA is working through a clear plan.
It’s part of his philosophy – to improve and bring something different every year.
Did anyone else read ‘The Lurker’ saying if Hayne comes back to Parra we might lose Gutherson?! What a joke! As if BA would be so silly to let Gutherson go.
It got the clicks and reaction that he wanted.
Mention Hayne ✅
Mention most popular Eel ✅
Stir up fear in a fan base that’s been smashed by years of problems ✅
Gutho is a future leader of the club. It was a ludicrous fabrication that nonetheless got plenty of attention.
Definitely Gutho would be last player out of the current squad that would be let go let alone released.
Ps, I notice that Morris is no longer on the eels profile page.
Which would indicate that he’s not in the top squad but I think he’s still part of the system at Wenty.