Home Sweet Home!
After an NRL missionary stint in the top end, with the truckload of goodwill that accompanied the community visits and coaching sessions, it was back to the Old Saleyards base for the Parramatta Eels today.
And didn’t the fellas look happy to be back!
To my eye, this near two hour marathon was the highest energy field session of this pre-season. Coaching staff and players alike were in full voice, encouraging and cheering each other, with a bit of banter thrown in for good measure.
With Murph performing hype duties in the warm conditions, it was also a challenging welcome back for Mitch Moses, Suaia Matagi and new recruit, Kane Evans.
Here’s what went down today.
Time trials
The Apprentice and the King running shoulder to shoulder.
After completing their warm ups and running mechanics, the hard yards began immediately as the squad opened up in timed runs over 1.2km. This is where “the Apprentice” Jaeman Salmon made his statement. Clearing out early, he pushed Clint Gutherson’s record to the limit, finishing about 50 metres ahead of Mitch Moses.
Moses himself was deserving of praise, pushing past Will Smith to finish second in his return to Eels HQ.
A special mention to Suaia Matagi, also returning today, who finished ahead of a few players in a tough first-up run.
After completing the time trial, the next hour or so was spent alternating between Lachlan Wilmot and the coaches.
Conditioning
The players completed multiple sets of slalom runs. As they changed direction, reminders were called out about body position and quick feet.
Hitting those tackle bags.
In a variation to last season’s “up and down” drill, the players moved from a bear crawl, into hitting a horizontal tackle bag four times, before rising into a sprint.
This drill was completed multiple times with plenty of talk. Attention was focussed on the manner that the players rose to their feet and drove themselves into the run.
Skills
BA, Joey and Murph took the players through a series of drills focussing on their defensive decisions.
Bevan French challenges the defence.
The squad split into blue and green teams to work within a grid. Alternating between the offensive or defensive role, the goal was for the defensive team to move aggressively off their line to shut down the play. With the attacking team seemingly given a free reign in their sets, it was also imperative for defenders to communicate and to also make good individual decisions.
There was plenty of improvisation on display, and a bit of dropped ball, as passes were pushed to test the defenders.
As the session wrapped up, Reed Mahoney was the last to leave the field. The young rake continues to extract every minute from his time with the full time squad. Today was typical of his dedication.
The King
Gutho looks impressive in every rehab session I’ve witnessed. He runs straight lines over distance with typical Gutho ease, and excels in strengthening exercises.
Importantly, we need to be conscious of the long process involved in his rehabilitation. The Eels will ensure that the King’s knee is 100% before he takes the field. He’s progressing very well and will return when he’s ready.
Jaeman Salmon, Nathan Davis and Kane Evans were running with Gutho today. Evans was not wearing a cast and performed strongly for Day 1. Tony Williams and GL completed their work in the gym and joined the squad as the session neared its conclusion.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Great recap, I’m disappointed with Hayne not being back yet, I know the club has given him the rest of the year off but the other boys from the World Cup have made the effort to be back even if it’s just for a week or so. With everything that has gone on with him the past 2 years about how he takes short cuts at training and never really puts in! He sure isn’t going out of his way here.
Michael, the fellas who’ve returned to training have had a break. Their teams did not advance as far as Fiji.
The team is about to take its Christmas break. We’ll see Jarryd after that.
Fair enough. The word I’m hearing it’s Military training for them after the break
I did hear that HAYNE was holidaying in USA whether that was true or if he is back I am not sure. I think it would be important to all if he made it back pre Break but that looks unlikely now.
No new guys floating around, maybe any trial and buy players from other clubs ? We still have two places to fill….
Great read as always mate
Paul, he’s been posting photos from his trip to the Holy Land.
Not in usa and is entitled to holidays same as everyone else , actually 8 weeks as brokered by players association !
Superb read Sixties; interesting about the young bull or fish Salmon. It is always intriguing reading about what they do each pre-season and now with a new conditioner it will also be interesting the little elements brought in.
I do think Hayne is entitled to his break like the other national players; and i will judge him based on when he begins with parra.
So Sixties was Salmon in the rehab group?
I’ve never witnessed a pre-season like this Mitchy.
Yes, Salmon was in the rehab group, but there are specific drills that those in rehab will join.
Great stuff. Ta 60s.
Any word on Jenko, Vave or Beau?
I believe Vave has been working in the gym whilst the blokes were doing the field work. He joined the skills group on the field on 12 December.
Jennings and Scott should be January.
Great stuff. Ta 60s. Im a big fan of Beau. Sounds like BA is being very careful with him.