As I write this training report, the Eels have wrapped up their work for 2017 and are commencing a well earned Christmas break. This past year has been eventful for our club, mostly for positive reasons, and there’s plenty to look forward to in 2018.
For Eels members, an open training session was held on Monday, 18th. I was asked during the barbecue breakfast whether I thought we’d witness a typical training session. I didn’t need to think too hard for my reply – “Knowing BA, he’d be unlikely to waste any time that he had with the team.”
So it was that Monday featured the squad grinding out a good 90 minutes of conditioning and ball work before spending the following half hour meeting and greeting supporters.
The supporters look on as the players grind out the kms.
For the 600 or so members in attendance (don’t take this as accurate, but Saleyards was more densely populated than usual) it was an opportunity to gauge how hard the team are working this pre-season. For fellas like Ray Stone, Jaeman Salmon and Reed Mahoney, it was their first ever pre-season supporter experience which will stand them in good stead for future events.
With Monday out of the way it was back to business for Tuesday’s final workout. With the usual structure of split groups over two hours, I’ll bypass my usual description of the drills; rather I will provide the purpose behind them.
Station 1 – Running Track with Lachlan Wilmot
Achieving strength and power in unexpected circumstances is the principal behind today’s drills. Most players can drive into their plays with maximum power in “ideal circumstances”. The problem is that football presents a multitude of circumstances that sit outside the ideal. Attackers will step you, you have turn and chase moments, the ball could be popped out to you when you least expect it. Obviously there’s an exhaustive list that any fan could list.
The key then is to train the body to respond with power even when you’re on the wrong leg, when your body is twisted or when you have little time to react. It’s also important for those efforts to be more sustained and to make them second nature.
In doing so, not only are the players efforts maximised, but the risk of injury is also reduced. Ultimately, it’s all about getting the best from your stars and keeping them on the paddock.
Hence we see players carrying weights above their heads, stepping over mini hurdles etc. The players are put into unusual positions in their movements which trains their body to respond to the unexpected.
(Thanks to Lachlan for his run down. This is my attempt to paraphrase his explanation 24 hours later. My apologies to him if I’ve done him an injustice.)
Station 2 – Minimum Observation, Maximum Skill with Joey Grima
When you have the footy, you must make the best use of it. Correct hand position (out in front, hands up) is paramount in receiving the footy. This doesn’t just relate to ball retention. It also transitions into transferring the ball to your supports.
A small ball game like Spike Ball is used at training.
This might seem like the realms of junior football, but it needs to be maintained in a senior squad. Not every elite player was blessed with elite coaching in their junior years. It’s expected that key members of an NRL team’s spine would be gifted in this aspect, but every player handles the footy. If this basic of the game isn’t second nature to every player, you get dropped balls or missed opportunities. It’s that simple.
It’s not unusual for Joey to use tennis balls to work on hand eye coordination and hand position. He’ll use a range of equipment to propel balls back to players in unexpected ways.
Different passes are used in different circumstances in matches. Longer passes might see a spiral, short passes don’t need a spiral. Today also saw Joey working with the squad for passing under such scenarios.
It was all about catching and passing where minimal observation was possible but maximum skill was required. That’s the reality of the game. Things happen in split seconds. You don’t get time to consider how you will execute, you just have to do it.
By the way – those hills at George’s Hall still awaited.
Author’s Note
Isaac John was in attendance, filming Normz for the latest YKTR VLOG. For those who regularly watch their video escapades, the footage from today should provide some idea of the drills in this session.
A shout out to Andrew and his son Luke who travelled up from Dapto to watch the fellas train today. On behalf of Andrew and Luke, a thanks to Joey for being Joey!
As this is my final training report for 2017, my thanks goes out to the players and coaching staff for allowing supporters like me (and Parrathruandthru) to attend training. Indeed, Brad, Joey, Murph, Lachlan and Sults have helped me to communicate the work (and its associated rationale) that goes into preparing a team. I’m extremely grateful for their time and the value that they place on the club’s supporters.
Forty and I are also appreciative of the support Anthony Fields provides in our coverage of the Junior Reps. We’re always that little bit wiser in our footy knowledge after every conversation.
Thanks too to Bernie Gurr who is always giving when stopped by supporters. His Tip Sheet episode was very popular with our readers.
I’d like to extend my very best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and New Year to all at the Parramatta club.
This has been quite a year – literally a football odyssey.
TCT has been granted incredible access to important Eels staff, which we’ve shared via our “Tip Sheet” series.
We’ve covered everything from Parramatta junior reps to NRL, and our readership continues to grow.
My thanks and Christmas wishes to my fellow TCT contributors – Mitch, John, Chris, DK, Colmac, Clint and Nathan. A special thanks and best wishes to our “Friends of the Throw”. We have a crew of mates who help out whenever they can, however they can, simply because they love the Eels. Much appreciated.
Last but not least, all the best for the festive season to our readers. TCT truly appreciates the support that you provide for our site throughout the year. It really is the driving force behind what we do.
Merry Christmas
Eels forever!
Sixties
Cheers 60’s another solid report and ending to the TCT for 2017.
It seems the supporters got out in numbers this week, and wish i was able to make the trip but work…..thanks for the reports and updates from yourself and the team. It certainly is a highlight to read them, and gain an insight into the club and team.
Pls let me know when they are back and we will meet up again…..maybe even my other half will come along again. Cheers
Thanks mate. They’re back at work on January 3.
Looking forward to seeing that ring on Courtney’s finger!
Ha yes mate, she will happily share it. Will send you a pic
Surely she has to be an Eel fan now….?
Merry Christmas to you guys at TCT and thanks for all the great content you provide on a weekly basis.
I popped out to watch the session on Monday and it was great to see the guys train up close. You really get to see the little things like who’s doing the talking and who keeps pushing the intensity by leading from the front.
Cam King, Kaysa, Corey etc really impressed me in this regard and Moses was great in his talk and leading the way in the ball work session.
Tepai was impressive to, always pushing himself in the runs.
Also I had forgotten how big Tony Williams is!! The guy is huge and until you see him in person you just can’t imagine how big he is. He makes guys like Tepai look like light weights.
I’m glad you could catch that training on Monday Clive.
It really does give that sense of how hard they’re working. Last year it was Nathan Brown who really stood out and look at the year he had.
Yes, there truly is a reason for the T Rex moniker.
Thanks for all your great work fellas.
Thanks Pou.
Merry Xmas & thanks TCT!
Btw, has the Napa talk dried up?
Cheers Matt. I’m not hearing too much about Napa.
Sixties,
Thank you for your clear and insightful reports, while not as good as being there in the flesh it really helps for those who read and take it all in. Revealing all the work and the little snippets that reflect what I believe is very harmonious and tight group of players and staff, all committed to the task ahead.
I would like to extend to you, and the TCT team, also all that contribute here the compliments of the season for yourselves and families.
Thanks Colin. We really appreciate your support and the depth of your responses.
Looking forward to more of the same in 2017.
Thanks Sixties and all at TCT for your wonderful and insightful reports. I was privileged to meet some of you this year. A very blessed Christmas to you all.
It was great to meet you in Melbourne this year mate. Glad you made it down on Monday too. Appreciate your support.
Thanks to all the wonderful contributions from the whole team. This site is the real deal and by and far the most impressive eels site .
Take care and have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and I look forward to watching the 2018 season unfold .
Thanks for the kind words Paul.
After 2017 I can’t wait for next season.
Have a great Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all of the team at TCT.
Thanks for all of the reports and you have me champing at the bit for 2018
Cheers John. Bring on 2018 mate!
A huge thanks to the TCT Team. I always feel informed by your reports etc. I check in each and every day. Congratulations also on managing to bring out the best in those that offer their opinions. Extremely refreshing.
Merry Christmas to all and I wish everyone a very safe festive season.
Merry Christmas to you too Gazzamatta. Thanks for being a regular on TCT and for contributing your opinions.
Beau is not retired will be back in January
Scott, Hayne, Mannah (though he’s done some sessions), Ma’u, Jennings, Terepo, Takairangi are all due back in January.
Thanks for another great report. As fans living out of Sydney we are really lucky to have access to training reports and updates on club comings and goings.
While you guys are very naturally supportive of the eels, I really appreciate that you allow constructive debate.
To all writers at TCT, our wonderful players + family, coaches and staff and of course tct readers have a great, safe and merry Christmas and everyone driving for holidays, please drive safely.
Who knows what the new year will bring, but being an eels supporter we know one thing for sure, there will be plenty of ups and downs, but we are use to it and can handle it. Bring on 2018.
Like you shelley i enjoythe constructive debate in this site but more importantly i enjoy the fact it dosent tolerate abusive bullys ,foul innuendos,racisim and vitriol towards others whos opinions differ ,Different sites different criteria i guess . Fortunately the tct people have supplied an alternative platform for those who simply wish to support our team ,thank you tct .
Constructive debate is welcome here anon. Personal abuse isn’t. It’s a fairly simple guideline which we rarely have to be concerned about with the readers here.
Thanks everyone.
Thanks Shelley. If you haven’t done so already, can you please contact Forty via our email.
Merry Christmas to all, and to those associated with the production of this site a special thank you. You have every reason to be proud of the quality of the writing, something we look forward to reading. I can never understand why anyone/group who go to the effort of developing a supporters website would not keep a close eye on the standards and quality. Surely a supporters site, particularly an Eels site, should be something we are all proud of, and prepared to let our children and grandchildren read.
Thanks Lady Eel.
It’s gratifying to know that people see TCT as an inclusive site. And any students are sure to benefit from reading the advanced lexicon of Forty’s posts.
Footy and education all rolled up in one Parra website. How’s that for value!
Merry Christmas.