A full squad in attendance.
A field marked out in corridors.
Players in fine voice.
Today it truly felt as if the coming season was in sight.
Let’s name it football Friday. Here’s why:
Opposed Work
To clarify, this was not a full field opposed session. Nor was it the first time that the team has run through sets or shapes. However, with the “January players” now joining the squad, today felt like the first serious hit out with the ball in hand.
A factor in this assessment of mine is that there was a touch of venom in defence. To explain, up to this point, there’s been grab, tackle pads or two hand touch in play for defenders. This makes sense for drills which have been working through basic structures, shapes or options. The impact stuff has mostly taken place in the gym’s contact room.
Today, attackers were occasionally put to the ground. Not NRL crunch style, but certainly with more vigour than pre-Christmas. In one memorable play, Jarryd Hayne delivered a forceful “greeting” to Michael Jennings. If Jenko wasn’t caught by surprise, the spectators definitely were!
Kenny Edwards was in fine form today
Unquestionably, Eels supporters would be curious about what positions players were taking. Today’s opposed drills didn’t reveal anything about roles or positions, with plenty of rotations taking place in what was roughly 6 on 6 in marked out corridors on the field. Furthermore, there were plenty of different colours being worn by the players (and not for any discernible reason eg spine players). Accordingly, it was difficult to identify players in distant regions of the field. So, the limited observations below are indicative of these circumstances.
For mine, the following highlights were worth mentioning:
* A glorious offload back on the inside from Kenny Edwards to a flying Will Smith. (Edwards looks to be in the best shape of his career)
* Bevan French creating space for his outside support with a perfectly timed pass
* Jarryd Hayne in Jarryd Hayne mode – he was literally gliding across the field as he linked with his runners.
Other Observations
A stack of conditioning was undertaken throughout the session. You can’t really call it a break between the opposed drills when you spend that time with Lachlan Wilmot. The players were hitting the tackle bags and completing shuttle runs in demanding conditions.
The talk was loud in both attack and defence. As much as the attack was working on their combinations, the defence was working just as hard to shut it down.
On the other field, the rehab group continued to put the kilometres into their legs, with Gutho leading the way and the Apprentice not far behind. You can literally sense how determined the King is to get back into the action. As soon as he completed his running, Gutherson was standing beside BA as the rest of the squad completed their sets.
Author’s Note
In recent days there’s been some social media criticism of the junior development system at the Eels. The commentary has been both ill-informed and completely wrong.
When it comes to talent identification, development and results, the club has never been in better shape.
Brad Arthur has instituted a whole club methodology behind player development. Recruitment and retention manager, Anthony Field, works closely with Arthur on the junior pathways. NRL skills coach, Joey Grima is heavily involved in the junior rep coaching, including the professional development of the coaches themselves.
NYC graduate – Ray Stone.
The fruits of these labours are only just beginning to show. You don’t see the results of junior development overnight. Nonetheless we have so much to feel encouraged by. The 2016 Harold Matthews success transitioned through into the 2017 SG Ball title and National Championship victory. The Eels 2017 NYC grand final team featured a host of under 18 eligible players. The first of the NRL development contracts have now been awarded to some of these NYC graduates. The impact on first grade will be felt in the coming years.
At TCT, we pride ourselves on providing the best junior representative coverage available on any rugby league fan site. We are less than two months away from the kick off in these elite junior competitions. With incredible live blogs from Forty20, Eels supporters unable to attend District Rep matches can stay up to date with results and player development.
If you’re looking for facts about our club, this is the place to find it.
Eels forever!
Sixties
I’m gateful as usual, sixties. Nice job.
Grateful even
I “latched” on to what you meant Pou. You’re wecome – welcome even.
Thanks sixties, worth the wait
Cheers June. Had a bit on the plate yesterday so this took a bit longer.
Sounds like Jarryd need to read ‘How to win friends and influence people.”
He better not have hurt Jenko.
Things sound like they are going to the Master’s plan. Perhaps this should be BA’s new moniker. You can’t have an Apprentice without a Master.
This was merely a prelude to the opposed work to come. When things heat up there are moments when you hear the collisions – yet you realise it’s not a full hit. Although when Beau Scott’s involved, I always suspect he hasn’t held back.
Thx Sixties. Nice
So I’m noticing a few more 20s players being introduced into the top squads training.
Apart from Mahoney & Stone, is there anyone else training with the squad?
Also, in your opinion, who is tge most likely to break into the top 17 throughout ’18.?
GL, Dane Akaufolau and Tui Afualo have all had time in the NRL squad during the pre-season. Others are already mapped out to join the NRL squad at the end of 2018. It’s all about planning these pathways – including getting the timing right.
I’m not sure that circumstances will allow a development contract player to play NRL as they are outside the top 30. It would require an injury crisis and special dispensation.
My pick from this group is Stone. He is tough and looks at home in this group.
I think the debutant for the year will be Marata Niukore.
Today I found the updated salary cap rules on nrl.com. While still vague about the development squad, it is explicit that the NRL Development List ‘replaces’ the NRL second tier. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything but it suggests that development players can play in the NRL. Maybe with dispensation.
https://www.nrl.com/operations/the-game/the-salary-cap/
You are correct and thanks for adding the link – it’s not impossible but a club pretty much has to make a case for needing to play a development player. The extension to a top 30 is meant to cover most injury scenarios. That is what the clubs are working by and I’ve had that clarified.
However, clubs have gone beyond 30 players, so we might see some development players at some point when a club applies for dispensation. The media around the first instance will be interesting.
It seems that most clubs have been using more than the 25 players accounted for under the main salary cap, with the typical number being about 30. This extra five seems to have been the second tier cap divided by the NRL minimum salary, so most clubs have probably been using a de facto top 30 for a while anyway. The official switch to a top 30 would just be a codification of that.
The second tier rules previously stated that once the second tier cap was used up (by players 26-30 or thereabouts) clubs needed special dispensation to field further players. So I’d say you’re right. Squad players 31+ (being development players under the new terminology) would be used the same way second tier players were previously used after the second tier cap was full. When I think about it, there will probably be no change in practice, just a change in terminology.
Last sentence – nailed it.
The season rushes forward with anticipation.
Thanks for the special mention on the juniors and great to see the number involved with the top squad. I like the looks of Stone, he shone out the first time I saw him, and with so many players off contract over this year and next, these young players can grab a career big time.
Keep up the great reports 60’s and look forward to the other TCT writers in putting forward these posts especially on the junior and lower grade comps, which can keep the season open for those unable to attend games.
I’m a fan of Ray Stone too Colin. It’s hard to believe that Wests let him go!
As I mentioned, Forty’s live match blogs will start in February.
Re Stone…Me too..As Bert Newton once said to Ali… “I like the boy”..
Thanks mate —- Hurry back forties.
Thanks Sixties, your blogs continue to impress! Looking forward to seeing Hayne surprise many, think people forget just how naturally gifted and what a freakish talent this bloke is. He is back at his spiritual home and won’t disappoint, he knows this is his last chance to redeem himself and leave the game with his image restored and remembered as a true Eels legend!
Jason, the proof will be in his form and to that end the ball’s in his court.
You’re correct – he’s home. There’s familiar faces, both on the playing and the coaching staff. He can finish his career on a high.
Another great read. You do an amazing job keeping us all informed and up to date.
Bring on 2018 from juniors to first grade. Exciting times ahead.!
Not long till junior reps mate. Next trial Jan 20.
Sixties. You wrote on another blog the other day First grade squad ran a 2km time trial. Do you know any times ran please, or who won it and there time
Thanks Dessy.
Can’t give you the times, but Jaeman Salmon finished first, Daniel Alvaro second, and Jake Arthur (Harold Matts half) third.
From memory, just behind them were Norman, Mannah and Mahoney (not sure of the order)
Thank you I appreciate it.
Is Jake BA’s boy? He’s meant to be quite talented if I recall correctly?
Both of BA’s boys are talented in their own right – Jake is the Harold Matts half – he possesses advanced game management skills for his age including an astute kicking game. He’s also ridiculously fit.
Matty (Boods) is in the Eels 14 yrs development squad. He’s a dummy half and is insanely fearless. You wouldn’t believe the passing skills he possesses for his age.
Both boys put in the hard yards and any achievements they make will be because of this. People can catch them playing at the upcoming junior rep trials.
Sixties I’m very impressed you can keep this up. I was wondering about jarryd it was only 2 years ago that he recorded 40 yard dash speeds like 4.55 which was above average for nfl rb,s. Power sprinters typically are at around peak at jarryd s
Age. But I never saw him get out of the blocks like he use to up at the titans. Is it possible he has lost a lot of his speed and can he regain it. My feeling is that while he was away players in the nrl went to new heights in sprinting , I don’t think when jarryd was at his peak there was anyone in the game who could run him down once in stride and that is just not the case anymore. I hope he can regain that electric running. Thx mate.
Thanks mate. It might be fun to count how many training blog words I’ve written over the years. It would be an interesting measure of my lunacy!
Even watching Jarryd on Friday, he still looked like the explosive athlete. When he has the football in his hands, it’s like he glides into top gear. However, there’s a long way to go as he has to fit into Parra’s shapes and plays. He has to learn the calls. He’s been away for 3 years. Plenty has changed!
Good to hear that Kenny is in great shape. Despite the debates with family members I am a huge Kenny fan. Hopefully getting fitter also means he will be less tired and have fewer brain snaps, although the cramping I am sure will remain. I think his energy, aggression and skill coming off the bench is invaluable for us.
Dan Alvaro is very impressive with his fitness. I know a 2km time trial is very different too speed over 40m’s but to finish in front of all the first grade backs and edge forwards is a testament to his dedication, considering he started pre season late. I really hope we keep him past this season, he is so professional and reliable as well as getting more skilful each year.
Shelley, in terms of work ethic and professionalism, Danny Alvaro is one of the very best. You have to remember that he only returned to training just before Christmas, so he has kept himself that fit during his breaks.
I thought that he had an outstanding end to the season in 2017. He was told to be more aggressive, more dominant, and he delivered. It will be hard to ignore his claims for a starting spot this year.
Sixties, as I replied to Shelley, I have been a big fan of Alvaro’s for some time now, and I can only see him getting better and improving each year, a must to have in the main team.
His efforts on the training paddock make him impossible to ignore.
Shelley, Alvaro to me is a classic old style prop, one that develops a bit late but will continue on for some years. As we have some aging forwards I see him and have done so for some time now a leader in the forwards going into the future.
To me a must to keep.
Lachlan Wilmot seems to be a strategic addition to the training staff. Imagine if the players add a yard or two to their speed this year. We might see the likes of Tim Mannah and Kane Evans running seventy metres to score a try at some point during the season in scenes reminiscent to Danny Wicks’ effort during his Newcastle days. I suspect, though, there’s a concerted effort to find a confluence between power/speed and endurance/stamina. Further bridging those two categories might be the game’s next major innovation.
Jarryd Hayne’s perceived loss of speed in 2017 may have been the result of playing with injury, Didn’t Ryan James allude to this in a recent article? If so, Hayne probably spent the period between one match and the next in rehab. There’s no reason why someone hitting thirty years of age should suddenly slow down. Linford Christie experienced his greatest success as a sprinter after he reached that magic mark… Although he may have done so for other reasons, I can’t recall now!
From what I can ascertain, he’s developing optimum balance, core strength, and power for the many moments in the game when you aren’t in the ideal position to achieve these things. It’s also a matter of the training and conditioning being undertaken in a way that minimises certain types of injuries – be they new or recurring.
As in all clubs there are remarkable athletes in the squads, I was fortunate to be there Friday. When JH took off at the line, he looked like a giant Bevan French as it seemed like he was gliding across the ground at speed.
Bevan looks really sharp, at one stage he got the numbers right on an overs play, hit the space and was 5 metres behind the defensive line and in the clear before they could react.
Certainly some depth on display, with Vave, Evans, Gutho,Salmon,TRex and GL doing plenty of kms as their rehab continued. Someone suggested that they want to hold Gutho back until rounds 6 to 8 given that it’s his second reco, good luck with that but may well be sensible to be doubly sure before he gets manhandled in games.
Thanks for being extra eyes there Derek.
Whatever happens with Gutho, the decision made will be in his best long term interests.
Great read again Sixties; and very interesting reading about the competitive nature coming back ever so slightly in defence etc. the competition for spots will no doubt be good. JH will be back…..
I have a sneaking suspicion that at least one rookie will be used throughout 2018.
Alvaro to me seems ready to play more mins; and maybe a mobile style of play; which could allow the use of Trex / Evans and co in the middle more. I maybe wrong. Our backs have the chance to be the best in the competition.
Thank you for a superb read sixties.
Cheers Mitchy. My thoughts are that maybe the opposition might shape our bench this year.
Our backs? Versatility and quality.
Definitely the bench will be flexible. Our backs will be v v good.
Mitchy, mobility and add to that power, would love to see him do some more light runs as he did against the dogs in the 2nd round and went over to score a try carrying a few noted dogs forwards with him.
Top stuff, and no powder puff.
Yes me too Col; I’d be happy with Alvaro adding a kg or two. He and Brown are both v important for our pack. No nonsense players and superb in defence along with Mannah and Scott. We need to get maximum from the bigger props.
Great update 60’s and in not so many words setting the record straight on the pathways for the Juniors to progress. Unfortunately most don’t understand the past sins of the club through previous 1st grade coaches and there thoughts or lack of on how to develop our Junior pathways. Hopefully people understand that BA has Field, Grima & co working with players and coaches about the DNA / style for our future success.
I have sat through a few Q & A sessions with our 1st grade coaches, the Peter Nolan’s etc and BA has been the only one with a clear direction / plan moving forward.
Well said JJ.
It’s also important that everyone is on the same page (and the same book) about the type of footballers that we need to produce for the Eels. To paraphrase a smart person I know, it’s no good both being on page 27, if one is reading a Superman comic and another is reading The Canterbury Tales.
It’s not so much a criticism that the club wasn’t producing talent, as much as the type of talent/footballer – or DNA as you put it – that we need.
Thanks for adding your knowledge about the topic JJ.
Great write up guys.
On Jarryd’s speed and agility I have believed for quite a while that he was allowed to get to big and it affected his speed. I think he is far better when he is around that 98-100kg mark and I was quite disappointed to see him as big as he was when he returned to training. I was hoping he would have turned up lean, mean and ready to go.
The next two months will likely see a change in Jarryds physique. You don’t do the type of conditioning that Parra does (or most teams) and not have it impact.
It’s interesting looking at Jarryds build alongside the likes of Taka, Auva’a and Davis who all appear much bigger than him.
I reckon BA will have him in the shape/size that he wants.
Lets not forget that when he lined up in the NFL, their coach made the comment that JH was of the wrong shape for that game, saying also that his size etc was for a rugby player, and they would have to work on changing it to suit the NFL game more.
Its sort of interesting in that some photo’s of him in training shows he doesn’t look that bad, yet others makes him look broader and more stout.
60’s has mentioned that in some of the training he has watched that JH seems to have not lost a lot of speed if at all. (if I have read and remembered correctly) As I remember Jaryd in his playing days with the eels, he seemed to run fast enough to avoid being caught/tackled at his said peak, if he can still do the same then not much to concern ourselves with.
He would have to be pretty overweight for his straight line speed to be affected. The main reason he would need to slim down would be for his lateral movement (important for defending at centre) and his work rate (essential for a spine player in attack). If he’s going to play wing he can stay big.