Are you a diehard Eels supporter?
Over the tennis, cricket, A League?
Is the off-season too long?
Hanging out for your footy?
If you found yourself nodding to any or all of the above questions, then Old Saleyards was the place to be this morning.
The first referee controlled, full field, opposed session of this pre-season provided its share of entertainment, not to mention an opportunity for the coaches to assess how the squad is travelling from a football perspective.
Last year’s NRL Grand Final referee, Gerard Sutton, headed the officials in control, and there was the odd penalty blown.
With plenty of the action taking place at the opposite end to our vantage point, identifying players was a challenge. Nonetheless, there was plenty to feel encouraged about during this session.
Here’s how it unfolded:
Conditioning
There was about 45 to 50 minutes of running mechanics and conditioning. I was particularly impressed by both the organisation and the variety of today’s work.
In addition to the regular core strength stretches and runs, there were fun games and highly coordinated sprint sequences. Watching the range of drills employed by Lachlan Wilmot, and how synchronised the squad were in their execution, really emphasised the buy-in of the players.
Kenny Edwards looks to be in outstanding shape.
There were no long distance runs involved today, which would suggest that there was a reduced emphasis on endurance. However, given that the sets continued for the best part of an hour, there was little doubt that there was serious conditioning taking place.
In previous seasons I’ve praised the fitness of the referees. Watching the whistle blowers prepare for this session, I’d again have to acknowledge their work ethic. For the entire duration of the Eels conditioning time, the referees ran and ran and ran. I might be critical of their calls throughout the season, but I can’t question their physical preparation.
The Opposed Work
It was a return to the blue vs the green as the squad split into two teams. The talent was split between both teams for the contest. The significant omission of Mitch Moses (on a light workload today – no injury concerns), opened the door for Jarryd Hayne to play in the halves. Don’t read too much into this.
What a contest it was!
Norman drops the ball off to a charging Tepai.
Even though opposed sessions are often contrived, with re-starts at set field positions or repeat possession determined rather than earned, they nonetheless provide an opportunity to test the defence or work through shapes and plays.
Today the defence of both teams was outstanding.
Let me elaborate by praising the attack.
Plenty of questions were asked of the defenders, both individually and as a unit. The ball was shifted, unders and overs were run, and the spines of both teams were heavily involved. There was high energy and the execution was crisp.
Every time it looked like an opportunity had been created, the defence adjusted and the attack was shut down. It’s important to again emphasise that this was a reflection of the defence as there were few times when unforced errors ended an attacking set.
Another feature of today’s session was the talk. Right across the field there was a chorus of voices calling plays or communicating in defence. Sideline reporters regularly make judgements about a team’s energy by referring tho the amount of talk. There was plenty to hear at Old Salesyard this morning.
Such was the form across the park, that it was difficult to isolate players for praise. It’s the ideal scenario in a team sport to have the group functioning as a whole rather than as a collection of Individuals.
It was a great session, and this off season didn’t feel too long today.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Love these updates! When are they training Friday?
Cheers mate. Check your email.
Trivic report again Sixties. I like the idea of MM not having to face the full brunt of contested D at this stage of the preseason even if he is only on “light duties”.
With the addition of Hayne we have so many options in our backline to not only cover for injuries but it also creates an atmosphere of competition from fullback to halfback. We know Jarryd can play anywhere in the backline, but being able to run him in the halves around our structures would be encouraging for him and BA methinks!
PS: I have two daughters and a spouse (all sheilas) who are well versed in their rugby league, but at the risk of being incorrectly accused of misogyny, I just read another sound, considered, even articulate appraisal of a rugby league interview from that Sheila Shelley! She’s gotta have some Y chromosomes hasn’t she? That’s just about the biggest, sincere and fairdinkum wrap I could give the girl. Eloquence escapes me.
Her replies are always intelligent Rowdy. Like yourself, Shelley knows what she’s talking about.
Thank you.
I am lucky to have a grandfather who has a brilliant footy brain, he coached for 30 + years straight in Parra junior league and was probably before his time in thinking girls can like and be taught about footy as well.
He is 92 but still so sharp with his mind and as a child he took me to almost every home game and most away games, with my elder brothers and dad( if he was not working) and we sat on the hill behind the goalpost as he believed and still does you can see best from behind the post the structures, player defensive choices and patterns teams are trying to employ. His commentaries delivered to us were highly entertaining and informative. I try to replicate this with my son and take him to as many games as we can, but love when my grandfather is able to come to the games as he is simply one of a kind.
He is a huge parra fan but also loves looking at the skill, structures and patterns played by different teams. He taught us to be avid Parra fans but not just yell and scream but appreciate what is being done or trying to be done with some of our poorer teams over the years, win, loose or draw.
In saying that I am no expert ( far from it) just someone who appreciates that much work and planning goes into a game, probably more so after a bad performance.
60s how long before Gutho trains with group do you think? Next training can you give a good report on Brown beside Gutho he has grown to be my favourite player besides Gutho and Manu.
I also wouldnt be surprised if Mitch takes the Captaincy this year of Timmy.
I don’t think a captaincy change is likely, but Mitch Moses was nominated by Tim as the on-field intelligence. The halves need to be leaders even without the C next to his name.
I’ll keep a close watch on Nathan Brown next week.
Well. the best part of this means the real stuff is getting so much closer.
A couple of questions though regarding the refs.
I like the idea of the refs going to these training sessions, as it gives a real game feel about them, last year though it seemed that while penalties at training were given, in actual games themselves penalties appeared to be more than seen at training.
So do the players or refs switch modes when in the middle, training for a match which helps their fitness and game feel?
Do the refs, or their head come to training and have an open session with coach, players and affected club officials to explain any new rules and interpretations of them?
Would it not be beneficial for the refs, be that the individuals or boss to also explain to coach why certain penalties, the controversial or the like were given?
We have seen over the time that BA is very reserved when talking about penalties and trying not to blame refs for decisions but it would be good for the refs to make some sort of disclosure or even a match report of the game they have controlled which would include the controversial penalties, and have the specific clubs given a copy of it.
Well said Col, and I agree on that hey need to explain a few things.
From my limited views I saw two refs and another ex ref there at training; but I didn’t see any conferring. This may occur at other times and sixties and co would know more.
Was good to see the opposed and view this in terms of set plays and defence structure. Was v pleased with the efforts particularly in the backs defence which is hard to read at times.
Was great to see the session.
They looked good and the warm up session was great to see in terms of changes from prior season.
Thanks Sixties and co
Thanks Mitchy
I was at a training session last year that had a ref there and met 60’s on the day, so it was a good morning all round for my wife and I.
I certainly appreciate the work that 60’s and all put into these reports, and really look forward to them will be up on the Gold Coast next week so wont get to read anything until we get back, unless there is a computer for guests use.
I really believe there is a need for more openness between refs and coaches as well as the players, nothing spoils a game when poor penalties are given and especially so when it is so often one sided, and it would be great for the game overall for some better means for the club and refs to be able to discuss the issues, saves some of the rants we see from certain coaches but some seem to get results while others not as a consequence of them.
Spot on Col. I don’t know why they don’t just make C Smith the go between for players and refs…..there is a disparity each season between the top teams and bottom teams it would appear in terms of penalties etc. I know some things are perception but the calls at times are quite hard to fathom.
Appreciate your support Col.
Always good to see you at training mate. It was a great defensive session.
Col whilst BA may not question the referees at the presser, I have no doubt that he goes thru the correct channels after the game and stringently gets his point across.
John I also believe that to be the case, but I also believe that there needs to be more face to face meetings between the coaches and refs, for both to be able to air their views and to get some sort of certainties in regards to penalties.
Col, I’m all for having refs at training to explain interpretations and provide officiating that’s as realistic as possible. This works for both the clubs and the refs. However, it’s my belief that the match pressure gets to both the discipline of a team and the control of the refs. Any tip sheets that may exist for refs might also have them watching out for particular indiscretions from particular teams.
I know there’s always been the official line of communication between the clubs and the refs bosses after matches.
I believe that Parra have become a disciplined team. It’s my hope that we can start to earn penalties that we’ve deserved.
60’s Cannot disagree however, the part that is the burr under my saddle is a certain couple of refs who IIRC one of whom was at the day last year when I was there, seemed ok on the training paddock but at main match day. Well, that’s another story.
The issue with it all is consistency, we talk about it and see it being a huge part of our teams work and play ethic, no doubt drummed and drilled into them but, seems the brain explosions and dumb play seem to be compounded same issues with the man with the pea.
As the photo says Kenny Edwards does look in good shape. By the look of it has dropped a few Kg’s. This will help his game a lot I feel.
Kenny looks in much better shape than when I saw him at training on November 24. Photo shows how hard he has been working.
Agree, although there are some who are not happy with players who are small, and Kenny may fit into that sort of profile.
BA will not be one of them
And he’s the one that counts John.