Another day. Another opposed session.
You could be forgiven for thinking “here we go, more of the same.”
However, you’d be wrong.
This was a vastly different opposed session with a result reflective of the different approach.
The attack was a bit more adventurous, and the refereeing was on-song. In fact, the Eels should definitely petition the NRL to allow Joey Grima to officiate at their matches. He’s an honest man and his refereeing wouldn’t be impacted by his role with the club! Joey’s line drop-out call without the aid of a replay was sensational.
Hayne looking good at centre.
With both Norman and Moses absent from this session (nothing to read into this at all) there were a host of new faces in the halves. Will Smith was an obvious choice to fill in a spot, but Reed Mahoney was somewhat unexpected. Hayne was back to the centres and threatened the defence with most touches.
Here’s how the session went down:
Defence
After warming up, the squad spent an extended period on the tackle bags.
When most followers think of the modern game of rugby league, they usually associate the defence with wrestling. Given the techniques used in the middle third of the field, this is a reasonable call.
In contrast, the tackling drill today was like a throwback to the old days.
With tackling bags in use, the players launched themselves like missiles at their target, with the sound of the impact echoing around the field.
No doubt, “old school” supporters would have been smiling as the bags crumpled under the collision. The players’ shoulders were driving into a target zone that would have been around the waist of their opponents. It’s fantastic to know that the squad will have traditional rugby league tackling in their kit bag, and thereby avoiding the arm grab in one-on-one tackles.
The Opposed Work
Yesterday it was the defence that stole the show. This morning it was most assuredly the attack.
Not that there was any less purpose in the defence – try telling Beau Scott to take it easy. Indeed, one poor soul (who I couldn’t identify) felt the full brunt of Scott brutally finishing a tackle over the top.
It seems as if the intensity of the contact at opposed sessions is shaped by the challenge thrown at the defence. When the attack is simply working through their shapes at a well organised line, the runners back off the power.
However, if a runner spots a hole in the defence or an opportunity to score, then it’s tackle me if you can. There were quite a few of those moments today and consequently some solid collisions.
Beau Scott – no half measures – ever!
Yet in mentioning Scott in defence, I also have to give his attack a wrap. Running off what appeared to be a Suaia Matagi pass, Scott ran an aggressive unders line to crash through the defenders and score beside the posts.
While on the subject of experienced players, Hayne also threatened numerous times with his charges from centre and was also rewarded with a try for his efforts.
There was the clash of the dummy half styles too. Cam King looked confident and composed as he delivered quality ball from the ruck. On the other side of the field Kaysa Pritchard was a constant menace with his darts, one of which resulted in a try.
Bev and Kenny dominated today’s session.
But the two standout performers were probably Bevan French and Kenny Edwards. Playing on the same team, both delivered superb grubber kicks for tries. And wasn’t Kenny pleased with the result of his kick!
This super fit version of Edwards seems to have an extra yard of pace and consequently the capacity to create an extra yard of space. He looked likely to put something on with every touch.
Bevan French, version 2018, looks a very confident commodity. Taking on the fullback role, the try scoring freak became the creative custodian as he played like an extra half. I lost count of his touches as he seemed to be involved multiple times in every set.
If I had to select a solitary player of the session, it would go to Bevan.
The execution today wasn’t always perfect. There were a few too many incomplete sets which would have displeased the coaches, and a couple of kick-off errors would have left BA fuming.
When the session concluded there was the usual extras to finish proceedings, with a number of players required to complete additional conditioning. A few of the squad then came over to meet Cameron, a young fan visiting from Queensland. The young fella had poor timing – breaking his foot on school holidays – but his cast is going to be a keepsake after scoring a few signatures.
Eels forever!
Sixties
How did Mahoney look in the half?
Thought he was a natural 9
Did a fair job, but I agree, he’s a natural 9.
We just get more and more good reports on the training, thanks 60’s you are doing a great job indeed.
I wonder with all this different training aspects especially with the two main halves being out of this main session, whether BA is looking at different options should one of them go down, having Mahoney in the play with Smith is a pointer perhaps to them working together more at Wenty than in top grade at the moment.
With Hayne playing in a centre position it probably is a pointer to the future. Having KE fitter is a real plus as he did show some good running bursts last year, and perhaps better this year.
Bevan I believe is wanting to make up for his injury ravaged season last year, an excitement machine indeed.
I wouldn’t read too much into Mahoney filling in there Col. He did fine but he’s very much a dummy half. Will Smith, on the other hand, is a genuine option for multiple positions, which is why he’s ideal for the bench.
Try not to read too much into things as always a state of flux in many ways.
Although, I think its an encouraging sign to see these young future players training with the top players, and I gather not just holding their own but, showing their talents as well, been a long time between these happenings especially on the scale we are seeing it.
Thank you for the update, my footy withdrawals have slightly subsided for a few hours. I’m content knowing the boys training the house down.
I understand those withdrawals mate. These sessions are my fix!
Good stuff! What side of the field was Hayne on?
Thanks Pou. Left.
Cheers mate. How about Takairangi? Was he playing centre?
Bearing in mind the difficulty of tracking 26 players, unnumbered, with plenty of play at the far end of the field, I would have said that Taka spent time in the back row. He’s also been in a centre role at previous sessions. I’m not seeing any firm decisions yet eg Hayne has played at centre, fullback and halves, and during the pre-season there’s often a bit of shifting – French has played in the halves in past pre-season opposed sessions.
Yeah I wouldn’t expect the side to be settled yet, but seeing where blokes are lining up at training at least gives some indication of how the coach sees his options. So much depth!
Yeah, left was always going to be JH, on the wing or at centre, his best work in State of Origin was always on the left. In fact I think he won a MOM on the left wing, if not he should have done! I recall him playing on the right to accommodate the Morris boys and it often left JH posted.
Where did Taka play Sixties?
I like the look of the adult rig Bevan is now flaunting too! He never lacked ticker and will now undoubtedly be able to add a bit more venom!
Great report mate, thanks for keeping us informed.
Thanks Rowdy – I’ve answered about Taka above, but you know what it’s like trying to track all 26 players out on the field during training when they aren’t close up and don’t wear numbers. You pick a few players to monitor, big moments then catch your eye, but you can miss something like the important defensive decisions in the middle. The coaches have film from the drone to help them, so as Tim Mannah says, the person you have to keep happy is the coach.
Bevan has definitely added some muscle to his frame, but looks just as fast.
I would like to attend a training session but I have about an hour drive. is there a regular time the training starts?
Love the site.
Cheers mate. Times can vary and they even do some off site training during pre-season.
Check your email
Hi sixty
Watching body language does it look like a different HAYNE ? Is he buying into the new culture and just one of the boys or is still HAYNE and aloof ?
Really worry about the TAKA fall out as he is very popular member of the squad and bit of glue that keeps it all together. Cant see him making the team to be honest.
Great Report as always mate.
Cheers Paul. From what I see and hear, Hayne has bought in big time.
Have a listen to Big D’s interview because he discusses this.
Can’t wait to see Bevan back at FB. Reason being that if he can displace Gutho it is because he is playing better football.
Gutho is one of my favourite players and a big part of the future of the club wherever he ends up playing. However I believe that Bevan is something special and will ultimately be our FB
I still see Bevan as a winger, even though he can be a great fullback. I just believe he can bring a new dimension to wing play.
I agree Sixties, Bevan can be just like his famous “uncle midget” who went fro half to wing and back to the halves as a 5/8. Preston actually killed it on the wing with his elusive running and speed. There is plenty of time for BF to develop on the wing breaking try scoring records while he’s at it!
Dare I say it….”Sounds like the best pre-season ever”.
That is OK so long as you don’t call it the toughest ever
THANKS AGAIN Sixties oops caps lock.
I think the pre season for me has shown how many options we have its as simple as that. While we can all guess the make up of the final 17; it’ll depend on injuries and of course team combinations. For example playing Melbourne compared to wests tigers would probably mean 2 different team combinations depending on injuries to key positions.
To me Hayne will be centre unless Guth takes a while to come back which seems to be the case. I only hope the fwds play well; that’s the key for me.
Good read sixties my son.
Just some information for you. My spy in manly has told me the John falou has been signed to play with there feeder side on a 1year deal. My sauce is 90% correct most times. He gave me the choc n foz signings n also the Darcy n gower info.
Anyhow the more I read n see will smith play the more I see of him being in the 17. I think we should re-sign him for 2 more years.
Any news on when n if eels are looking to lock up browny b4 he walks out the door.
#Eels4life#
Rev, he signed with Blacktown a Manly feeder club.
He’s got some more ex Eels people there to keep things familiar.
Yes I do believe that is true sixties.
John falou.
Jonno wright.
Darcy lussick.
Kelipi tanginoa.
Not sure of any one else.
Jakob Loko, Vai Toutai.
Vai toutai … That’s we’re his at thought he went to SL ….
Thanks for that sixties.
Loko they must be playing him in the forwards.
Last time I saw he was fighting tafua in Martin pl …..think they both his the grog that night ….lol
That’s the side I was thinking of thanks my brother Colin.