The extreme heat forecast for later today resulted in changes to this weekend’s Junior Rep trials at St Patrick’s, Blacktown. The Tarsha Gale Cup and SG Ball matches were moved to Friday evening, with today’s Harold Matts and 15s Development trials kicking off at 8:30am.
The Eels brain trust, including Brad Arthur, Joey Grima, Peter Sharp, Anthony Field and Bernie Gurr were all in attendance, indicating the importance that the club places on the elite junior program.
With Forty20 unable to attend these matches, I’ve done my best to provide some notes on the only matches I watched, the Harold Matthews trials. I am no Forty20 (nobody is) and am working from recall, so please bear with me.
Team Performance
I don’t have any background information as to whether the Panthers were missing significant players. Assuming that the majority of their first choice players were on display, the impression is that a yawning chasm exists between the Eels and the Panthers.
The result of Trial 1 (50 minutes) was a 9 tries to 1 victory to the Eels.
The first forty minutes of this clash was remarkably cohesive and polished. The young Eels executed plays that could nearly be equated with NRL teams. It was obvious that, even at this stage of the year, they are a well coached unit. The Eels NRL staff have been involved in the coaching this elite group and ultimately there will be both immediate and long term benefits from a whole club philosophy.
The Blue & Golds laid the foundation with a power game from the pack – and there was little respite for Penrith when the interchange players took the field. The Eels forwards are big, mobile and disciplined. The spine provided the controlled guidance.
The middle forwards in particular were a handful, and continually bent or broke the defensive line. In the early part of the game, this came from structured plays around Jake Arthur. The drop off to a rampaging forward hitting a hole caused the greatest damage inside the quarter and created first half tries.
As the game progressed, the Eels ball control and power running took its toll on the Penrith defenders and the game opened up with offloads and second phase play. After the score hit 9 tries to one, the Eels attack became a little scrappy – understandable given the heat and the replacement of Arthur.
As impressive as the Eels attack was, the biggest accolades must be handed out to the defence. To my eye, the technique of the forwards was near perfect. The pack dominated their opponents in impact and on the ground and the synchronicity of the defenders peeling off the tackled player was reminiscent of a first grade contest. It was a stark contrast to their Panthers counterparts.
The second trial match featured players who had limited opportunities to train together prior to the match. For the Eels, there were a group of young footballers who have been brought here from as far afield as Darwin, Christchurch and Dalby.
The Panthers took the early ascendancy, breaking out to a three tries to nil lead. The introduction of a few players for the Eels saw a more controlled performance and a complete shift in the momentum. Ultimately the Eels took the match by 5 tries to 4.
Standouts
It’s difficult, if not unfair, to single out performances in a junior trial, especially when I’m not relying on notes to comment. My apologies to players deserving of a mention that I might have missed.
I really want to praise the pack as a unit. If I was to single out players, I thought that the starting middle forwards Trey Mooney, Peter Taateo and Caleb Tohi set the platform in the early part of the match.
Jake Arthur and Sam Loizou provided good direction in the halves, with Arthur notching up a few try assists as he showcased his passing game.
When introduced, the bench forwards – Raukete, Tonu and Betham-Misa, maintained the power game through the middle.
The second game was not quite at the same standard, but halves Logan Jones and Josh Chappell made a good impression when introduced and Matti Moyle (from Darwin) was busy and aggressive off the bench.
Footnote
I understand that the SG Ball lost their trial by five tries to two on Friday night. Although there were a significant number of eligible players unavailable for this match, the coaching staff would have been looking for a better performance.
My thanks to Big Derek and Parrathruandthru for their assistance and observations today
It’s all on again next Saturday at Terry Lamb Reserve.
Eels forever!
Sixties
TCT- the site that never sleeps…Thanks again..
It’s starting to feel that way Pete!!!
Sadly, I don’t think I’ll be able to catch any of the junior reps this year. I’ll have to wait for the draw. Lucky there is TCT to fill me in.
By the way Sixties, how did the 15s fare? I know you didn’t watch their game, but did you happen to catch the score?
I’ll chase that up for you mate.
Think 15’s won 11-6 tries
Thanks Mitchy. It sounds like there’s plenty more good talent waiting in the wings for next year’s 16s. From what I know, this year’s team will be very hard to beat. The Roosters might be the main challenger, if they play all their imports.
The 15s trial was actually broken up into 2 matches.
The Eels spread their talent across both teams. The Panthers selected a decidedly stronger first team.
Match 1 was a 4 tries to 1 victory to Penrith.
Match 2 was a 10 tries to 2 victory to the Eels.
Overall 11 to 6 across both hit outs.
Achilles i didn’t see any but asked a good mate who is with one of the teams; he said 16’s and 15’s both played v well.
I wont comment about Easts as it would ban me from TCT……suffice to say they are a joke.
I think as 60’s said the coaching of players is v high and skilful; and i also have to say from what i know and its not much, the identification of kids 14/15’s has been v good.
Spot on Mitchy. That talent identification process of Fieldsy has been outstanding. The mix of local products and recruits is providing a breadth of talent across the junior rep system.
Anyone that hasn’t listened to our Tip sheet interview with Fieldsy needs to rectify that. The investment that BA is putting into the junior development and the coaching that they receive is setting up the future of the club.
By the way Mitchy, thanks for getting that feedback from your mate.
Thanks mate; i was chasing him during the day and think he was well and truly tired from the morning; he was v happy with the trial.
It’s good to see some of the names mentioned come through.
Onya sixties
Thanks mate. It was a good morning. Spent some time speaking with Bernie, Fieldsy, Joey Grima and of course Big D. This was only a trial, but the investment of key decision makers in the junior program is something that should make all supporters confident about the future that is being created.
You Sir Sixties are a champion as is this site ! Thanks again mate for keeping us up to date with all things on field about our eels…much appreciated.
Are you suggesting a knighthood Conway? In all seriousness, I’ll always defer to Forty when it comes to covering junior rep talent. Without the need to check the video, he can simultaneously analyse match patterns in addition to tracking individual performances and skill traits. The man can touch type live match descriptions whilst holding conversations with annoying people like me!
Thanks for the write up 60’s. Unfortunately due to a big Friday night I was unable to wake up in time for the game. I look forward to reading your reports next week for the trial against the dogs.
Cheers mate. Yes down a couple of regulars and you give Forty a run for his money with junior rep knowledge. Hopefully we can catch up next week.
Great Stuff. Ta 60s.
I see a similarity with BA and his boy similar to Cleary and son. How old is the young fellow and how do you think his future is looking.?
How astute is your comment! I was only just speaking with someone about the similarities between aspects of Cleary’s game and aspects of Jake’s.
Just like Cleary, Jake will also have to deal with being the son of a coach – as plenty of sons of players and coaches have discovered.
His future?
It’s too early to burden him with expectations – he’s about to participate in his first district reps campaign.
Plenty of good young halves go through junior reps without playing NRL. At this age, kids aiming for an NRL career need to be dedicated and prepared to train hard to make the most of their opportunities – something that he obviously does – but overburdening them with expectations is something I reckon we need to be conscious of.
Jake is 16 this year, and has come through the development squad system. His fitness is well advanced, having finished third in the recent NRL squad 2km time trial.
At the moment his game is all about game management – a trait essential for any half. He possesses a good pass on both sides and an accurate kick. He’s a very slender build but can take a hit – he appeared to be targetted for some heavy shots yesterday.
Thanks for the report. Having everyone there is important as it shows a whole club focus. To quote Big D ‘without the juniors you don’t have the NRL.’
I think in the past we have focussed so much on winning the junior comps but not so much on how they progressed to grade or perhaps coaching them properly to give them the best chance to make the big step to NRL. Hence we often kept the wrong players, just so we could win the junior comps, because they were the junior stars, but they often could not make the step to grade.
Winning junior comps is good and of course an aim but having a clear path that consistently produces good junior results with kids who progress to grade will be far more favourable for the club and in itself will attract more parents and talented kids to the club.
Nailed again Shelley.
There is a focus on developing future NRL stars for our club. Its what the junior rep program should provide.
Thanks Sixties.Well done Fieldsy and all the coaching staffs involved we are heading in the right direction,and this should see our club remain where it should be at the top for many years to come.
Agreed Gianni. Hope you’re travelling well mate.