The footy focus rolled on at Saleyards this morning with more opposed work on the agenda. There was plenty to watch as the team honed their form in the red zone – attack and defence.
Accordingly, the combinations were on show via rapid ball movement and a batch of set plays. This was countered by some powerful collisions that echoed around the complex.
This was a vastly different opposed session to the day before. More on this later.
Here’s how the session unfolded:
Warm Up and Skills – TGIF?
It’s possible that Friday brings out some extra animation in the squad, but whatever the reason the team seemed really hyped during the warm up and skills.
That Mohawk
As they transitioned into their grid work, and each group had one tackle to score a try against a shortened defence, the extroverts and the excellence rose to the top.
The Corey strut and banter. Woooooooo!
The Hayne hype. (If not the haircut) We’re here to score tries!
The Moses magic. The passes, the acceleration.
The fellas were talking it up a treat, but matching it big time with focussed execution. It was a good lead in to the opposed section.
Red Zone
This was not a full field opposed hit out. Unlike yesterday the work remained around the 20m zone, with each team (blue and green) having extended periods in possession. Of course this meant that their opponents would be required to face the same extended periods in defence.
The ball in two hands – on the attack!
The benefit of this was introducing the defence to the frustration of repeat sets. Equally, holding out the team in possession could both buoy the defenders and frustrate the attackers. The key was to stick to and trust the processes.
These repeat sets were contrived. Play would be re-started from line drop outs, scrums, penalty taps – in much the same way as the team might face in a match.
There were some efforts worth noting.
* Boom Crash Marata
I’ve been looking at Marata Niukore as a potential middle forward (check out Mitch’s in depth look at Marata here in The Watchlist). He’s bulked up, he’s trained in the forwards group and he’s defended in the middle in earlier sessions. However, in the last few opposed hit outs he’s found himself out in the centres. He’s no stranger to helping out in this spot, given the number of forwards in the top squad.
Today, two of his rhino-like charges out wide led to two tries for the greens. It should also be added that the defence didn’t hold back as he required treatment for some “treatment” he received to his head as he bulldozed over for the second try.
It was another timely reminder of his versatility.
* The Show
Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses were on song in a big way today. Passing, kicking, taking on the line, combining – it was all on display.
The incredible thing about watching some of the set pieces, and Will Smith also delivered some of his own magic in this regard, is that the defence knows it’s coming. But when the execution is perfect, it’s just extremely difficult to shut down.
The impressive quality of both of our halves is that they have many strings to their bows. Both have dangerous attacking kicks, both have elite passing games, both are elusive runners and both have the capacity to play what’s in front of them and the requisite confidence to take the shot.
There were plenty of shots fired today.
* The Dummy Halves
The contrast in style of the two contenders for the 9 jersey was evident this morning. Both were outstanding in vastly different ways, and both crossed for tries.
Kaysa was at his explosive best for the greens. He is one of the fastest at the club over 40 metres and he put this to maximum use as he challenged the defence with multiple darts out from the ruck. The play was at the opposite end of the field to my vantage point and I had to keep checking whether it was Kaysa or Wilbur, such was his acceleration.
Precision delivery.
Cameron King is just a class act with his composure and service. This is crucial to the roles of Norman and Moses and it was no coincidence that league pundits began to take note of Moses’ skill set after he linked with Parra and Kingy. There is literally a sixth sense in his work with halves who often make late changes to the point of their attack.
* Manu On Fire
Its fair to say that the back end of last season was not a memorable one for fan favourite Manu Ma’u. It appears as if he’s all out to rectify that this year.
Bursting into the clear at training.
This has easily been the best pre-season that I’ve seen from the back rower. Just to be clear, this is no negative reflection on past years – rather it’s indicative of the power he’s delivering on the training paddock this year. His carries have been all pace and aggression. His lines have been almost unstoppable. Would you want to defend against a fired up Manu Ma’u?
* Bevan French
Bevan French was simply Bevan French. Perhaps I should leave it at that. I won’t.
“Where did he come from?”
“Who threw that?”
“Whoa”
Maybe those comments from my fellow attendees sum it up best.
Another week of pre-season done and dusted. The premiership opener another week closer.
Wooooo!
Eels forever!
Sixties
Thanks sixties, I’m getting a bit excited now.
Cheers Nonna. Bring on the kick off!
Hi Sixties,
Great reporting again.
Great to hear Mau is getting back to his best.
How is Hayne travelling? I did see he was in the pics this time of the Eels site.
Is he showing his silky passing and elusiveness skills?
Still a big fan of the Hayne Plane.
Vince
Cheers Vince. He’s been a big part of the last two contact sessions. To my eye, he’s lost none of his explosive pace. He’s like Michael Jennings with extra ball skills.
Noice, thanks, Sixties,
So we probably made up for the loss of Semi but a different skill set.
Can’t wait.
Vince
The reports are just fantastic sixties. I hope you realise just how much they are appreciated. Just on Semi, he may have signed with another French Rugby club but wasn’t the plan for him to come back and play for us in their off season? Nothing should have changed from that perspective regardless of whether he has changed clubs. I hope we are still pursuing that option. It would be a nice little earner for him with us in between Rugby seasons.
I don’t know whether that is possible now PT. I’ve come to terms with Semi being gone. It’s easier with him being in a different code.
I don’t think we will ever see semi again in a eels jumpers. It’s all about the money for players today.
I think it’s time we made karisome our new semi.
#Eels4life#
I would be surprised to see Semi return too, unfortunately.
Sixties you seem to be mentioning Smith a lot in your reports. Seems like he is having a good off season. Maybe he is intent on making it difficult for BA to leave him out.
I hope so
He’s been a standout at training John. I can’t see him missing out.
Hairs on the back of my neck are standing up again after reading another fantastic report.
I so look forward to these articles – CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THEM.
Buggar the off season, hate it…but your reports make it easier to ‘get through’..
Cheers Pete. I thoroughly enjoy being able to do this.
Thanks for these reports Sixties, much appreciated ! I am looking to come down to training a few mornings over the next few weeks. Look forward to catching up with you.
Thanks mate. Look forward to it.
Definitely the best read sports I’ve had for sometime, maybe ever. Huge credit to sixties.
Just an idea, I also think many would welcome a possible Wentworthvile line up report, as there’s been a few new arrivals and players coming up from the 20s.
Also can’t wait for Forty’s junior reports.
CHIEF Posted the previous post 👆⬆
Chief, we watched a Wenty vs under 20s opposed on Thursday night at Saleyards. Just like the earlier NRL refs in the Eels opposed session, the NSWRL referee blew the pea out of the whistle in the play the ball – I estimate something like 20 times and that’s no exaggeration.
It was impossible to track the players for Wenty as there were close to 40 of them (ISP, RM and Shield).
We will be attending the Wenty and 20s trial next Thursday at Ringrose, and will likely report on that.
With 28-30 Eels players in full time training, plus the development contract players, you’d assume that the ideal world sees very few Wenty contracts playing ISP. – maybe 3 or 4. Injuries will happen so more will play, but there will still be up to 36 plays on Eels contracts for Parra and Wenty to select.
Echoing the centements above 60’s. You know I love your work!
Thanks Jack.
Awesome again sixties. Love your work mate.
The fellas are really enjoying their work right now, Pou. Plenty of footy being played.
Superb read again mate. Are we seeing a little more game skills / ballwork focused sessions? With more game type simulation?
Is Trex back in the mix of the ballwork?
Yes mate. And to be fair, it’s getting close to needing to have some idea about selections to work on combinations as much as possible.
Not this week.
Cheers mate and hope the celebrations today went well without any police involvement…👍