The Cumberland Throw

Eels Pre-Season Report Card – 2018

Pre-season 2018 has now officially ended.

Friday’s captain’s run drew a line in the sand between general training and match specific preparation. After this week, the Eels get down to the business of preparing for Round 1 opponents, the Penrith Panthers.

Back on November 10, I reported on the first week of pre-season training. The Rugby League World Cup was playing havoc with the availability of players for their clubs and only 10 players returned to that first week at Old Saleyards.

There was no hiding in the group as the staff outnumbered the players! One of those staff was the new Head of Athletic Performance, Lachlan Wilmot. He and his staff, Nathan and Josh, began the journey of introducing running mechanics and its associated drills to the players. A new method of conditioning also became a key component of the sessions.

Since those early weeks, we’ve witnessed the training progress from the demanding conditioning, to a conclusion of footy preparation. Every pre-season for every team is tough. For the Eels, it’s been unlike any I’ve witnessed.

Here’s my report on the performances over the pre-season:

Conditioning

Lachlan Wilmot and his staff have been arguably the best signatures for the Eels this year. Without question, the players are in superb physical condition, and many appear to have changed their body shape. This is especially true of the forwards, and props like Danny Alvaro and Tim Mannah have been among the leaders in endurance work.

The sports science aspect aims to maximise performance across the entire season, rather than just having them as fit as they can be to kick-start the year.

Gutho working over the hurdles back in November.

It also involves developing core strengths and balance for moments in the game when players are in a less than ideal position to respond with power. The technical aspects and associated drills also have an element of “pre-habilitation” – lessening the likelihood of particular injuries.

Balancing the physical workload across each day, and across the week is of paramount importance. Planning the workload for the season proper then becomes significant to ensure than performance across the year remains high. The hills at Lake Gillawarna were a weekly feature through the early part of the pre-season, but they were balanced with lighter days.

Rugby league is a demanding sport and players have to respond to the physical and psychological challenges of a long season – firstly to qualify for finals, then to be in their best condition during the big games. Even during this pre-season, the conditioning work changed in February as the season opener became closer.

I have the utmost confidence that the supporters will witness an extremely fit and energised Eels team in 2018.

Skills

First and foremost, the Eels are blessed with the guru of skills coaches in Joey Grima. Joey has that gift of being able to break down a particular rugby league skill into its basic elements and then develop a range of drills to enhance a player’s execution.

Sometimes you can watch Joey and wonder what on earth lifting a weighted tin of baby formula would do, why a player would need to bounce a tennis ball on a football, or how kneeling and passing a ball under you legs would ever be beneficial. A quick explanation from the man himself and you inevitably respond with “ahhhh”.

Every player in the team, no matter the position, is expected to be able to use the football. So yes, the basics of catching out in front and passing correctly require drilling. Certain players might demonstrate the potential for advanced skills. The coaching will open up those opportunities to learn.

With Peter Gentle having moved to the Rabbitohs, Brad Arthur added forwards coach to his role as Head Coach. Steve Murphy continues his role as backs coach (and probably chief motivator – the man is energy personified). The advantage of having a skills coach on the roster is that Joey Grima can also take groups of forwards or backs for position specific drills.

As the pre-season progressed, and BA, Murf and Joey drilled Parra’s plays, you could see the skills development come to the fore. Even opposed sessions demonstrated that the squad were executing what was being coached.

The staff have worked like a well oiled machine. I only witnessed the field sessions, but even then there were multiple activities happening simultaneously – rehab, conditioning, skills, individual, group.

Perhaps BA’s greatest strength is the faith that he has in his staff. It means that coaching is a genuine team effort.

Player Ratings
This week I rated the effort and execution of the players and came up with my 3,2,1 for the pre-season. It takes into account effort and application in condition and skills drills, as well as execution in opposed sessions.

Coincidentally, I asked for a rating from my colleague at training – Parrathruandthru, and he provided an identical 3, 2, 1. Here it is:

3: Will Smith

Smith has been a standout in effort and execution.

Will was in rehab throughout all of last year’s pre-season.
Talk to anyone involved in the game and they’ll vouch for the important impact that pre-seasons have on the development of players. Smith could turn out to be the prime example.

From conditioning, to skills, Smith has caught the eye. His versatility in covering everything from 1 to 7 (plus 9) in the opposed sessions has been impressive. I remain convinced that BA will try to find a spot for him somewhere in the 17.

2: Daniel Alvaro

Arguably the poster boy for effort and application. Polar has always been renowned for having an outstanding attitude towards his preparation. If anything, his conditioning efforts have risen to another level this year – all the more remarkable when you consider his involvement in the RLWC.

During 2017, Danny discovered his aggressive streak, and didn’t that make an impact! This season you might see a few more strings added to his bow, including field goal specialist.

1: Reed Mahoney

This was his first NRL pre-season and he went from strength to strength. Always pushing to lead in conditioning, doing extra skills work, slotting into different roles during opposed sessions – the young bloke has made people sit up and take notice.

Reed showed the benefit of an NRL pre-season with an impressive ISP trial against the Bears. Last year’s NYC rake is a genuine prospect.

Must Mentions

Bevan French
I’ve been asked recently as to why I hadn’t focussed on French in my reports. The answer is simple – he has been consistently good.

In past years, he’s produced a wealth of flashy plays at training. Now, there’s no troughs from which he’s peaked. It’s a reduced margin between his best and his worst, (maybe “not best” is a better term than worst) and that margin is heading north.

Of particular importance is the way Bevan has found his voice. You can hear him barking orders from fullback. He’s always had a confidence about his ability – now he’s confident that he belongs in this team.

Tim Mannah

The captain addresses his team.

One of the elder statesmen in the squad, the co-captain has led by example and by instruction. He embraced every aspect of training and placed himself near the top in performance. Similarly, he delivered his own messages of expectations as a leader. You just expect this stuff from a thorough professional like Tim.

Kenny Edwards
The quiet achiever – believe it or not, that’s been Kenny. The woohoos, and the clowning have been replaced by a senior player focussed on his work, and barking out reminders during opposed sessions. He’s in the best physical shape of his career.

Cameron King

He’s earned the starting 9 jersey this weekend with his consistently high standards. Kaysa Pritchard has been given every opportunity to advance his claims, and produced some highlights with his explosiveness out of dummy half. It’s testimony to the quality of King’s dedication to conditioning, and his superb service and work around the ruck, that he retained the top job.

Clint Gutherson and Jaeman Salmon
The master and the apprentice. So much rehab, and ridiculous amounts of running. I’ve got to give these two a rap for not letting their heads do them in. Both have now transitioned into opposed work, but there’s still a way to go yet.

I Could Go On

The combination of Mitch Moses and Corey Norman continued to thrive during summer. I could easily nominate Norman for his effort during skills and conditioning but it just comes to easy to him! Moses is just a gun half and a great organiser.

Michael Jennings and Jarryd Hayne both returned to training late, but have excelled during opposed sessions. Each has completed additional fitness work. Jennings is a Rolls Royce at centre and Hayne is looking very fit. In fact, if I was rating the last three weeks, Hayne would feature in the 3,2,1.

The battle between the wingers – Josh Hoffman and Kirisome Auva’a has not yet resolved, with both getting a run in the trial. I’ve really noticed Hoff’s combination with Hayne, and there’s no denying how well Somi carries the footy on kick returns.

Brad Takairangi has earned a starting role in this week’s trial via his impressive opposed sessions, whilst Suaia Matagi has clinched a bench spot after previously playing in the Ringrose trial. Takairangi seems to have easily adjusted to a forwards role and has the ball skills to trouble the defence out wide. Like Takaz, Suaia has been one of the better performers in his opposed work and possesses some of the fastest hands in the club.

Nathan Brown is in impressive condition, which bodes well for his continuation of last year’s form. He just looks ready to rip in. Manu Ma’u barely missed a beat after his late return from RLWC and seems to have found an extra gear in his pace. He’s run some awesome lines during opposed work.

Tepai Moeroa appears to be stronger again this year, and his early pre-season work was impressive. He’s even been more of a talker on the field. A recent niggle saw him spend a bit of time in the rehab group and this may account for his bench role in the trial. Beau Scott was another to return late to pre-season, but from his first session he placed in the top half of the group in his conditioning. Beau’s professionalism is a fine example to the younger members of the squad.

Kane Evans had a hampered start to the pre-season with wrist and calf injuries, but it’s been action stations in recent weeks. His pace as a prop is stunning. A comment one day by Lachlan Wilmot summed up David Gower – “a bloke your age shouldn’t look that good”. Gowie is in great shape because he just rips in. And he was easily the best on field at the Ringrose trial.

Peni Terepo was another of the Eels squad to return late due to RLWC duties. The early conditioning sessions were a tough ask for the prop, but he’s now put himself well in the mix for selection. Kaysa Pritchard would easily be one of the fastest in the squad over 40 metres and is doing everything in his power to regain the top hooking job.

Siosaia Vave and Tony Williams have spent the pre-season in rehab. Williams injury from 2017 was well documented and his efforts have seen him strip considerable kilos off a frame that is still the largest in the club. Although he didn’t begin the year in rehab, Vave has spent the majority of his time there. Like Williams, all of the kilometres put into his legs has seen him drop weight.

I’ve dedicated an entire post to squad members such as Ray Stone, Dane Aukafolau, Nathan Davis, George Jennings, Greg Leleisiuao and Marata Niukore. You can find it here.

That’s your pre-season Eels supporters.

It’s been a tough one for the players, but I’m sure you’ll notice its impact in the performances this year.

I’ve enjoyed providing the training reports for TCT. From this point onwards, we’re into the 2018 season. Bring it on!

Eels forever!

Sixties

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44 thoughts on “Eels Pre-Season Report Card – 2018

  1. Colin Hussey

    60’S A top run down of the season and most of the players.

    I sense an exciting year ahead with a squad of players who will do the club proud.

    While I am sad to miss the trial up here in Maitland, I am glad in another way owing to the heat that is forecast and already showing it mid morning. Although if all goes to normal by around 1900 the breeze is quite cool and much more pleasant.

    The knights will provide a tough opposition, and for me, I sit in front of the Computer through the Eels streaming service.

  2. Rob

    I wish I wasn’t working tonight so I could watch the trial vs Knights. Will there be a TCT live commentary? 🙂 please?

  3. Joe Briffa

    Thanks mate as always very enjoyable. Now the real stuff begins now for todays game. Catch up soon mate have a good one

  4. Matthew Sweeney

    Take a bow mate you are a legend for your undying love of the eels and your astute appraisals of the pre season. Its hard to see the eels not making top 6 or higher this year. Cheers mate.

    1. sixties Post author

      Apart from the impact of Haynes departure before 2015, the side has improved every year. I’m quietly confident, but there’ll be some improved sides this season.

  5. Erbs

    Thanks Sixties,

    These reports are truly appreciated and makes the off-season more enjoyable.

    My only concern is that we start re-signing some of these blokes off contract.

    In particular Nathan Brown.

    Thanks again.

  6. ray

    Many Thanks Sixties, I’m always reading TCT reports & rarely comment but living 550kms away would just like to say I (as a long time Parra fan) appreciate your efforts, its great to know how the team is going behind the scenes.

  7. Glenn

    Have the ball skills of Alvaro, Mannah and Moeroa improved as they need to add that to their repertoire to become better players?

  8. Milo

    A thorough report again mate; and it will be interesting to see the make up the team as they roll on in 2 weeks or so. I seriously hope Trex and or Vave can have some impact during the season; as we seem a v fit team / squad but these two could seriously help with impact; will streaming in later on tonight and as Col said its quite warm up here this morning.

    1. sixties Post author

      Given the insane depth we put on show in the NRL trial last night, the addition of established first graders like Gutho, Williams and Vave will even add more depth.
      Was very hot there mate.

  9. Gazzamatta

    I struggle to find words to reflect my appreciation of what TCT provides to The Blue and Gold Army.
    Surely this site is the envy of every other NRL Club.
    Go you Mighty Eels and long live TCT.

  10. Grunta

    Thanks for the preseason reports sixties. Very holistic reports as per usual and I genuinely get miffed when a day is missed!
    Each preseason we get excited and the reports are mostly positive but I genuinely believe that the current staff we have and depth in the squad, we will give it a real shake in 2018.

    Thanks again to all TCT and GO YOU EELS!

    1. sixties Post author

      Thanks Grunta. These reports have to wind down a bit during the season proper, but I’ve enjoyed writing these pre-season reports.
      By nature, preparations always look good – mainly because your point of comparison is the year before and coaches and players strive to improve on the previous season.
      This year was really different. The energy levels have been outstanding and the players have been jumping out of their skins to play.

  11. Jeff Cooke

    Have enjoyed each and every TCT report. Helped me get through the off season. Thoroughly professional reports giving us fans the sort of insight that’s hard to come by. Well done guys.

  12. Lady Eel

    This site has been a credit to all who are behind TCT, we love reading each report and can’t believe the sustained quality you have achieved. You have also managed to avoid having certain supporters dominate the comments section, well done.

    Out of interest, do you have any stats on how many people visit your site each day? I suspect because of the journalistic nature of your articles a lot of people would be happy to read without feeling the need to comment!

    1. sixties Post author

      We do Lady Eel, and to be honest, the numbers of visitors are incredible this pre-season. You’re right, the comments are a very small percentage of the reads.
      TCT reports on what we see or know. We try to keep it that straight forward.
      Thanks for your kind words.

  13. Keyser Soze

    I am one of the many that have enjoyed reading your reports. Reading these pre season reports makes watching the games more interesting.

    Many thanks sixties for all the time and effort you put into this.

    1. sixties Post author

      Thanks Keyser.
      It’s interesting that you say that, because watching training makes watching matches more interesting for me. Having seen what they’ve worked on during the sessions, seeing them execute in the match makes me want to yell out “yes!” Conversely, when the plans go out the window, I know how the coaches would be feeling. It really adds to my enjoyment (or sometimes frustration) of watching the Eels.

  14. DDay

    Many thanks for the reports during the off season – enjoyed hearing about the preparations for 2018. It has been a lot of work to deliver the extensive reporting and compliments for mixing up the focus week to week. TCT reports have built up my anticipation, excited to see the Eels unleashed.

    1. sixties Post author

      Cheers mate. I try to look for something a little different each day. Sometimes something unexpected demands being reported. Really top trial last night so next step completed.

  15. Rowdy

    Excellent preseason wrap up Sixties.

    A lot of what you’ve reported was shown to be consistent with performances in tonight’s trial.

    Sell out crowd at Maitland?
    As a matter of interest for future planned trips to the country to support our team? There were at least 1500 to 2000 patches of grass (bum sized) on the hill opposite the grandstand.

    1. Anonymous

      Rowdy, It wasn’t a good look, but, I suspect that the heat may have played a big part in why people did not show up.

      I have to admit that while I wanted to be there, both my wife and I have felt the heat up here this summer very very much. I have worked in trying conditions in the bush, and when I worked on Steam locomotives almost on a daily basis back in the 1960’s I can only ever reccolect one trip going to Goulburn when we were in a heat haze south of Bargo, the driver and myself took 10 minute turns on the shovel. By Moss Vale that haze had gone thankfully for the last 50 miles.

      The days up here when its been over 35 has had intensities, like I have never experienced. Being honest, I may not have gone even had I had tickets.

      I do not believe choosing Maitland and the antiquated ground was a good idea, it would have been much better at Broadmeadow, more numbers would have been there and the facilities would have copped.

      1. sixties Post author

        Anonymous – I’m pretty sure everyone turned up. There was only about 6500 tickets sold and that was a sell out. The announced crowd was just over 6500.
        My ticket was $10 – about the same as attending an ISP game at Wenty. Wouldn’t expect to pay more to watch from a hill.
        I suspect that Maitland Council must have bid for the event. There were flags promoting the game in the street and staff to help with parking and traffic.
        I thought everyone was friendly and welcoming.

        1. Colin Hussey

          60’s as I had mentioned here (some reason my details were removed from the blog thus the reason for me being Anonymouse).

          What was promoted on the crowd numbers was that the crowds were there lined up a very long way before the gates had even been opened.

          On some of the advertising sites up here there were restrictions on the type of chairs that could be taken into the grounds, also very much on beverages and food, as they pushed the local catering aspect, which in many ways is fair enough.

          The aspect that the hill areas at the ground showed a heck of a lot of green grass, something even my wife commented on, we like others who were left disappointed in not being able to go as tickets being sold out prior to the previous weekend.

          While there were problems with the ground as you say especially with the hired lighting, there was no information put out in regards to the limitation on being able to get into the ground at 6500. No doubt also with Toilets and food, being issues but, the organisers of the event should have made extra facilities available at the ground, once the numbers of tickets being sold became known. Likewise, there should have been a bit more latitude with what you could bring into the ground as far as food and the like is concerned.

          Thing is, this was a showcase event for the two clubs, also it is really a country area and a bit one at that. It did a fair amount of free publicity for the local RL though in the Maitland Pumpkin pickers as they were able to get some flow from the match, which is a good thing.

          The aspect that the stream camera’s had that half empty side of the ground constantly on show, would not have been a good advertisement though.

  16. sixties Post author

    Thanks Rowdy. Space wise, they could have fitted in 10K into the ground, but the issue was really facilities and surrounds. It wasn’t a ground made for big events. Lots of temporary toilets. The entry point had people with hand held scanners and they took your tickets and gave you a stamp – like a night club. Food and drink vans had queues, and the temporary floodlighting was on the field and blocked the view of people on the far hill. Away from that hill, it was jam packed. Wouldn’t have wanted a much bigger crowd in there.

  17. Shelley

    Some many great reads over the summer, thank you. Last night was just a trial, with unlimited interchange and you always have to remember that. In saying that three things stood out for me from last nights game.

    First, we looked fitter and stronger, all the way from our magical Bevan to the front row. Of course they were ‘ fit’ last year but as they tired in games they made errors and we often fell away badly and just held on in the second half or got run down. Last night being our first trial game you would expect more execution errors because of fatigue and the conditions but they got stronger and built into the game. To me this was the most pleasing thing, apart from no injuries of course, from last night.

    Second, you mentioned BA stepping up to be forwards coach instead of replacing Gentle with another assistant. I assume this is because we wanted to keep Joey on the staff as skills coach and have to plan for the new cap on footy department spending. What a genius move. Good teams by their nature have smart coaches and players. To be able to win big games we need to be able to show well structured and drilled opposition, i.e Melbourne, something different, unique, the unpredictable, i.e Will Smith’s try from the final last year. Joey is such an asset to our footy department and our team across the park is so much more skilful than most if not all other teams.

    Last, the fact that some of our best players last night, albeit in a strong team performance, came from the bench and even an extended bench is so pleasing. All our players will be pushing hard for spots and therefore will be required to stay strong and focussed throughout the year. The depth we have from fullback to front row is amazing and I suspect that with salary cap restraints this depth will be hard to maintain in the future years so we need to make the most of it while it lasts.

    Bring on Rd 1, can not wait.

    1. Anonymous

      Shelley, good post. There were three players who came on late who had no numbers on their Jersies, and while it was easy to pick Nathan Davis out of the 3, not sure of the others though.

      A rough guess though I would think one was Salmon who went to Dummy half and Stone who did some good defense, future looks good.

      1. sixties Post author

        Firstly, astute as always Shelley, and Welcome aboard for season 2018.
        Anonymous, it wasn’t Salmon. He’s still a few weeks from returning.
        Stone was definitely in a numberless jersey, and Reed Mahoney came on to play dummy half in a numberless jersey.
        They also used Aukafolau, Niukore, and Layoun from the Wenty trial. Not sure about whether you are referring to any of them – Niukore was definitely wearing a number.

  18. paul taylor

    To the team at TCT – congrats on a wonderful site and brillant reporting. You guys are delivering the training to our doorsteps. I feel like I know how they will play, who is fit, what will be our strengths in 2018.

    Nice to have a classy site where people can post about football and leave all the rubbish behind.

    Thanks mate

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