The Cumberland Throw

Eels Training – March 1, 2018: The Selection Challenge

The advantage of being a regular at Eels training throughout the pre-season is the insight it provides in individual and team preparations for the year. You get a sense of who’s putting their hand up for selection, and the type of footy that the team is likely to play.

This year, it’s become obvious that BA and his staff have developed a system and a squad of players that are all capable of executing the structures and game plans each week.

Evidence could be witnessed in the Maitland trial last weekend. With a multitude of changes kicking in throughout the second half, including key spine positions, there was no interruption to team cohesion in both attack and defence. Indeed, a number of players who had been omitted from many discussions about team selections provided a timely reminder of their NRL credentials against the Knights.

Is there a definitive 17 that Eels supporters could expect to be named for the opening round against Penrith?

I had hoped to find the answer to that question at Eels training today. The opposed session at Saleyards only clouded my thoughts as both the Gold and Blue teams found moments of excellence in a tight contest.

Here’s how it played out:

First Half

It was all hands on deck for the first time this year, with every player, bar Tim Mannah, involved in the match. (Mannah was required for today’s NRL launch.)

It’s been a long rehab journey for T Rex

Tony Williams wore an orange shirt, which meant that he wasn’t involved in full contact. On the other hand, Siosaia Vave pulled on the Gold jersey, signalling his readiness to take a tackle.

The Gold team opened their account first, with Marata Niukore making full use of space on the right to launch himself into a 40 metre break. A couple of plays later Will Smith (playing in the halves) laid on the try which was duly converted.

The Blues replied soon after with quick hands inside the quarter creating the perfect opportunity for Bevan French to slice the Gold defence open.

Disappointingly, after crossing the line out wide, he was allowed to improve his position to ground the ball behind the posts. The conversion from Moses saw the scores levelled up.

Mitch Moses landed a penalty goal to complete the scoring for the half, with the play ebbing and flowing from this point but no team grabbing the ascendancy.

A superb heads up play from Will Smith requires mentioning.

The Blues were building momentum and pressure and forced a line drop out. It’s doubtful that the Golds could have held out the next set. Sensing the opportunity to find touch, a pinpoint accurate drop out from Wilbur crossed the sideline 30 metres out. Like he has done all throughout the pre-season, Smith kept himself involved throughout this contest.

Second Half

A couple of early tries, firstly to Takairangi, and secondly to Edwards, seemed to be signalling that the Blues would kick away from the Golds. Taka had completed the first half in the Gold team at centre, but then switched to the Blue in the second stanza.

During this half, Smith also had a run with the Blues. He would feature in the next try as a beautiful ball from Nathan Brown found Smith running a great line to launch himself into the Gold half. And who was backing up to finish off the try – none other than the man who started it, Brown.

Niukore was one of the stand-outs for the Golds today.

Kicking duties this half were assumed by Takairangi in an interesting role as second string kicker. Of course, Gutho and Moses are the first choice kickers, but it seems Taka has added the title of sharpshooter to a CV which already lists 40/20 expert as a demonstrated skill.

The opposed session concluded with an individual try to Marata Niukore. Receiving the ball out wide on the quarter line, the big forward/centre surged through the defence in an angled run that finished beside the posts.
Final score: Blue – 26 def Gold – 12

A Final Word

During the warm up and running mechanics at the start of the session, the players completed a series of sprints. Over the shorter distances, Jennings was on fire.

The interesting results came over 100 metres. Ray Stone appeared to win one race – or at least be in the top 3. In another race, Kane Evans seemed to lead the squad home.

Even bearing in mind that our front-on and end-on view did not make for the best vantage point to call a result, both players stood out in a group which primarily finished within only a few metres of each other.

It’s always brilliant to watch players bust a gut to give everything they’ve got.

Was this a perfect session?

No.

There was a bit for the coaches to work on in both attack and defence. That’s to be expected at this time of the year. However, the forwards saw a bit of swapping between the two teams, and in the main, the team cohesion remained.

After the pre-season, the Maitland trial and now this week’s training, I’m convinced that there’ll be plenty of healthy discussion as the coaches go about finalising the team for round 1.

Team list Tuesday should make for interesting reading.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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53 thoughts on “Eels Training – March 1, 2018: The Selection Challenge

  1. Rob

    So, let’s get this straight, two forwards, including a BIG prop, lead the whole field in a 100m sprint? Man, I wish you had asked the coaches for their verdict(s) on who won.

    Other than extremely notable point, Will Smith seems to be a man on fire in his showing for Parra. Is he a smokey to take a wing position or push French to a wing?

    1. sixties Post author

      Rob, the 100m that Stone either won or was in the first two finished just in front of us. Evans finished up near the front in the next 100. Let me assure you, Evans is incredibly fast. Stone just gave it everything.
      These were the last two sets in a sequence of runs. Thought some backs ran within themselves, but the backs stood out over 40/50m.
      I’ve found that some forwards seem to do well in the 100m after the squad has fatigued. We’ve watched Mannah out sprint backs after the squad has been fatigued. Not suggesting that these blokes would win a 100m stand alone sprint against Jennings, Hayne, French, as that would be ludicrous – but it demonstrates how much they put into their work.

  2. John Eel

    I cant remember looking forward to team list Tuesday as much as I am now. There is a lot of hard decisions to be made between now and Tuesday and I don’t envy the coaches position.

    You have mentioned a couple of times that Evans is quick. In some ways he seems to have an awkward gate. Maybe it is just his long legs. Starting to feel positive about Evans, thought he was good when he came on at Maitland.

    I stopped listening to Talkin Sport a long time ago. Graeme Hughes lost me. Pappy is OK and Robertson sold his soul to the AFL. Sad for a Dundas Valley boy. Everyone has to make a living I guess.

    BA is very good with the interviews. He was never poor but he has really improved his technique. He did not give much away other than he may hold Gutho back a bit longer than Gutho wants so that is a good thing.

    Keep up the good work

    1. The rev aka Snedden

      John I also heard that interview with BA on talkin sport. I thought BA handled him self with aplomb.

      What I heard from BA makes me think he is the right bloke in charge. Like you said he didn’t give much away except the (gutherson) returning in maybe rd 8/10.

      I’m hearing a lot of teams are tipping us to take it out (NRL) comp behind roosters n storm.

      #Eels4life#

  3. Braeden

    The one thing that really does frustrate me is when I hear players so we really focusing on D this pre season then we play our first trial and nothing had changed from last year…. The winger or centre comes flying up out of the line trying to smash the five-eight ends up missing and just creates the over lap…. It happens every year at Parra and it’s so annoying why can’t BA see that this DOESN’T work. Watch Melbourne defend, the all go and “slide” they never ever “rush out” out the line they all just go up and slide it’s so bloody simple yet Somi and Taka rush up ALL the time.

    1. sixties Post author

      Are you concerned by the defence in the trial Braeden? I saw it as a strong point to come out of that clash. I reckon the Knights would have been very sore.
      I’m no fan of wingers charging in. It can be a big play if the men on the inside haven’t numbered up and you have few options. If its planned, the inside men need to be sliding behind the winger.
      Semi was guilty of poor decisions in defence last year. Leaving his wing exposed wasn’t under any instruction.

      1. Trevor Campbell

        Spot on again Sixties. In the trial on the weekend you could see Mau’s contribution to the team by being in exactly the right place to tackle the opposition (ball and all as well)when French forced the winger back inside. He seems to always be in the right place (obviously follows the game plan required by BA).On French, his speed allowed him to cover the winger after forcing the centre to pass (result of compressed defence). That has to be a huge asset for the Eels ( makes you wonder about the value Will Smith could be as a winger if needed). I liked Taka’s involvement on the weekend…defence and attack worthy of a place in the 17. Gee King impressed me with his defence, it was as though Degois was out there. His low tackles are very efficient and effective. At one point he hit one of the Saifiti boys head on around the knees bringing him down immediately and then knocked his brother over in a low side on effort in the very next tackle…inspirational stuff. I mentioned last year about the value Degois brought to the team with his attacking defence and how they missed him (he saved the Eels a lot of defensive work by not wasting energy in the wrestle). Tepai ran with a lot of aggression and defended the same as always. I hope he doesn’t miss out. Brad Arthur probably had a word to Marata Nuikore about not retaining the defensive line when Newcastle should have scored in the second half. Ponga immediately spotted the hole sending Fitzgibbon through only for the winger to drop the ball. How do you leave out Terepo and Matagi who had very good games. Terepo’s handling problems are long gone it seems. His speed and power in both attack and defence may require his place on the bench. Sixties you mentioned Matagi’s ball skills and we got a glimpse of that in the pass to Hayne which resulted in a try to French. I really feel for the players who miss out on selection for the first round as they really do deserve to be there. Thanks to all the TCT crew for your respectful reporting of all the Eels teams.

        1. sixties Post author

          Trevor – quality observations there mate.
          Those low driving tackles have been in evidence at training. Lots of old fashioned tackle bag work to put the opposition down one on one.
          The effort on effort stuff from King – coaches love that. And what about his service from dummy half!
          With so many forwards putting their hand up, I don’t envy BA.

          1. Trevor Campbell

            Thanks Sixties. Like you and the other TCT lads I have a lot of respect for Kaysa’s courage and determination but, I really hope King doesn’t get injured as he is such a well balanced player – perfect for the team at this stage. Like you stated, his service is exceptional, defence is top notch, can read the play as it unfolds, and he also seems to be a low risk, low mistake style player.

      2. Braeden

        Yes I do have concerns about rd 1 and our D, it’s happened every year for a while now the winger rushes up and try to smash the attacking player with the ball. Don’t worry about trying to “hurt” the other team i’d much rather defined the line and slide as a unit then there is no way for the other team to create the overlap. BA can’t see it and its so frustrating because it’s not that hard to fix…. Tell the winger not to rush up and the problem is solved. Instead the winger rushes up misses the player like the other 85% of the time and the other teams winger crosses the line easy.

          1. Braeden

            It’s not that hard to coach honestly…. Watch Melbourne defend their goal line not one idiot rushes out of the line to “hurt or smash” the opposition they just go up and slide. It’s very simple yet we make the same mistake every time.

        1. Pou

          Outside backs are coached to jam against numbers Braeden. You can’t have the whole defence sliding on its own line, and you can’t just tell your outside backs to stay on their man or there will be big gaps inside them.

          1. Braeden

            Why can’t you? Melbourne and Broncos do it and it works very well for them every time… yet we have idiots that go flying up out of the line miss the ball completley and create the overlap

          2. Anonymous

            We dont refer to our players as idiots on this site mate ,thats done elsewhere

          3. Grunta

            Braeden.
            How did the Broncos defence aim up against us last season?
            I believe that we put 54 or so on them at Suncorp. This after beating them a few weeks earlier.
            Who’s defence is better?

          4. The rev aka Snedden

            Grunta we also let in 34. Semi did rush up once n get court out but in saying that if he catches the ball then the big Fijian was on his way to try #5

          5. The rev aka Snedden

            Braeden you will find the idiots on the other site that call our players n coach by other names other then there right names.

            Please as a big fan of the TCT please talk about our players using there correct names. Same for the coach n coaching staff.

            On the players rushing up you will find every team does it even Melbourne storm. They try to break down the play by putting pleasure on the opposite in side man n there for they over read the play be rushing up n in n getting court out. Please feel free to reply if you think I’m wrong.

            #Eels4life#

          6. Colin Hussey

            Rev. you are right, if one looks closely at all teams especially with the likes of Storm and Horses, is that they have a couple of players each that are specialists in the way they defend, by being able to read the game plays and move up in a manner that squashes the attack by having more defenders on that side.

            In two players, Smith and Cronk, they are spot on in the way they can direct (Smith) and move to defend (Slater) play. Slater in particular even on their try line is behind the main line and as the defence moves up he watches the direction of the ball as its passed, he then moves accordingly to follow it, and Smith does the same, Slater is also fast enough in turning to go the other direction when a kick or change of passes is made.

            Both those players will be missed but, no doubt to me when they retire from playing, they will be in coaching positions at the club getting TPA payments. Team Pension Allowances as thank yous for their time with the club.

          7. sixties Post author

            The interesting change in the game is the fullback defending in the line on the try line. Watch how teams try to exploit this.

          8. Colin Hussey

            Very true 60’s that’s where Slater is so darn good, he is in the line but, just enough back from it to not be that noticeable, once he see’s the direction of the balls move, he goes for it.

            I have watched him in that role where he is like an animal of prey, he is stooped with his head and eyes centred where the play the ball area, in that stance he is watching the dummy half closely as to how he has his feet planted in that way he is able to have a good guess which way the ball will be passed, also the side the play goes and if the dummy half is going for a run. =

            That sharpness is where the Storm will lose most with his eventual retirement is in that area of his expertise, and is a natural part of his play, can it be taught to a successor? that is the big question.

    2. Anonymous

      6 trys to 1 plus 3 not given and 1 bombed , not much rushing there mate .anyway head down to training and watch the work thats going on in that area mate .

      1. sixties Post author

        Agree anonymous and Pou. You can’t slide on your line, you have to get up off the line.
        Braeden, I do sense your frustrations over a defence line with Semi, because defensive decisions weren’t his strong suit. The number of times he jammed in incorrectly or gave his opposite space was frustrating.
        However, I will take a defence which hurts the opposition rather than cuddles them to the ground.
        I would also inform you that a lot of work goes into the defensive decisions of the outside defenders. The wingers are also expected to have a voice in the defence line. They actually don’t want their opposites getting around them for tries.

        1. Braeden

          I know they have to get off their line i’m not saying that, what I’m saying is the have to go up and slide rather then rush up and create the overlap.

          1. Pou

            They jam because there is already an overlap. They don’t create the overlap by rushing up. The overlap was created by a quick play-the-ball allowing the attack to stack numbers on one side. Faced with that the outside defenders have no choice but to try to stop the ball getting outside them. This is why wingers keep coming out of the line without getting dropped to reserve grade. Because the coach instructs them to do it.

  4. Colin Hussey

    Great to see another of the big players ready for selection in Vave in the full gear.

    No doubt Brown would have more of a spring in his step with his future at the eels settled.

    Thanks for the report 60’s

    1. sixties Post author

      Cheers Colin. We had a few words with T Rex after training and he spoke about the competition for places in the pack. It’s going to be tough decisions for BA.

  5. Barney Bear

    Thanks Sixties-as usual your report is both interesting and informative
    Do you think Niukore is any chance of making the final 17 for round ?
    He seems to have had a number of very positive mentions in your reports
    Also, any word on who was the 29th member of the squad-with 1 having to be added to our previous 28 by March 1

    1. sixties Post author

      I don’t think Marata is in the running for a spot in the early part of the year. However, with forwards around 30 years old in the team, he represents the next generation and he is a handful with ball in hand. I get the sense that he’s on a learning curve with his defensive decisions – no problems with how he hits.
      I’d like to see him in the middle, but they utilise his pace and mobility at centre in opposed sessions and he makes breaks in most “games”.
      I’m not worried about Tepai.

  6. Milo

    Great read sixites. I am concerned about Tepai, and maybe i should not be. Do you think he will be in our 17 next week? I hope so.
    As Barney asked Marata seems to be going well, and i am interested on whether he will be an edge backrower? or even centre

    1. John Eel

      Milo he lined up at centre in Maitland. Maybe with all of the forward depth that maybe a better option at this point in his career

      1. Milo

        Yes maybe mate but i think we need him as a fwd for the future. I also have queries about Taka being picked in the top 13, if he is picked there. Just my view but i am hoping Tep is in the top 17; even 13. It’s a hard one,

  7. The rev aka Snedden

    Good write up brother sixties. As for next weeks top 17 it’s as good as anyone’s quess.
    I feel that last weeks team that played in the trial game will be very close to the starting team come rd1.

    Tell me what do you think the chances are of niukore making the top 17 this year not just next week ?

    My team for next week is as follows.

    1. French
    2. Avu’ua
    3. Jennings
    4. Hayne
    5. Hoffman
    6. Norman
    7. Moses
    8. Alvaro
    9. King
    10. Mannah (c)
    11. Mua
    12. Takarangi
    13. Brown.

    Bench.
    14. Scott (c)
    15. Evans
    16. Moeroa
    17. Edwards.

    Reserves.

    18. Matagi
    19. Smith
    20. Teripo.

    #Eels4life#

    1. sixties Post author

      I reckon you’ll be very close Rev.
      I’d like to see Marata get a shot this year. If he continues to deliver in ISP, he gives himself every chance.

      1. Anonymous

        Thanks sixties. with that said about niukore what position do you see himm playing once he gets a shot in 1st grade …centre/backrow ?

  8. Parramatta Tragic

    Another great read sixties. Thanks for your time. Looking over Rev Snedden’s team above, I like the bench but I would have Will Smith in the team instead of one of either Hoffman or Avu’ua. That leaves Smith, Hayne and French to roam and swap positions during the game. We can’t possibly leave out the opportunity for that Smith/Moses move close to the line. That’s the best move since Pringle/Lockwood or Reynolds/Quayle

    1. sixties Post author

      Thanks PT. Smith is in my team all day, but it probably comes down to whether BA wants an all forwards bench or not. He’s already been very clear about wanting an 80 minute hooker, so a bench spot won’t go to a second D/H. Wing for Smith? Not outside the realms of possibility, but I’d look to the bench.

    2. The rev aka Snedden

      PT I like most will love will smith in my side also bench.
      But after listening to BA the other day on 2sm talkin sport he did make it clear that he wants a 80min hooker nod stick with a 4 forward rotation.

      That’s the reason I had a forward bench. As for will smith playing wing I think not n we won’t use at fullback with French , Hayne , gutherson all playing there.

      Once gutherson comes back I would drop avau’a I like Hoffman as a winger. But In saying that ppl are forgetting Hoffman can also play fullback. So our wingers can also play fullback.

      By all reports Hayne n French n gutherson will all be rotating between centre wing n fullback thru out the year.

      #Eels4life#

  9. Braeden

    How did T-Rex go in the contact session? Was he running the ball hard like the Manly days or was he still using his “bump” like at the dogs?

    1. sixties Post author

      T Rex has only just moved into opposed work. He wears an orange singlet, meaning minimal contact. All players go through this on their recovery.

  10. Grunta

    There will be a few boys feeling hard done by on Tuesday night and I predict that Peni will be one of them.
    Geez he impressed in the trial. Brutal stuff and I hope we see the same when he gets his chance.

    1. sixties Post author

      Absolutely true on both counts Grunta. Plenty who miss out won’t deserve to. It’s a good headache for BA to have.

  11. paul taylor

    Hi Mate

    Rumour going around Hayne injured himself today at training….. any truth in that ?

    Cheers

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