Have you ever been pushed to your physical limits?
Some readers might know exactly what that feels like. Many might not. Today there must have been a number of Eels players who could answer that question.
This was two hours of challenge upon challenge.
Big Oregon
And if there were players who reached that point of feeling like they had given it all, they weren’t allowed to show it.
“Stand up! Get your hands off your hips! Body language!”
The calls from staff and players reminded everyone that they couldn’t show fatigue to the opposition.
Once again the training was split between two fields – conditioning on Field 1 and skills on Field 2. The players alternated between the fields, completing four 15 minute periods on each field. That’s eight periods for a total of two hours.
Here’s the breakdown:
Conditioning
The first conditioning period featured short runs with the players getting down onto the ground and up again. Working in pairs, the running back and forth would see the pair come together for a standing wrestle.
This period was wrapped up with a quick try line drill which saw the ball moved from one side of the field to the other without the players running. As the ball moved, the defence looked to number up.
Gutho sets the pace – again!
The second period of conditioning had more running and more hitting the ground, and more pairing up for a wrestle. The team also completed a 400 metre run. No prizes for guessing who led them in!
By the time the team hit their third period of conditioning, the players were fighting against fatigue. Reminders about body language started to echo around the facility. The players were challenged to complete running sets inside specified times. Failure to complete meant a penalty of a repeated set.
The final period with Adrian Jimenez became all about not breaking under the challenge. A target of 11 seconds was now set for a run set as the players pushed themselves to the limit. Remarkably all achieved their goal – but not before they repeated the set multiple times.
Skills
Between each conditioning period, the players moved to field 2 for skills work. In an opposed drill, what looked like a defensive goal was just as much about ball retention in attack.
Stefano hits a hole.
Part of the woes of 2018 was the defensive workload. The Eels turned over a mountain of possession and games became tackling practice – and we didn’t fare too well at that!
After completing a period of conditioning, the players were split into Blue and Red teams for these opposed drills. One team was designated as the attacking team for an entire period. Their job was to throw a challenge out to the defence, all whilst aiming for high ball retention.
With some players missing today, some players filled in out of position (backrowers in the centres – Fergo and Jenko yet to return from their breaks).
This meant a halves pairing of Norman and Brown lined up against Moses and Salmon.
With four periods of opposed work, each team had two turns in attack. To be fair, each team did well when handed possession. All the halves looked strong as the players ran good lines around them.
Dunster had a field day running off Gutho.
The standout moments were a cut out pass from Norman to Parry for a try; Gutho putting George Jennings across in the corner; Gutho putting Dunster away; Moses putting Marata in with a superb ball at the line; Norman putting GL in for a big diving try in the corner; a Norman kick for Salesi to gather and score; a powerful try for GL cutting back in from the wing; and Gutho again putting Dunster across.
The impressive aspect was that the ball retention under fatigue was good, with the team in possession given encouragement to chance their hand.
I was impressed by the spine today and the lines run by our edge players, especially Marata, Tepai and Salesi.
Though the opportunities were there for the attack to shine, there was also a step up in the defensive collision. As the players noted, it wasn’t as tough as in a match, but you felt it.
Final Comment
I want to again emphasise that these reports are written for Eels supporters and the aim is to detail the Eels pre-season. I’m not being ignorant of the work being done by other clubs, that’s for their supporters to report on. Every club will be working hard, so I’m making no comparisons in that regard.
The players are feeling it, but they’re incredibly supportive of each other. More impressively, the younger players are excelling.
More to come on Friday.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Let’s hope the new trainer knows what he’s doing because we’re around 40% successful in the opening 6 rounds since 2014. It’s not like we’re coming out of the blocks fitter than other clubs.
Trevor i assume all trainers in NRL would know what they are doing and have plenty of staff to analyse etc. Jiminez has very good experience if you have seen his history.
Trevor and Milo – fitness won’t be an issue. As Milo says, you couldn’t have a much better background than Jimenez.
Fantastic report again mate! I started following the Eels as a ten year old, in 67. Me & my mate were in Parra Park, cooking some chips in a garbage bin, (as we did back in the day). We heard this roar & followed it to Cumberland Oval. It was half time of the Parra vs Sharks. There first season. & the Sharks won. Since then I’ve been the maddest Eel I know. I remember as a 12yo, travelling by train to Central & walking up to SCG to watch the match of the day. I’d have my big league & the rugby leaguer with me. Was there when we finally made the semis in ’72. Went with my mates who were Dragons.- Came home with my tail between my legs. Ken Thornett’s final game!! – again in ’77, went to both games & Harry Bath was fine in the replay to let his team bash us.
Thanks for getting involved Steeleel.
I listened to the radio call of that 1971 semi final. Yes, Ken Thornett came out of retirement for that year and they got to the finals on the coaching of Ian Walsh. Extra time defeat against Dragons.
I was there. Last chance to watch the legend that was Ken Thornett. RIP Mayor.
Just a bit of positive feedback sixties, I think your descriptions of the training and what they are undertaking is outstanding. I don’t think we could read a match report that would be more interesting than what you are delivering.
I think it say’s enormous things about how your journalistic improvement has taken you to a pinnacle since you have launched TCT with the “guys”.
Keep up the good work and again congratulations!
Hi guys,
Thanks for all of the hard work you do keeping us updated and abreast of the post-season – pre-season stuff.
Have a couple of thoughts: having observed training now for a few years would u be able to maybe (without divulging anything too secret) post about how methods have changed – we hear the players are fitter each year but how? What’s different this year to last especially considering everyone said they trained well in 2018 and ran poorly.
Would it be alright, without being critical to point out maybe an area the eels could improve on? Something you noticed that wasn’t where you’d expect it to be. That way as fans, when things do or don’t work in matches we can look back and see – hey, that’s what 60’s was talking about – that 7 man wedge from the scrum never worked at training. Etc.
Also, with Gutho being such a standout as he is, leading by example – as it’s often mentioned. Are the others following him? Who looks up to him? Is it different to the previous year?
Understandable you don’t comment on other clubs for sure. I mean who cares about Souths. But now tct has been going a few seasons, what’s different to previous years – how do things compare?
I recall a few parraeels wrestling vids in 2016 we had a great tough year on the park as a team but nothing like that since – do we still run those drills? Because our forwards performance would seem to be down since 16/17.
Anyway, no criticism from me I love this site and all that you guys do for us. Just thought these things may help training reports have a further point of difference.
All the best and go Parra,
Always welcome feedback and questions mate. I’ll try to compile a post dedicated to differences etc in the lead up to Christmas.
Thanks Poppa. We all enjoy trying to create something for the supporters, and it does make it worthwhile to get the positive feedback. Thanks.
👍🏼
As per usual a very nice and precision report sixties well done and thanks
I now am able to cross off a couple more of the unknown players coming through.
Also for Milo, I agree with your comment re Adrian, we saw the difference he made when he arrived in the 2nd half this last season, a big improvement in the first half. Here is a trainer who knows RL and how to get players to their level of fitness required to not just compete but, to put a winning pattern into the players bodies but moreso their minds.
He could be the key signing for the eels next season.
He’s tough, driven and a winner.
Another great read mate. Keep up the great work, It doesn’t go unnoticed.!
Two things –
1. How is Norman and Mosses going compared to previous years.? For mine they are the key which will determine how successful we are in 2019.
2. The younger players, How are the likes of Brown and Schneider going. The reason i ask about those 2 in particular is because they are spine players and would like to know how they are both handling the rigors of training day in day out.
Thanks Billy,
I’ve never had an issue with Norman’s attitude to training. He turns up fir, completes conditioning in around the first half dozen players, and he and Moses both trained well last year. As we know, that just never manifested on game day.
They have been split in the opposed work I’ve seen, with both given the chance to be the dominant half. I think both are confidence players. However, they need to be leaders when a game doesn’t flow. Each responds differently when the going gets tough, but regardless, the opposition can read it.
The young players arrived ready for pre-season. They are excelling in conditioning and don’t look out of place in opposed. Both Schneider and Brown will be quality NRL players. Brown is ready for a shot. Schneider missed out on getting a run in Flegg in 2018 due to injury. I see him starting there, and then playing ISP in 2019.
Don’t worry, Jimenez will keep testing them.
Would love to also hear about some areas needing improvement that you can see . Cheers for the report
Another great write up bro sixties.
Just having a look at the picture of Stefano making a break on his left shoulder or on the right side is that siosia vave ?
If not then who ?
Where is vave if his not at the club ?
I liked him he was also a big body player like jr Paulo.i can’t see why Brad Arthur would punt him.
Keep up the good work. I enjoy reading the articles n the replies.
#Eels4life#
Salesi
Thanks Parra thru n thru
Thanks Rev.
When Vave went it opened up a Top 30 spot. Oregon Kaufusi comes in. So the choice is local 19 year old, big unit, big future, or, with respect to Vaves, a journeyman in the latter stages of his career?
I under stand that sixties. Future is good but we also need to find balance with experience. I never Wana see a player at the eels in there mid 30’s like 32 is ok but anything more is not good. Oh wait how old is the good doctor ? Doesn’t matter with him we all know he gives his all. His what I call a team player his not a shelfish player like Gallen.
If you are referring to Watmough, there is no doubt that the length of the deal was awful, and in the end, his injury diminished his on field value greatly. But he added a tough nosed attitude to the group at a time when one was needed. Right now, we need youth, and the senior players have to step up as mentors. So, like you, I agree that recruiting a player in their 30s is something that should be avoided, though there are sometimes team needs which have to be taken into account. If most clubs had the chance,, they’d take Cam Smith for two years. And he’s a massive example of an exception.
I love reading these reports even though im a realist and expect us to finish in the bottom 4 but reading this it gives a sense of hope and excitement for the season to start
Offside, I think we’re both on the same page in most respects, the difference for me is that being both a realist and an optimist, I see us finishing higher than the bottom 4 though.
How much higher? My belief is more towards the higher end of the middle, around 10th if not better. It will however depend on the overall attitude of the players and their commitment to each other, coach and club.
One thing for sure is a large number are playing for their future as to the off contract players, those who can negotiate even now and leave are not getting offers so they have to work to show they are worth something somewhere. The young players are hungry and want to stay meaning competition will be huge.
These young blokes, right now, are keen to achieve together. They identify with the club. They’ve enjoyed success in Parra teams and achieved personal representative honours from wearing the Blue and Gold. If nothing else, they’ve already added to the squad with their attitude
Offside, I was struggling coming into this pre-season. I had anticipated the influx of youth into training. I hadn’t anticipated the impact it would have on the squad. It’s been very encouraging to see.
There’s a long way to go. In my opinion, they need to find a top 30 spot for about 2-3 of them for 2019. But having so many involved with the pre-season gives a glimpse of the future team profile. We probably will see a greater impact beyond 2019, but this point has been coming. These players have been on the horizon. We’ve had to be patient. We still will be.
Hi Sixties since you have seen a lot of pre seasons , does this 2018/19 season seem tougher or different in any way?
Keep up the good work.
It’s different. Every year seems tough and it’s never the same. Last year, a large number of players returned late due to the RLWC. Many clubs had the same problem. It didn’t help the pre-season to not have a full squad till January.
Every year has brought a different momentum. I was worried about the momentum coming into this pre-season. How do you have momentum off a spoon year with a relatively similar squad? The signings were very good, but were they enough?
It’s only four weeks in, but the type of conditioning has changed a bit. A massive amount of up/down work and a lot more repetitive shuttle runs to go with it. We’ve had a full contact opposed session already. There’s some new staff. A host of young players. The squad is definitely bigger. Right now, there’s probably an air of competition created by new squad members.
Great to hear the boys look much bigger hopefully we can be a surprise packet in 2019.
I’m optimistic.