I was thinking of beginning this report with an anecdote about today’s weather. This would involve a recount of how the gales blew over the observation stand at Old Saleyards, so the filming had to be captured from on top of a van.
Then I considered how to best describe such an unexpected session. So I waited. I really didn’t want to overplay what I watched. So I waited some more.
It’s strange that such an atypical session would cause me such angst in writing my post. After all, when there’s something different to record, there’s usually a bit more enthusiasm to be found in the composition process.
But I was having trouble – mostly because it was difficult to not talk it up. So again I waited.
Finally, what I wanted to communicate took shape. I’ll make no predictions from today’s training, I won’t rate particular players as certainties to make a team that won’t be named for over three months.
But I will make this overall subjective call – a comparison against previous seasons.
Put simply – this was the most intense early pre-season opposed session that I’ve ever witnessed.
Big call? It’s a call that can’t be ignored.
Perhaps it’s the impact of the unexpected on an observer, because what transpired today wasn’t what I would have predicted. Perhaps it’s indicative of players looking to impress. Maybe, like an NRL clash, they were playing to instruction.
Whatever the case, here’s how I saw it:
Contact – Forwards
I arrived in time to watch some of the forwards’ contact drills in the Saleyards sandpit. It was highly competitive as the big blokes gave everything to win each contest.
Firstly, the players were tackling a partner carrying a football. It seemed like the goal was to both wrap up the footy and wrestle the ball carrier to the ground.
In the next drill, the footballs were removed as it became a stand up grapple challenge. With two or three pairs simultaneously in battle, it was hard to know which contest to watch.
As someone was declared the winner they were immediately faced with the next player charging in to the pit.
It was a big day for Ray Stone.
The surprise packet for me was Ray Stone. At one stage he and junior Paulo were locked in a wrestle that must have lasted around 3 minutes – a long time in these types of drills.
In the final drill, the pairs began on the ground, with each player trying to gain ascendancy by getting their opponent onto their back.
By the time it was done there was probably more sand on the players than there was in the pit.
It would soon be time for the main show.
Blue vs Red
A full contact opposed session under the control of NRL referees isn’t out of the ordinary for pre-season training. It is when we’re talking about November.
The arrival of Gavin Reynolds, Ben Cummins, Adam Gee and Russell Smith (I think I’ve identified them correctly) signalled that today’s training would be an opposed session. Anyone feeling sick with the “No Footy Blues” would have received a dose of what the doctor prescribed.
Part way through the 2018 season, the Eels shifted away from a rotation of current referees and instead called on the services of ex-NRL referee, Sean Hampstead, as a regular opposed session official. I’m not sure what the plan will be for this coming year.
Before the match began, Mick Potter briefed the referees on the goals of the session.
As per any opposed work, the Eels were split into two teams. Today it was Blue vs Red.
Competition is highlighted when moments are celebrated.
Anybody who’s watched rugby league up close, or away from the masking noise of a large crowd, would be familiar with the sound of big contact. There was plenty of this today as each pack of forwards aimed for supremacy.
To be blunt, the intensity was a complete surprise. And when a collision delivered a result like a turnover of possession, the players celebrated as they would in a match.
Highlights
Ray Stone filled in at dummy half for the Blue team as Kyle Schneider had rolled his ankle earlier in the morning. It was a minor injury that required the typical rest, elevation and ice, and he should be back at work next week. Stone was up against Reed Mahoney in the Red shirt.
Norman and Brown were the halves for the Blues, with Moses and Salmon controlling the Reds.
Will Smith impressed today.
Will Smith played centre for the Blue team and was on fire. He broke into the clear for a long distance try to French, provided another assist for the Blues second try before scoring one himself.
Second phase play was up a notch. Tim Mannah provided a ball for a long Ray Stone break in the lead up to Smith providing the assist for the Blues second try. Junior Paulo also delivered a memorable offload as he monstered his way through a tackle.
The offloads and support play through the forwards were countered by some heavy collisions. Stone and Evans delivered a couple of rippers.
But it wasn’t just big hits. Desperation defence also shut down a couple of dangerous plays. There was one that really stood out. Although I couldn’t identify the defender (mostly because it looked certain for a line break to happen and Salesi Fainga’a was immediately looming in support) Dylan Brown weaved and then accelerated into a hole only to be brought down by a brilliant tackle.
Dropped ball seemed to be minimal, not at all what I expected in the windy conditions. The ball was shifted on the back of the forwards laying a platform. However, it was not the reckless abandon of a game of touch or drop off. The mixture of structure and second phase was typical of an NRL match.
And the outcome that gives me the greatest joy to report – the Eels won the penalty count!
Final Word
There were some sore footballers after today’s hit-out, and any smiles were well-earned. It wasn’t the ideal day to be hitting the sideline ice bath but plenty did.
Even as I complete this report many hours later, I’m still stunned by the intensity of the contest. I’d like to provide more details on individuals, but to be honest, the clash in the forwards overshadowed anything else I could report.
In a show of club unity, players from all grades will be coming together for a massive conditioning session at a western Sydney venue on Saturday morning. A few of the players mentioned this to us after today’s training. It’s encouraging to have something akin to the old Jack Gibson days when three grades would train as one.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Outstanding work Sixties!
How is maika Sivo going?
I’d love to know this as well please 60’s! I haven’t heard his name mentioned in your reports. He’s the player I’m most excited about and I think has the biggest upside.
Great to hear we’re getting stuck into some realistic game hardening and the forwards are standing up.
My biggest concerns in your reports are that players who are playing out of position are standing out. This gives me grave concern for our defence. The last thing I think most supporters want to hear is that Smith at centre stood out and Ray Stone at hooker was your pick of the day. What happens when the defence faces quality centres and hookers in these positions… Probably the same as last year.
Huge thanks for your dedication in getting down to the ground and reporting for us fans who can’t be there!! I’m very appreciative.
Fuuuuuuui (Won’t let me edit Anonymous)
Anon, Stone is no stranger to the 9 spot and filled in there many times in ISP, also sure I read same in the Jnr grades as well.
He’s an excellent player & I for one won’t underestimate his abilities nor sell him.short.
Colin, it’s Fuuuuuuui (as mentioned at the bottom of my comment, if you got to the end)
I figure if a fill-in is outplaying those who are specialists in the position, then there is a huge question mark over the opposings ability.
I think Ray is a great player, I’ve watched him a fair few times, and he’s a quality second rower. His passing accuracy and passing speed from dummy half is way below par. Our team is on the back foot from the play the ball when he’s playing there.
Will Smith outdoing our centres, well that has me more scared than anything! Probably THE key position in the defence on our line.
I want to see those in their positions excelling. I hate this chopping and changing. We need consistent structures and players who are confident in where they will be.
Anyway, thanks again 60’s for some insightful reporting, hugely appreciate it and looking forward to the next one!
Hearndo, Fuuuuuuui and Colin,
Firstly Sivo is doing some rehab, nothing of concern.
As for players excelling, I’d take a positive stance on this. Over the first few weeks, the squad has literally split the “NRL talent” down the middle. Plus players like Ferguson and Jennings had been absent, Sivo has been in rehab, so the outside backs had been spread thinner than normal. Smith had a standout session on the back of a good forward platform and space being created, plus some opportunism.
Stone has mostly played middle forward in opposed but had to play hooker today. They have been working on his passing skills to provide him with some versatlity. He was tried at dummy half in only a handful of ISP games in the past. To be fair, Stone has really pushed all of the forwards in every session. He’s small but he’s a strong competitor.
Don’t read too much into some players standing out above others. Watching training from our position means that you end up noticing bigger moments from individuals. But I tried to convey that yesterday was a genuine forwards battle, and nobody disappointed.
If i can ask Sixties. I might be reading into it more than i should. Are you saying Stone only played hooker yesterday cause Schneider rolled his ankle.?
Yes thats correct
Thank you my friend
Thanks Sixties 👌 real
ly looking forward to 2019
Thanks Ray. Days like yesterday are my footy fix!
Loving the reports mate. Glad to here about the forwards hit out and the heavy contact. Can’t wait to see how Sivo develops.
You’d be surprised by the size of the forwards. If any of the fellas at training yesterday get the chance to add their thoughts here, I’m sure they’ll back me up about the size of the squad.
My observation form the training yesterday, was that Alvaro and Tep are at least 5 to 6 kg of muscle bigger. Junior remains a unit. Even Evans looks a little bigger, Peni doesn’t seem to have changed much.
Add in the younger big guns in Stefano, Oregan and Salesi and if they can be utilised then we are in a better position than 2018. Mind you, it’s on the playing field that matters, this years training is an eye opener after watching them run massive kms last year.
Jimenez and Potter look to have added some rugby league nous to the situation.
I certainly don’t think we should expect to be as soft though the middle next year. Too often in 2018 we struggled to find momentum in the middle with the ball and were constantly back pedaling without it.
Tepai has bulked up, Polar has bulked up, we already know what Junior brings, Kane Evans looks considerably stronger to me and even Lane looked bigger than I recall him. I could even go out on a limb here and say even Manu appeared to have bulked up a fraction.
If Fergo performs at 75% of this years stats it’s going to make a huge difference to our attack and the amount of work the middle forwards need to do to.
Riveting reading mate.
Thanks Poppa. Good to see you here again.
This report, again tells me that 2018 needs to be well put behind us and put our full focus on next season, where I believe there will be no wood on the mantle piece next year, maybe not a trophy but it will come. Thanks sixties, I need to get down next year to watch one of these sessions.
One name that you mention does not surprise me and that is Ray Stone, I have only seen some games with him in it and one being an SOO junior match and he completely upped the tempo for the NSW team when he came on. Many believe he won’t make in the NRL owing to his size, only spot may be as 9, no where else. While he could be the ideal utility in that regard, I would not put him out of the running of a back row spot in any way.
I remember the first game being called on the radio with Peter Peters as a commentator when Paul Taylor ran onto the field in the 2nd row. Peters comment went along the lines of “who’s that playing in the second row? Parramatta have to be joking he can’t handle that spot, too small? Who ate their words after the match and PT played many more gutsy and strong games for the eels playing well above his weight.
Many others have been the same and John Baker, pound for pound, or gram for gram was one of the hardest as well,
Ray is surprisingly strong. His battle with Junior Paulo in the contact pit had to be seen Colin.
I’ll make no predictions yet Colin, but the attitude on the paddock is first class.
Squiz was the toughest I’ve seen for parra puns for pound Col. remember that rugby league week pic of him in mid? He made 50-60 tackles – tough as.
Milo
Have to agree with you Squiz, I sometimes wondered about that mud photo, if they had of taken stats of him, especially weight, he would have been a fair bit heavier.
Did you ever watch John Baker? He was incredibly tough, took no nonsense nor prisoner of the opposition and was not afraid to put it to his eels team mates either.
Yes Col. I do recall but was quite young at this time; but my old man also spoke of him and his toughness; Ray Higgs was also a fav.
I used to go to the training nights at Cumberland when he was at the club, he could not stand shirkers and anyone he thought had shirked their work in a gam as well as in training which in those days was 2 nights a week, Tues & Thursdays, with a Saturday morning gig if playing on Sundays.
One Tuesday evening when the players finished I went up to the pub where a good number went to have a beer, John rolled in and saw one of the other forwards who had a crook ankle and was let off from some training bits, with that he picked up a brick that held the door open, walked over and dropped it on the said players ankle, making a comment that questioned the problem ankle of the other one, and told him at least it should be crook now.
Great anecdote Coln. I reckon you’d have a few of those.
What’s interesting is that both players had a couple of beers together, and while one limped away there was no animosity between them. JB was tough on the field and off. He would have had a good military role as he would take not many prisoners if any.
The idea of will smith at centre is intriguing i think in attack hed be quite handy hes actually quite a strong runner
Yes, just don’t let the bugger kick!
I think it was just a case of the best option for him yesterday. But he certainly made every post a winner.
Hi Sixties – great write-up and glad to hear thst the boys are fired up and already the sense of passion is evident as players are competing for positions and contracts.
I would be interested to know how Kane Evans is looking. To me he looked cery gangly and too light last year. I thought he could carry another 5-6 kgs quite comfortably which would make him a more dama ging runner. Any evidence that he gas bulked up rhis season? I would like to see him as a starting prop this year
He has such a tall frame that it’s difficult to assess. To me he kooks bigger across the shoulders. I’ll check next week if I get the chance.
To give some perspective, try to line Peni Terepo up against other players – you might get the chance in some images. He sits at around 106kg. He isn’t small but looks lightweight against some of the others. I don’t think that the profile details have been updated as yet on the website. That will be interesting to see.
Any chance your able to get actual heights and weights?
GL surely isn’t 180cm. Curious on KE weight also.
Seems like online data does not change and very inaccurate
I’d agree about GL’s height. I’d estimate he’s about 5’8 in the old measurements. I’ll try to find out Evans current weight.
Wont play nrl this club !!!!!!!
To me he looked bigger in the Armidale photos, but that may just be the photography
G’day Mark, I just thought I may add my threepence worth to the Kane Evans enigma. I have paid particular attention to Evans size this season because as you rightly pointed out, he was looking quite gangly in the upper body last season when he came back from recovery of a broken arm after the WC.
I have had the good fortune to attend the Wed and Friday sessions this week if only for about an hour each time. Kane looks “HUGE” and it was reflected in the hits he put on and the way he carried the ball up. I reckon he is a must in the middle forward rotation 2019 if he stays fit and healthy. He’s playing like he believes it too.
Thanks for the update Rowdy. If we can get a prop rotation of Junior Paulo, Kane Evans, Daniel Alvaro + Peni Teropo or Tim
Tim Mannah Or Tepai Moreao I would be happy.
I believe Tepai would be wasted as a prop, better in the 2nd row to run the edges, the heavy defensive work would weaken his main value in his running game, for a big fella he has some speed to boost that running aspect, and hard to pull down in that mode as well.
The big improvement for Evans would be to run hard and straight more often. I recall Arthur Summons saying that Norm Provan always hurt tacklers because of running hard with his body shape..tall, gangly, bony, elbows and knees flying everywhere. And I recall Brad Arthur at signing said Evans gives us a different body shape to make defenders vary their technique.
I agree BDon
You might have to add Oregan Kaufusi to that list too Mark. And when the 2 Utoikamon brothers (who are both big units) are playing consistent footy for Wenty they may also add weight to the argument..
I spoke to kane at training and he described season gone as the worst hes had in nrl and was determined to make up for it , recognition is a good start .
Agree Leo. I’d suspect a few felt that way.
Outstanding write up Sixties.
Just wondering if you think from the training runs if any of the young guns will be blooded to first grade early in the 2019 season?? If so, who???
I’d expect Oregon to pick up where he left off in 2018. I’m of the opinion that both Brown and Stefano Utoikamanu are ready. I’ll be more confident in tipping one of them to start if they continue to perform well in opposed sessions in January.
Great and accurate report Sixties. How recall so much detail is impressive, especially when distracted by the huge contact and skill displayed by the two packs of forwards. I was also drawn to the speed at which the opposed session was played. The intensity was as you say, almost akin to an NRL match.
It makes me wonder what might become of our previous early season poor starts if we can maintain the enthusiasm and the commitment to achieve Adrian Jimines’ goals in the fitness and strength areas. I have not seen a team train with this intensity at this stage of a pre-season before. I’m sure this higher standard of footy in hand opposed sessions are a direct result of the S and F provided by AJ.
Cheers Rowdy. I’m glad you also mentioned the speed of the play.
Adrian was ba,s trainer when he won nyc with storm 2009 and hes been after him since finally getting him late last season where he made an immediate impact but alas we had run out of troops , incidentally storm 2009 20,s contained , oniell ,widdop ,proctor ,kelly ,griffin, duffie , leary, rochow , mclean , which proves you make good teams out of good players .
That was an awesome read! Thanks 60’s.
Wish we could’ve all seen Stone V Paulo in the pit of despair!!!!
It was a brilliant contact drill to watch.
Good report! I’ve noticed that in your reports Moses and Norman have been on different teams/groups. Norman with Brown and Moses with Salmon. Obviously Norman and Moses were terrible together in 2018. Are you surprised they haven’t been working together much so far this pre season?
That’s about to change. I think both have gone quite solidly as the dominant halves for each team. They’ll spend time together very soon. Watch this space.
I’ve noticed that too. Very interesting, you would think they would start the season together so they should be working together more.
I have noticed plenty of talk between the older and younger halves. It’s fair to think that the coaches would expect the experienced players to provide some mentoring for the younger players.
With the separation and working with a different halves partner, has Moses and Norms played in set positions in those combo’s, that is have they been playing in the normal positions of this past year, MM as 7 and Norms 6? Of have they rotated with the younger players in those positions?
While I’m not trying to read anything into their team positions its a curious situation to me, even though its the early stages of working together with different partners, will be interesting though when they are set back together, how that combo will go.
There is no such thing as 6 & 7 at Parra. Even left and right is not really a thing even though they will line up as such in defence. I’ve watched the halves circle around or shift across to the same side of the field for the last 4 years. Sometimes 7 passes to 6 on the left and sometimes 6 passes to 7 on the left and the same on the right. I guess what you want to know is who is running the show and it’s fair to say that the main guys have played that role on the side that your used to seeing them with the younger guys playing 2nd fiddle. I watched Brown start on the right, move outside Norman on the left, go back to first pass off the ruck on the right, then go first pass on the left all in one set on Friday
My concern here is they are both training to be the dominant half. This was one of our major problem last season. For mind Norman needs to be the dominant half.
Agreed. They need to know exactly what their roles are, and they need to be able to stay focused on that. It will be interesting to see what happens when they are training next to each other rather than on opposing teams.
That’s happening right now.
It will be really interesting to see who starts in the centres and therefore who plays fullback. I must admit I like Gutho at fullback, his positional play, talk and ability to ball play is very beneficial for us. I remember watching one Flegg game last season at ANZ and found myself looking up the name of a player who looked a step above most on the field. That was the only time I have seen Ethan Parry play, although I had read about him and he certainly looked very talented and good defensively. First grade is a big step but it will be exciting to see him given a chance when he is ready.
Ethan is 99kg. I’d estimate around 6’2. He’s strong and aggressive in his play, and a good communicator when playing fullback.
Gutho and French have opposed each other at the back in opposed work thus far.
Great summary Sixties. Couple of questions. Have you noticed a difference now that Jiminez is on board? Does Mark O’Neill show up to training?
Jimenez has made the training more game specific.
Still nothing from our wonderful media dept that O’Neill has commenced , that would be a good place to start.
What media department , tct is the only media at this club .
I haven’t seen O’Neill, but I’m only there for field work.
Jimenez is the drill sergeant.
I remember reading that he wasn’t commencing until late jan/feb
I was at the Parra office Monday gone and before that 2 weeks prior. O’Neill was well and truly settled in working both occasions. I have not seen him at training but i am not there often or for long periods. But i can confirm he is there.!
Thanks Billy.
In the initial media release by Parra it said he would be starting the 1st of November.
I only stayed for about half of the opposed session but one of my standouts was Shaun Lane. I saw a couple of very handy offloads from him and if there is something we definitely need in 2019 it’s 2nd phase play and some offloads.
Thanks for adding this Jonboy. That second phase play was certainly a feature.
Is Lachlan WIlmott still there or has he been replaced?
He is still there
As Jonboy said, he’s still there and still in the same role. He’s the Head of Athletic Performance. Jimenez was added around Round 13 last year.
great report, good to see the 20s players from the last few years going well
They’re doing themselves proud Greg.
Great again Sixtoes and thanks for others who added on.
Sixties have you noticed anything different in discipline at training ? and also I hazard to say defence being redone particularly in the ruck and I note your sandpit comments and also out wide where we often got tested.
I know defence is communication too but we often got caught out at times from 3rd man in to the wing.
There’s been a strong emphasis on communication and decision making in the defence line. Better decisions inside will help the outside men.
Discipline – interesting question. I’ve seen the staff pull up the whole team for the indiscretions of one – eg someone walks across a finish line in a run, you all do it again, someone finishes outside a time, do it again, cut a corner – again, cant get back onside in defence drill, do it again. It’s not that there wasn’t discipline before, because there was. But they are picking up minute errors that I can barely notice.
I’m loving these reports. I can honestly say now, that I’ve put the 2018 season behind me and I can’t wait for 2019! Looking forward to many more of these training reports over the next few months.
Thanks for that West Coast. I’ve needed to watch this training to put the season behind me also. I’m interested in how the team will take shape as the pre-season progresses. There’s important decisions to be made.
Haven’t closely followed a pre-season before, usually get on with other things. Brings it to life and so interesting, easy to think these blokes earn good money for a 6 month job, but just not the case. From what i’m reading, makes you think about what makes a difference in good and not so good teams. I can see sixties that you’ve got the microscope on the weaknesses from last season. A big one is the spine and you’re circling this one with patience. Great reading.
I’ve said before that the spine has to own the team. It doesn’t matter who wears the C next to their name, you must have leaders in the spine.if Gutho plays fullback you have a C in the spine, but you must also have a leader in the halves too.
Great read Sixties. Your reports have helped me get out of the fetal position and look forward to 2019.
Cheers
Cheers Moff. I knew that position well during 2018.
Fantastic stuff 60s. Greatly appreciated.
A simple question but one I have no idea of.
How often do the boys train and for how long?
From your reports, my impression is that its Mon through Fri with probably PHs excluded, 2 hours per day. Would this be about right?
Thanks.
During pre-season there’s something happening Mon-Fri, and this week they also did a couple of hours in a club wide session on Saturday morning.
They go from morning (variable starting times but they are mostly into work by around 8:30 I believe – sometimes earlier) and go through to the afternoon. There’s field work, including conditioning, gym/weights, individual skill development, forwards work, backs work, athletic development, contact, recovery, meetings. They film the field work and then spend time with players doing analysis.
The field sessions I watch go for about 2 hours but it’s a fairly full day outside of that. Even the players in rehab do very full days of running, bikes, gym etc.
Great. Thanks for that. I had no idea. Fingers crossed. I cant wait.
Top shelf as per usual 60s.
From the pics I’ve seen, Taka seems to be in with the forwards still. Is that what you’ve seen or with the centre shortage is he being moved back there / utility?
To be honest, I really couldn’t make a call on that. At one stage, I thought it looked like he was back with the backs. That will probably be clearer in that period straight after new year.
Thx 60s. We’re definitely not short on solid backrowers.
MattL
Does anyone know the role of Mick Potter