Once again, this Wednesday’s report will be a mixture of the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions.
Tuesday is a light workload day and wouldn’t really justify a dedicated post, but some feedback from it does provide a greater picture of some of the preparations that make up the pre-season.
Keeping up the theme of mixture, the Wednesday opposed session brought with it the swapping and changing of halves, fullbacks and props. There was an unexpected constant that didn’t change today, which makes for some interesting speculation.
With the return of Blake Ferguson from his mandated NRL leave, the 2019 squad is now all on deck for training. There are a few players in rehab, something that is typical in any season, but with the majority available for full contact the stage becomes set for combinations to be worked upon.
Here’s how the last two days have evolved:
Tuesday
The early morning was spent with groups of players working on position specific skills. Prior to my arrival, the halves had been honing their long passes. When I arrived, another group were working on their passing and tip ons with Potter and Kidwell.
Like most skill drills, this was scaffolded from the skill itself to running it at an opposition. Quick hands were the name of the game.
The interesting aspect to observe was the banter between Ferguson and the other players. They’ve obviously made him feel at home and he’s easily adjusted.
Following the skills work, the entire squad moved onto the field to consolidate their knowledge of the basic shapes coming from deep in their own territory.
This has to be second nature. With a couple of young halves and a large number of new players added to the full-time squad, it’s no surprise that extra time is required on this aspect.
Wednesday
It doesn’t matter how often I watch this bloke train, I continue to be amazed by Clint Gutherson. Even though the young players have thrown everything they have and more into keeping up with him, the reality is that the King is in a class of his own.
The players were put through their shuttle runs with all of the up and downs off the ground. This was followed with a timed run of around 1.5km.
In the backs group, Gutho simply blasted away from the pack and maintained that distance. The closest to him was Haze Dunster (probably about 40m behind), then Reed Mahoney who came with a withering finish to reel in about 4 or 5 players ahead of him in the last 200 metres.
Marata Niukore is building nicely into 2019.
In the forwards, it was Mannah leading the pack, with Marata Niukore placing just behind. The Kiwi back rower is really warming into this pre-season (more on this later.)
With the players fatigued from the conditioning, it was the ideal time to move into some full contact opposed footy.
The main features of the opposed session were:
* At first, it seemed like the players in main contention were playing in the Red team.
* The halves were swapped between the two teams. Moses and Norman had first crack, with Brown and Smith opposing them.
* Brown and Norman traded positions, with Moses staying in Red to play the dominant role. Therefore, Moses had an uninterrupted session at half. Can anything be read into this? Probably not.
* Gutherson swapped from Red to Blue, trading places with French.
* Salmon played in the centres today, swapping from Blue team to Red team. His game was marked by a couple of very strong charges, one through the middle and the other out wide.
* Marata Niukore set up a superb try for Gutherson. Running out wide near the halfway mark, he charged into space, put on a great step to beat a defender and then offloaded in the tackle for Gutho to score.
Danny didn’t get the ball away this time.
* One of the breaks saw Danny Alvaro break into the open off second phase footy before he himself offloaded in a tackle. Only great scramble ended the raid.
* David Gower reminded us that he is a five-eighth trapped in a forward’s body.
* Quality second phase footy was matched by smart defensive decisions.
* Other inclusions today were the games of beach footy and raid footy, and of course the usual extras. The games were highly competitive, and the emphasis was on finding and creating space. These are fun games and there was a fair share of banter and celebrations.
Final Comment
The Wednesday session would have pleased the coaches. Apart from one wasted opportunity following a penalty, the players executed many of the plays that the coaches had been working on.
There were good questions asked of the defence, especially on the back of the work through the middle. Breaks made were shut down by scrambling defence.
Bring on Friday!
Eels forever!
Sixties
Great write up again. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Gutho hasn’t hit 100 games yet he is that much of a leader.
Quick question though. With reports that the refs are going to relax again and the crackdown from 2018 seems dead, can having a bigger forward pack in 2019 be a positive or a hindrance? No secret that with a smaller pack, we struggled during the blitz as bigger packs were getting a rest.
Personally, I think there’s always a place for bigger forwards. That said, our biggest player, Junior, who will probably play at just under 130kg, is quite mobile, as are our other big players – Alvaro and Kaufusi at 115kg.
Once again sixties a great read. The swapping around of players in the combo’s makes it very interesting and likely for the halves to show how well they play themselves but also in different combinations, being ready I guess for any changes over the season.
Junior at 130Kg and if his momentum is kept up is certainly going to be a bonus for the season ahead, and each player will be looking to cement their futures at the eels.
It will be a huge year for Gutho as he will certainly be a key to where we end up, his speed and constantly showing how he is leading in the runs, really suits him as a winger, but that would also waste him, is he good enough to knock one of the main centres out or, will it be at the back. Would love to know how Bev is going, he looks a bit bigger and with a confidence injection along with his uncanny abilities that went on holidays this past season could be huge for him as he looks to lock down a top grade spot again.
Colin I like you have some interest in Bevan. Would be nice if he could get back to his 16/17 form. A bit of speculation about tonight regarding Norman and the Dragons.
We should try to swap him for that young centre Lomax.
That works
French or Norms? Besides if one them goes to the dragons, do we not have others in our system that could fill the spot?
John, he has too much talent to not perform again, if he doesn’t and given the club has tried to help him adjust to being in Sydney, then he may also fail at another club, which to me would be sad.
If Norms goes to the dragons, then it opens up the 1 spot at the eels for someone to own it.
I believe that Gutho deserves to settle into one positio, and that’s fullback.
For what it is worth- I agree
Great read Sixties. I was encouraged to see that at least our coach has a good memory, Gutho training at fullback is a no brainer for mine, it was where he shone in 2017 prior to his ACL injury. He was inspirational coming into the backline and supporting the big ball carriers through the middle third. It certainly showed he is a genuine fullback. Unfortunately coming back from injury impeded his off season and the fact that BA was obliged to give Bevan a gallop at the back and the extra pressure of trying to fit Hayne in and around them. At training contact sessions Gutho is playing with confidence and looks to have all his speed and vision back.
My grandmother liked Parra but wasn’t much of a footy fan and even she said “If it ain’t broken don’t fix it”. Maybe BA had his own premonition but my Nana was a very Godly women with the gift of Prophecy proven during her life and especially after she went to be with her best friend Jesus. I wonder if there wasn’t a little bit of today’s team selections in mind when she said that? If so, Fergy should play this season on the wing too.
I think a lot have forgotten that French and Gutherson both had serious knee injuries, Guth was always going to be slower as the ACL is looked at differently. Just the same French did a posterior ligament the same season and came back when it was totally removed in that year.
I have no doubt that it effected his balance and swerve and also a couple of metres of pace last year, even after the benefit of the off season.
The question this year has that posterior injury has now been bedded down and the surrounding muscles compensating.
Bevan French’s greatest aspect is his pace but also his anticipation and being able to get there. There is also a big issue with our fan base over his size and being rag dolled. The harping on this does effect his confidence.
I am hoping like everyone that he is back to full confidence this year, his skill level as a football player is as high as the top 1/2 dozen in the whole club.
One final thing is that French’s ability under the high ball is much underrated, I have seen him jump higher than many of the bigger players around him.
One final tip Bevan, if you can, do not read any social media and tell your friends and family you don’t want to know what they are saying. Listen to your coaches and teammates and forget everyone else.
Seriously poppa his team mates and coaches arent telling him to get rag dolled and he is weak under the high ball and his mistake rate is terrible it is that simple mate , its shape up or shipout time !!!!!!!
Ditto Leo.
I thought that with Bev it came down to decision making. He stopped playing smart – which for him was his natural instinct, and started second guessing himself – and as a consequence tried to beat players on the outside far too often. He also had a couple of low involvement games, which wingers just can’t do. Hopefully, he finds the old Bev.
He is no smaller than Dufty or Slater. Being rag dolled is a result of taking poor options. He still has a high level of athleticism and his instincts are good. He had good positional play as a junior and there is no reason to suspect that he can’t regain this with confidence
Looking forward to a fit and confident Gutho at fullback.
I think we are all in agreement re Gutho in the # 1 shirt. So with Fergo taking one wing, surely the other one belongs to George Jennings.
If M Jennings is assumed as one centre is it a showdown between Taka and Salmon for the other one?
Oh…I love all this speculating and pontificating during the off-season!!!
Jonboy, don’t forget Will Smith has had a run at centre a week or so ago and killed it with his running game and setting up outside supports. so we have at least 4 options for the other centre spot. Depth is the key to lifting competition for positions in our team this year and it looks like we have that right across the park mate.
Hey mate , how is Nathan brown travelling May I ask ?
Been solid. Didn’t notice him on Wednesday.
According to his social media looked like he was in hospital today, maybe for an opp. Hopefully nothing too serious!!
Been out injured mate for a few weeks now. Injured knee doing defensive work in the sand pit.!
Not quite that long. He has been in opposed sessions but I didn’t know why he was missing this last week or so. Players pop in and out of opposed work due to rehab of niggles or maybe an injury in a match. Some rehab is inside on bikes and rowers, some is outside running. Saw Browny there on Thursday, but he wasn’t running.
Sixties, when do they break for Christmas / festivas?
I guess combinations will begin to be sorted soonish. i know the first trial is some time away, but i guess in a months time it will be countdown to the trials.
Interesting to see Smith being used as a half too.
I’m guessing they will stop around 20th/21st Dec.
January starts getting serious.
Thanks for the report 60’s
Who would you say would be our starting back-rowers/lock ?
Like the idea of Marata replacing Tepai , can you still see Manu as a starter? Presume brown is a must.
I reckon the forwards are going to present BA with tougher decisions to make on a week to week basis than who our starting 6 & 7 will be!
Junior is possibly the only bloke that has a starting position. Polar, Timmy and Evans are all going to be fighting for the front row job.
Lane didn’t get brought over to play ISP so surely he has 1st option on one edge. Manu, Tepai, Marata, Teripo, Gower are all contenders. Let’s not forget Taka, where will Taka end up back row or centres?
Browny surely has lock locked up but Marata and Kaufusi have to be viable alternatives.
If Norman and Moses can’t find form behind the pack we have assembled then they both need to hang up their boots!!!
I reckon you’re on the mark Jonboy, especially with regard to our forward potential this year, although from what I’ve seen and read of Ray Stone this preseason it might be fair to say he also is a smokey for a bench spot as he covers hooker, edge and 13.
In the backs we have plenty of competition and therefore numerous options for every position especially if Taka is considered as a centre again. I liked what I saw of Smith’s attack at centre and he is generally pretty safe defensively. I don’t believe BA will want to weaken fullback to play Gutho in the centres or want to move Fergy from the wing for the same reason.
Could Ray Stone be our Hooker ? Honestly we have too many short back rowers as it is in Mau and Browny and don’t think having him partnered with these 2 would work. Lane will play thats for sure and hes tall but he wont be starter come round 1, no way BA would throw him in to start straight away. Yeah It’s looking good for our forwards as far as competing for spots. Personally think Tepai’s got to go, could prove me wrong though.
This is what i see
Junior Paulo
Ray Stone?
Daniel Alvaro
Manu Mau / Tepai
Marata Niukore
Nathan Brown
————————————
Kane Evans
Peni Terepo/Kafusi
Shaun Lane
Tepai Moeroa
What no mahoney ; wow ????
He’s a must.
Why is he a must.?
If Peni Terepo is fit he will be in the 17
He is a very dynamic prop, perhaps not heavy enough though to impact the line if he takes it on rather than going around them with amazing speed for a bigger man.
I think that it has been reported that Taka has been training with the Fowards
This is going to be a make or break season for a number of players especially considering the number off contract at the end of the season.
Tepai has to stand up…his head knocks last season hurt us often. Technique must be a contributing factor. Remember 2017 how often Timmy was HIA bound, somehow that changed 2018 so hopefully Tep can get it done.
I’m a huge fan of Manu but again the variation between best and average performance is large and somewhat frequent.
The young guns are really going to make the older boys hurt this season I think.
Agree Rowdy – you keep strength where it belongs.
Taka, position should be wenty , bigger mistake rate than kenny edwards .
I know that Adrian Jimenez rates Tep, so if he needs some physical work done, Adrian’s the man.
I’m with you on a couple of fronts Jonboy. How tough will it be picking the pack, and the necessity of Normz and Moses to lift.
This is a tough one, especially so far out from round 1.
I reckon the pack to open the season will be:
Alvaro
Mahoney
Paulo
Niukore
Lane
Brown
Bench:
Ma’u
Mannah
Moeroa
Kaufusi
Crazily, I haven’t named Baz, and I’d name Utoikamanu if he was eligible.
Baz?
Peni,s nick name
Sixties you have not mentioned Peni Terepo. Am I the only person who likes this guy. I felt certain that he would be in the 17. No Evans?
I have mentioned Peni (Baz). I am desperately trying to find a place for him in the Top 17 because he runs the ball harder than anyone. With everyone fit, it’s probably a battle between him, Manu and Tep for two spots.
My apology I couldn’t work out who Baz was.
The three that you mentioned make it hard. Would not like to be making the choice. Further what do you think is Peni’s best position. I like him at 13 but Browny has that sewn up. He is very good on the edge but there is a log jam there
You know better than me but I would have Evans on the bench instead of Ma’u and use Moeroa as the replacement edge forward
Yeah me too Wile. That’s exactly what I’d do mostly because I do not think that Manu will be as fit as the rest of the squad. Depending on how well Evans starts the season I would even look at him as a starting prop. I also believe we are very strong in the forwards so as to allow us the luxury of a utility player on the bench, perhaps Ray Stone as a back-up for Mahoney and he also covers middle and edge rotation. Kaufusi to Reggies.
Utoikamanu – do you mean he won’t be eligible or he can be eligible, just not right now?
Why do Alvaro and Mannah both have to be in the team? Reputation? Because they’re both outstanding trainers and would be cruel to drop either? They’re very similar in terms of play style; do we really need both? Or to put it another way, would we really miss Mannah if he was replaced by Terepo?
I feel like the whole team gels WAY better defensively when Mannah is on. That’s my two cents. Besides, his drive, his competitiveness is far greater than Alvaro, if you ask me.
Agree Rob.
Okay, then drop Alvaro and keep Mannah. My point is that we don’t need both.
Hi Sixties – thanks for another grea t report.
I’m interested to know of you have seen much of Maeko Sivo at training. Do you think he will be one of our starting wingers in 2019?
Wouldn’t he have to displace G Jennings and or Blake Ferguson to be there?
I’d think French would get a look in too.
I’m not saying that his highlight reel YouTube videos aren’t amazing and awe-inspiring, not to mention Semi-esque, but he’s not played 1st grade and he’s 25. Something must be missing?
Something missing, It could be feelers from French Rugby? That always gets the Fijians and the Money Bill whathisnames all excited about staying loyal to those who identified their potential and spent stacks on developing them or doesn’t?
He’s in the rehab group. Hopefully we’ll see him in the reports soon.
Fuuuuuui (Not Anon)
He injured his shoulder playing for Penrith. Is in the rehab process. Doing plenty of running!
Another great read. Thank you.
Where was your advantage point regarding the timed run. From where i watched i seen different results.
1st. King Gutho by some distance
2nd. Dunster a little back
3rd Schneider
4th Brown / Mahoney
5th Mahoney / Brown very tight between the two
Brown struggling with a minor back problem at present.
Iv been very impressed by Utoikamanu. I think he is a certain to be promoted to top 30
Mahoney picked up Schneider before the goal posts. Absolutely flew the last 200m. Brown finished a bit back. I was at the running track.
I am not here to argue with anyone, So lets agree to disagree. But i can categorically state i am correct.
Ha
60’s is correct I was there too
Yeah, it’s no big deal but Mahoney went from about 6th to 3rd within 100 metres. It was something that as it happened caught the eye of Ham, Parrathruandthru and I – it was a stunning burst at the end of the run. He literally flew past some of the fittest players like they were standing still.
As for Utoikamanu, I agree that they must find a way to promote him into the top 30.
Thanks