Over the course of the pre-season I’ve been staying tight lipped in my comments about Junior Paulo. There’s been the odd bit of praise here and there, but generally it’s been presented as a low key return.
Today, in a few key moments, I saw enough to predict that Junior will be one of the buys of the season.
Similarly, ex-Sea Eagle Lane looks set to add an extra dimension to the Eels attack. These would be the highlight players from today’s opposed session.
Not that the Eels got it easy this morning.
Adrian Jimenez continued to ask conditioning questions of the squad. There was no let up in the physical demands on the players. But I also saw a bit more footy, and it was a bit less contrived.
Yes the play was stopped at certain points. And it was re-started according to coaches instructions. But today’s footy was more free-flowing, with some passages played out till stoppages were reached.
Here are the noteworthy moments:
The Junior Factor
Last year it was obvious that Parra missed the big impact forward – the X Factor in the pack possessed by the top teams. That cannot be said of the Eels in 2019.
Munz, Tim, Junior.
This morning I got a little reminder of Junior Paulo’s football arsenal.
The big man – and he will play somewhere between 120 and 130 kg – has the power to win the contact in both attack and defence. He hits hard in the tackles, see Ethan Parry, and is a handful to wrap up when carrying the footy.
Which brings us to his second phase play. This morning, just like previous opposed sessions, Junior was able to pop the ball. He’s a damaging runner, so it’s not always on the agenda. This capacity to mix his play will benefit the Eels attack. He’s also combining well with the other forwards.
The thing that stuns me about Junior is his agility for a big man. He’s not going to win any marathon runs, but the big prop is light on his feet. This morning he put on some footwork at the line that would have done Zip Zip Ella proud. On a previous occasion, in the contact pit, Junior was balancing on Jaeman Salmon’s back, and flipping back and forth in a great display of agility and core strength.
Shaun Lane – A New Dimension
I believe our recruit from the Northern Beaches will surprise Eels supporters in 2019.
Lane could be just what the Eels need.
Firstly, he appears to have bulked up a bit over this pre-season. This added strength won’t hurt his confidence. It’s only training, but Lane hasn’t missed his opposites in contact work.
Belief in defensive capabilities is exactly what the club needs after 2018. It was obvious that the players lost confidence in themselves and in the player beside them.
With all this attention drawn to his defence, Lane’s best contribution will be to the Eels attack.Today I observed a potential combination between Lane and Gutho as they worked down the left corridor with Lane putting Gutho into space with a clever ball.
Don’t You, Forget About Me
What to do with an in-form Bevan French?
It’s my opinion that Gutho’s days of being Mr Backline-Fixit are at an end. I see him as the 2019 fullback. Opposite him, French has been training exclusively at fullback.
Today French impressed as he ran a great line to burst into the clear and then sent Mitch Moses over for a try.
Will he have to bide his time at fullback for Wenty, or will he be returned to where it all started – the wing?
It’s a tough call based on last year. It’s a much easier call based on previous seasons.
NRL Up For Grabs
There was a bit more chopping and changing between the “first” and “second” teams today, in a big indicator that places are yet to be earned.
Two of the young guns – Schneider and Utoikamanu.
A few players were absent – eg Jennings (not sure if he was doing gym work indoors) and Ferguson (who probably was at work indoors as he emerged towards the end of the session).
However, the key swaps were Gutho and French swapping the fullback roles between the two teams, a number of forwards switching teams and Sivo having his first run with the top team.
Parry’s Got The Ball – Smash Him!
It seems that every opposed session provides a highlight moment of Ethan Parry getting smashed by someone. It mostly, though not exclusively, has been Junior Paulo. Cash Mahoney has also left his mark as has Blake Ferguson.
But don’t worry Ethan, you’re in good company.
For 18 months, Marata Niukore wore a target on his head. All the big hits were delivered on him. Why? Well as Tim Mannah explained to us, Marata never surrendered in tackles at training. It was either hit him hard or he’d go through.
I reckon this could be a case of Parry making the right impression on his team mates.
Boom Crash Hurtya
I’m liking the physicality of the contact in training. Today was no exception in the big collision department. If I compiled a list, it would include:
The look on Polar’s face tells you about the collision.
The aforementioned Junior on Parry – not just today but every chance he gets..
Oregon Kaufusi on George Jennings.
Shaun Lane on a number of people.
Reed Mahoney on anyone that moved. At one stage, he had to pull out of smashing an orange vested Manu Ma’u.
Thats three big forwards (and their dummy half) delivering a message on the training paddock. We need everyone delivering likewise on the field in 2019.
A Final Word
Supporters and some media types often make jokes about the cliche “toughest pre-season ever”. Yes it’s a hackneyed phrase used by some footballers when questioned about their preparations, but I wonder how clever such “jokes” are.
The fact is that each pre-season, for every team, is likely to be their toughest yet. That’s because every coach, every trainer, is looking for a step up on the previous season. They’re looking for an edge over their opposition. They need to be doing something different with the players every year, offering different challenges.
If you get the chance to talk to an NRL player, ask them what their pre-season has been like. And if they tell you how tough it’s been, that’s probably a statement of fact.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Great stuff. Ta 60s.
For such a big man, I also recall Juniors ability to play big minutes. Fifita is a freak in that regard but given the opportunity I’m sure Junior could extend his game time if circumstances warranted.
Any sign of Prichard? Mahoney appears to be front and center in all good things happening.
Pritchard opposed Mahoney in the session, with Schneider filling in around the halves.
Has Mannah bulked up or am I being tricked by his beard
I’ll have to ask. I believe he has, but to what extent I’m not sure.
Mannah looks in great condition
Works hard at it Tad.
Great reports lately mate, thankyou
By the sounds of it cash has gone to another level, I think he will be massive for the club this year and will be a real X factor along with Shaun Lane.
Cash is definitely gone up a level since last year. Not surprising considering he started off as a six week preseason player.
Cash goes low in defence. Tries to cut players down as opposed to Pritchard who tries to smash everyone.
That he does!
Awesome post Sixties, Im feeling quietly confident about our prospects this year. Just a question, based on 2017 preseason, do the boys look as hungry?
I think it’s a fair call to say that the squad maybe had an attitude that they were going to be in the finals, based on 2017. It’s not that they didn’t work hard, but we all saw their heads go down when matches didn’t go their way. This year, the experienced players are busting their arses to erase 2018, and the young blokes are nipping at their heels and just embracing the hard work and full time training experience.
Great read on Junior mate – glad he’s coming along well. Just need him and Lane fit for the season – both are terrific buys. We just need them to bring form and competition for spots to the current squad.
Sounds promising mate thanks
I was happy when we signed both. I’m even happier now.
It might be the “toughest preseason ever” but more importantly it seems that the players are in a much better frame of mind, and are more confident in themselves and other players around them. I think that will be the key. There’s no doubt these players have ability, but unless they fully believe that, success won’t come easy.
An excellent and informative post Sixties, well done!
It certainly appears that there is another lift in the standards at least that what I read from it. Comparing the words with the full page of photo’s on the eels webb site provides for a good look at the players their tackle inputs as well those trying to attack.
Looking at the photo of Jnr, Tim and Munz, — Ma’u must have a new nickname, but it took me a bit to finally realise this player with the fuzzy locks compared to his past seasons, he also looks to have bulked up a bit and has his old/younger days hungry look about him meaning a dangerous player on return.
We are only 4 weeks off the first trial match against Canberra and will be worth seeing Jnr against his old club.
Cheers Colin. Manu is definitely bigger, especially around the upper legs. He said that he was aiming to be bigger.
Great update as usual Sixties, having watched these younger players coming through and occasionally at training – Dylan Brown was special, Stefano just needs a it more “big mature opposition ” , but Ethan Parry was my pick alongside Brown to get first shot at NRL.
Personally think the top 30 rule counts against clubs that have juniors as it prevents some players making early appearances. Thanks to Greenburg and thought bubble from the large person from Souffs they employed for a year the. NRL implemented it.
The contact sessions are enormous, and if you get the chance, well worth attending the Saleyards.
BD, all clubs have the 30 player rule, they also have, I stand corrected on this, another 5 or 6 development players to add to the squad, there are some conditions in the rule and sure Sixties can clarify what those conditions are, but it does allow for NRL selection.
Colin, I am aware of the rules as I was involved in the juniors and elite programmes until 3 years ago. My point was that when there are a number of good performing juniors coming through, the rule can stunt their progression and doesn’t benefit development clubs. The Roosters and others it has little impact.
Whilst they can as development designated players , come into NRL this coming season after June 30 ( not allowed in prior seasons unless injuries provided space) , I would think that players like Parry, Stefano, Dunster and others may deserve it prior to that date, but will need to be held back. Yet another decision by the NRL that doesn’t help clubs like the Eels or Panthers.
Thanks Derek. I agree with you regarding development players and hope that making them eligible after June 30 is a stepping stone to full eligibility in future seasons.
Good update Sixties, thanks. Sounds like conditioning, defence & giving the development players an opportunity are a focus of this pre-season, a great trifecta!
It’s exciting to watch the young players do so well alongside the senior group, and receive the coaching input that will take them to the next level.
When you look through any photos of the team this year there is a very noticeable change in size in most of the boys. I hope we don’t go onto win the comp to then have it taken off us in 2-3 years after an investigation into a dodgy supplement regime.
No risk there.
Of winning or the dodgy supplement program?
No dodgy stuff there. A couple of blokes, including Polar, started adding their weight in the back half of 2018 season.
As far as dodgy supplements are concerned, I heard Timmy was taking Viagra to add a couple of inches to his height?
Oh Rowdy!!!
Mannah and Alvaro just might look a lot better with Paulo in the mix, plus hard runners like NIukore, Moeroa, Mau and Brown with a few extra kgs and a possible x-factor with Shaun Lane could see a far better platform in 2019. Every time you mention Paulo sixties, I think ‘this bloke is replacing Siosaia Vave’ (not knocking him) and I convince myself we’re in much better shape.
And a little reminder – Junior has only just turned 25. His best years as a prop are ahead of him.
Sixties mate, these posts are invaluable for the supporters. Your team’s passion & even handedness is outstanding!! – I for one am looking forward to this year with optimism. As I have done since following them since I was a 10yo in 1967. Loving the injection of size & youth. That smells upwards to me!! Cheers guys!!
Thanks for replying Steeleel. Anyone who visits Saleyards, or gets along to the first trial, will be very surprised with our size.
Terepo is one guy who looks the same size. How has he looked? Personally I would start him with Alvaro with Jnr and Mannah on bench.
It’s a fair call regarding his size. I think they’ll start with Junior and Polar, but then again it might vary according to the opposition.
How’s Peni going this pre-season? In the photos he looks really lean! Cheers
See my reply above, Dom. Looks about the same.
Another life sustaining article to help us all get through to February 15 (unless you’re going to Blacktown Patties for the Juniors).
Lane looks to be 5-10 kgs heavier than last year, mainly around thighs and shoulders. How is his speed looking? Has the added muscles killed some of his pace?
I think you’ll have TCT at the Junior rep trials Panic.
To be honest, I haven’t paid attention to his speed at training. When they’re sprinting, there’s normally up to 30 players running on the same field. You tend to notice first few and maybe last few.
You’ve mentioned a few times who the first few usually are. Who are usually the last few?
That can vary, but I prefer not to get into that. The coaches will determine a standard needed by each individual, not me. Eg – I wouldn’t expect Junior to win marathons nor would I expect Moses to win a bench press competition. They’d have a goal for every player.
Oh I agree, was just wondering if there might be any surprises at the back of the pack in any drills that’s all
Some of your best work over the past few weeks sixties. Great stuff. You have gone to a new level this year and from your reports, I suspect the team has also.
No doubt they’ve been incredible on the training paddock. Let’s hope that such effort, attitude and execution transpires on match days.
I’m not sure fitness means a lot. Hayne was never one of the fittest but was one of the games best.
I’d base judgement more on effort.