The players were greeted by comfortable conditions of around 18 degrees at the start of today’s proceedings – something that was surely appreciated by all in what was a relatively low impact but high intensity session.
The squad was separated into three groups to start.
There were the fellas in rehab – a group that can change on a daily basis as players deal with everything from surgical procedures to minor niggles to conditioning catch up. Blokes in this group can sometimes find themselves running for upwards of an hour, depending on the reason for being in this group.
Joey was working with his group, imparting his wisdom of the finer points of running into the advantage line. A major feature of his coaching was how engaged the players were – and they were literally soaking up his instructions like sponges.
Meanwhile, the rest of the squad worked with the coaching staff. Notable absentees were Mitch Moses, Nathan Brown, Blake Ferguson and Ryan Matterson who were involved in a day with the extended Blues squad.
Joey and BA
The initial focus today was second phase play. By the time this drill commenced, Joey’s group was ready to join the rest of the squad. Working down a particular side of the field, the action was fast paced and constant as offloads turned into quick shifts of the ball. This opposed work incorporated hit ups into the pads rather than tackles – they did their share of contact a couple of days ago.
With that behind them, the main squad then lined up across the field and commenced 10 metre shuttle runs with up/downs and concentrating on being in unison. The distances were increased to 20 metres, and then 30 metres, with Elkin giving them a count to maintain pace. Communication between players was a focus, particular supporting each other as fatigue set in. This conditioning work seemed to go on and on, and probably lasted for around 20 minutes.
The players were then split into four groups to form two opposed games laterally across the field. It was two hand touch, with the defender having to exit the playing field via a corner post before re-joining the defensive line. This morphed into very vocal games of Fijian touch. At first glance this looked simply like a bit of fun for the guys, but you could also see the skills being honed and the fast paced decision making under the fatigue created by the almost non-stop work completed earlier.
Dylan Brown
A highlight was the freakish 30 metre flick pass delivered out of the back of Dylan Brown’s hand that landed on the chest of a team mate who crossed for the try. This received cheers from both teams. Dylan just smiled. This young man’s seemingly endless skills continue to grow.
The footy concluded with a quick game of full field, two handed touch, with only three plays per possession. You have to let that ball move in this game.
This old spectator was suitably impressed today. The future is certainly bright for Eels fans.
Fletch
Final Word
I was unable to attend today’s session due to a funeral, so I’d like to thank Fletch for this report, and Parrathruandthru for the additional notes. From junior reps to NRL, TCT is blessed with associates who share our passion for the Eels and this network allows us to keep the updates coming, even when circumstances prevent our attendance.
The annual Christmas training event will be held at Old Saleyards next Friday. It should be a terrific opportunity for Eels members to watch the squad in action and get some autographs of their favourite players. Check with the official Eels site for more details.
Outside of that, the club will launch into the future with their move into the Kellyville facility next week.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Thanks Fletch and Sixties and Parrathruandthru. Always great to read the reports and also for another member to pass on their thoughts.
Great work.
Fletch did you notice the talking of guys like Brown and Salmon? Are they vocal when leading the plays?
Interesting the second phase – a good area of focus when the team has earned this during a play.
Thanks Milo.
Yes they were vocal throughout but having said that, they are all encouraged to communicate and talk a lot. It’s great to watch the calls during play, the chatter and encouragement when things come off or are close and also the support when things don’t quite work out. They help each other shake it off and move on quickly.
Thanks Fletch and well done on the report.
The talk is great to witness when it is only the one team playing etc.
I was happy to read about Dylan’s 30 metre pass. Firstly because it is an illustration of the great skill possessed by this kid but secondly by the cheering of both the attacking and defensive team.
To me it is an illustration of how close knit this group of players are. What you want is a group of players who are willing to lay it all on the line for their team mates and it certainly sounds to me this is what we have in this group of players.
John, finding their voice as a team is vital. It’s important in the tough times when they need to encourage and urge each other, it’s important in the good times to celebrate each other, it’s important when they’re communicating on the field. There’s the occasional day at training when the voices are down. They are training full time so you can understand being flat occasionally. For the most part it’s terrific. You’ll notice that I’ll often make a point of the talk. Good or bad. As one player said to me, it should be a non negotiable. What I’m pleased with is seeing the players that call out encouragement from the sideline – boys in rehab watching the main group or those who’ve finished a conditioning run and are yelling their support for the fellas still running.
Good report guys, thanks
Seem like training is a well orchestrated mixed up – each session is so different
Cheers Anon. They train for just on 10 months of the year, with a preseason of around 4 months. Their days can start from around 5:30 am. That’s enormous physically and psychologically. The sports science aspect looks at the physical load, rehabilitation, “prehabilitation”, and they would definitely be looking at the mental side of it. Their daily schedule has been designed to include physical preparation and well-being.
Thanks guys for the latest report post was good to get home to read
sixties, trust all went as well as could be under the circumstances of you being away.
I had a visit to my Nuero Surgeon at Kingswood yesterday, he’s not too happy and wants to avoid the knife, he has referred me to a specialist in Blacktown early January for specialised injections into the affect hip areas and back to see the surgeon a mid January, where I will learn the results and what is to be done.
Mention that the eels will be moving to Kellyville after this week, would appreciate it if anyone could tell me when the training recommences, days and arrangements for people to view the sessions, as I could get to see one on the way down or back, days I go are 6th & 20th January.
Thanks Colin. All good mate, appreciate the sentiment. Take care of yourself – best wishes for an optimum result.
If you email me closer to each date in January, I might be able to help you out with a time on those dates.
Great report sixties and the team. Colin, if you have some hip issues , I cannot stress highly enough to start looking to take Collagen powder. There is type 1, 2 and 3 collagen and to get all 3 types you need to take it from both bovine and marine sources. It is quite remarkable the difference it makes. Do your Google research including this site https://collagenx.com.au also Facebook search CollagenX to read all the research. Take it for 6 weeks and let me know the difference. You can also buy high strength from Chemist shops. Always consult your medical professional. Now back to the footy…lol…I think the addition of Andrew Johns will make a huge difference. The confidence and skill he will inject will be a huge factor next year and I smell a huge season coming up
Thanks PT, the problem I have is not the hip itself rather its from the two lower discs, L4/5 & L5/6, they are shot with the Nuero Surgeon wanting to avoid surgery as I already have had the middle one L3/5 fused. He wants to try different options, rather than surgery, he is ultra cautious which I am happy about.
The scans I have had show the hip is ok, its primarily the referred nerves that are the problem..
For me, I think the signing of Joey is could end up being the best signing of the season.,
Exciting times fellas.
Thanks PT. Huge thanks to Fletch for writing this up, & to PT&T for his notes.
Really invaluable training insights from Fletch, Sixties. Long time mate. I hope you’re well.
Really pleased to hear we’re working on second phase play & so many are coming along. I’ve got no questions on our attacking skill & potential.
The primary query I have is with our defence & mental toughness: under pressure & away.
We didn’t beat a single top-eight team away; and our away defence was one of the worst in the comp (only 4 bottom eight teams conceded more tries, and we conceded equal no. of tries with second last placed Saints). And Saints are really focusing on toughness post-review and have also employed a mental coach. Not sure if we employ one? And what we’re doing to address our defensive issues, especially around the ruck area, whist our right defence conceded a lot more tries than our left? Better defence will also help our attack.
It was interesting, that in the late 70s we often were one of the best attacking teams in the competition (Cronin was top pointscorer for consecutive years). In 1980 we had the 2nd best attack (but 5th best defence/from 12 teams) and missed the finals. It wasn’t until Jack, from 1981 onwards, helped transform us into 1st-2nd best defensive units to compliment our attacking potential, that we won titles.
Anyway, just my thoughts. I’m sure the coaching staff are on top of it far better, but I’m intrigued to know how our weaknesses are being addressed.
HOE, we seem to be in agreement regarding the defence issues, and its the primary priority to get it fixed, in my thinking. Interesting that more tries have been scored against our right side, where Fergo sits, he missed a couple of bad attempts during the year, as for his attack, it sort of makes up for it, but there were tries on both sides of the field that were poor IMHO.
With a new skills and trainers my hope is that they have their eye’s on that area, and would be surprised if they don’t, I have said here and other area’s that I am not sold on the person we signed mid point last year as defensive coach at all. I hope to be proved wrong next season though.
Colin, apart from that finals performance, the defence improved at the business end of the comp. We just need the players to be willing to win tough every week. Sometimes it might open up like the Broncos game, but other times it might be won in the 79th minute. The 1 point win can say more about a team than a 40 point thrashing.
Sixties, I agree with the thrust of what you are saying, though its sort of a two way street at times, a team may be ahead by twenty, but win by one, that is not a good look, but is a win by one point after trailing by twenty an ideal? I will always take the win, either good, bad or ugly ones, but is there any real consistency in winning that way?
We do have experienced enough players that should know how to shut gown a game of their own and also the opponents, I am of the belief with the two forwards signing, they will bring more to the side than those we lost, & not just in defence either, include Oregon and Stone on the bench will also add starch to the wash.
What you say in reply to HOE regarding what goes on between the ears is very much where a game is won or lost and is spot on. The game today is much more than the old bash and barge, as those two elements are keys, there is more the need for players to be much more than just capable of those two areas in a players game play, they basically need to be high class poker players, not showing anything in their exterior demeanour, rather storing up in their minds how the opposition is playing their hands and how to counter them, sometimes a bluff will work while other times a well planned move will cut the opponents out.
That’s it mate, have the opposition believe you’re about to do something that you won’t do, as much as communicating to your team mates what you will do.
HOE, thanks for the detailed reply. My apologies for just getting onto it – it’s been a busy couple of days! I won’t go into the details of how, but you are correct in assuming that the mental aspect is addressed. I’ve observed a lot of time spent on defensive structures, decision making, communication, and relentless defending. They also bring in a specialist contact coach to work on technique.
Like you, I see a chunk of the issue as a mental one. Making that effort on effort when you are spent. Chasing back even if it looks a lost cause. Finding your voice to urge your team mates. I have no doubt that we have a roster that can potentially challenge the top teams, but we need that next step to be taken between the ears.