Sometimes a training session doesn’t go as planned.
The ball goes down a bit too much, passes don’t find the mark, and the team just doesn’t seem to be on the same page.
If it was possible, I’d insert vision of today’s field work for use as an exemplar. It really didn’t quite click for the Eels this morning, and everything seemed to be just that much harder to execute in the final opposed session of the week.
But it’s not all bad news. They say the best learning comes from errors. Therefore, BA and his staff would have seen plenty to take away from today. More on that later.
Conditions were challenging as the sound of thunder became the prelude for the heavens opening up. Even our covered viewing area provided restricted shelter to the sweeping downpour. Still, rugby league is an outdoor winter sport, so that could hardly be used as an excuse for the less than acceptable football on display.
Then there’s the little matter of the Gold form today. It was a deserved three tries to two result and a focussed performance.
Fatigue was produced by alternating tackle and running drills, and the interspersing of four tackle touch footy during the opposed work. There was little time to rest. In fact, probably the only respite came when the play was stopped for a few choice words from BA. I couldn’t hear what was said, but I can make a fair guess.
Here’s how I saw the session:
The Good
Don’t be too alarmed by the criticisms that I’ve levelled at the team. There were positives to be found across the two hours, including:
* A clean break by Rhys Davies to set up the first try to the Golds. It was way too easy but credit to Davies for taking advantage of the opportunity. The 2019 Wenty half continues to push his claims for a contract upgrade and a potential bench spot.
* An 80 metre intercept try to Ethan Parry. A Blues shift to the left saw a pass not find its mark and Parry showed a clean pair of heels to streak away untouched.
Ryan Matterson
* A try to Fergo on the back of impressive work by Moses on the right.
* An incisive run from Matto from around his own quarter that saw him surge 30 metres downfield.
* Sivo putting the finishing touches to a heads up play by Dylan Brown. The Gold winger had come infield to effect an essential tackle but was then stuck at marker, leaving that side of the field down a defender. Dylan didn’t need a second invitation to direct the following play down that side, and simple numbers advantage, combined with crisp passing, opened a passage for the big Fijian to score.
* Strong carries by the Blue’s back five in returning kicks. On his first carry of the session, it took four defenders to bring Sivo down.
* A more focussed back half of the opposed session, and the associated improved talk.
The Awful
There was no shortage of moments that the coaches could look at in their review, but for mine the following summed up the substandard aspects:
* Far too many pushed plays put the Blues under pressure. The composure from a couple of players should have been much better.
Rhys Davies
* The Gold’s final try – there was too much space afforded to them.
* The Blue kickers couldn’t quite find the mark, with a number of kicks finding the dead ball line and gifting 20 metre re-starts.
A Quick Analysis
There’s actually a positive to be found in a session that doesn’t measure up.
From a preseason perspective it provides future coaching moments in addition to a reality check about where the team is at.
From the start of play today, it was obvious that some of the Blues didn’t have their head in the game. The talk wasn’t quite right, the timing was off, and the execution was poor. As mentioned earlier, a break in play saw the squad brought together for a few choice words. The footy definitely improved from there, but it remained below what the coaches would have desired.
The Apprentice Camp
This week’s apprentices
The Eels website currently has media coverage of last week’s football apprentice camp. During their time together, the young players from Queensland, the Northern Territory, New Zealand and country NSW are provided with a variety of the experiences that NRL players might encounter in a typical week. As the lads learn a bit more about what’s required in professional football, the club also learns a bit more about what makes them tick.
This week saw another group of “apprentices” come into camp. This group was from New Zealand and Queensland and comprised players whose football schedule clashed with last week’s camp. I had the opportunity to meet the group as they watched this morning’s session with Eels recruitment manager, Anthony Field. Time with BA and Dylan Brown was slotted in for them after training finished.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Thanks for the report sixties. While it was not the exciting type that we are used to, this report really has more in it than the other ones that seemed to be just too positive without the aspect of reality. Reality that is two sided, and when its all good and exciting easy to lose sight of the fact that it can also bring into play the aspect of over confidence.
Better to see some negatives when training rather than when points are crucial with the main game.
Colin, sessions are never perfect, but for the most part they are overwhelmingly positive. I simply report what I see. Today wasn’t one of the better ones. It’s that simple.
Hey Sixties and Eels tragics,
Long time no comment from me. Thanks again for the preseason wraps and keeping us all informed. Apologies in advance for the long comment but I have a few points/questions to discuss;
* Night footy. Over the years the Eels have played their best expansive footy during dry day games. We have often been let down in night conditions as its dewy and less conducive for Eels footy. This was shown clearly from our Broncos final to Storm final last year. How often to we train at night? Do other clubs do this. I’m also sure Joey will help us with different condition game plans throughout the season.
* Waqa Blake. I have heard differing reports on his return date. Round 1 to round 8. Any news from the trainers? Is he doing full contact?
* Back up hooker. I know we have Scnieder chomping at the bit to support Mahoney but I have some questions if Mahoney goes down in the 10th minute given the likely bench make up. We will most likely be Taka, Nikore, Evans, Alvaro/Kafusi. BA used Gutho in short spurts to give Reed a break last year but clearly this is not a solution. Have you seen any contingency plans at training? I like the idea of Nathan Brown slotting in there if need be. Body shape, skill, defence and is used to playing in the middle. we have plenty of middles on the bench if needed.
* Premiership window/ resigning’s. Much discussion that we are entering a trophy window. With our strength on paper, depth and team unity I strongly agree. Other teams have weakened and my feeling is that 2020 will be the year most likely. I have concerns around following years. Nathan Brown, Shaun Lane and Reed Mahoney are all off contract next year, are key cogs in our team chemistry and to lose any of the 3 would be a dent in our team balance. All are deserving of significant upgrades and given our recent resigning splurge not sure we can fit all of them on the books. Lets assume Reed is the first priority due to his position. We may be only able to keep one of the two forwards. The Tigers and Rabbits have war chests ready to use and are short on back rowers. I fear we may not be able to match those offers. Therefore I have nervous high hopes for this year while we know the whole group is together. Thoughts/insights ?
Big season ahead. Go Parra!!!!
Metal Stud
Your point about Parra playing some of there best running footy on a warm sunny day is a good one and was also applicable in our early 80s salad days. So I agree perhaps we should be doing some game simulation style training at night. As long as it doesnt detract from our day form, lol.
ps i always thought we played some of our most exciting early to mid 80s footy in that gold jersey we wore on alternate games.
oh im matt sweeney btw,
Matt, as per my earlier comment, during the season in 2019 we trained at night where it fitted our draw.
Thanks Sixties , I try to read as much as possible time permitting.
Glad to hear we have done some night training. I can’t help but feel this could be our year. I hope matto
Can share as much as possible about his experience at the roosters
Because they have been the template for success in the last two years.
I’ve reported that he’s already demonstrated moments of leadership. It would be interesting to know whether that is also on show during team meetings.
1. Night footy – we trained at night during the season last year – damn it was cold!
2. I can’t comment on the when. He is still in rehab.
3. Ray Stone is an option. Rhys Davies would need an upgrade. Schneider is likely to start in Flegg.
4. I agree regarding concerns over players re-signing. I’m sure the players want to stay. Hopefully they get their managers on the same page.
Re 4 sixties: the standard playbook must have a paragraph, maybe a chapter, headed ‘The Left Jab: Using the Media’
Tks sixties. Is Waqa Blake the only Top 30 player not in full training?
Yes.However, players come in and out of “rehab” all the time. It might be for a day or two, it might be for a week or more. When there’s such physicality in the game, even training, it’s to be expected.
Well Sixties that;s a refreshing tale of the tape after the disappointment of Wednesday’s no training. I drove away from Kellyville with the contentment of knowing “If they went early? it was for good reason! So off back to work I went, glad to have work to go back to”.
Your reports more often than not give insights into elements of the sessions that I either missed when I’d been there? or was oblivious to it’s subliminal life when absent until exposed by you such as these Parra apprentice camps. Keeping us abreast of these pathways gives fans an in-depth awareness of the “real structures and systems” put in place by our coaching staff under BA. Otherwise how could we possibly imagine the advent of Dylan Brown. Seeing these groups of young men from all over the country and NZ who have been identified and encouraged to enter our system with a serious opportunity to become the best they could possibly become and see guys like Dylbags there actually having done that must be ginormous for them!
Here is just another element of what BA has developed to put us in the position we are in today. Which I believe has our top 35 players vying for a First grade squad member in a team that does have potential to be NRL title contenders. Go Parra!
Cheers Rowdy. Yes, Wednesday jumped earlier than anticipated so thankfully we have the images from Eels media. When Dylan Brown was identified, he had not long been playing rugby league. But when he spent time in Australia in camp, Fieldsy didn’t hesitate in getting him signed up. There’s already been an identification process involved in getting the kids into the Eels system from far and wide, but the camp is a tremendous experience for the young blokes and the Eels. The images on Eels media shows their time training, time with the coaches and players, time visiting Westmead hospital. They are on a learning path that’s going to benefit them as people. And along the way, the learns something more about these young men. The group i met yesterday were fine ambassadors for the Eels system.
Great to hear about the apprentice camps taking place over the last 2 weeks. Anthony Field and his staff do a bloody fantastic job!
Speaking of juniors does anyone know how the junior rep sides went in their trials against Penrith?
Losses for Matt’s and AJ Cup teams on Thursday night. Not unexpected given that it was the first trial as the two previous trials had last minute cancellations. The teams will be better for the runs.
Thanks Sixties!! Yes the teams have had awful luck with the previous trials hopefully it doesn’t impact the opening rounds too much, a trip to Canberra first up will be tough.
Very keen to see how the external recruits in sg ball go – have heard good things about Brazel and Sa’u.
Ball beat Penrith comfortably,dominated up front with Jontay, Jay Vakai and Pater Taatao prominent, also good display from the halfback from Dalby, Josh Chappell.
Saw Matts on Thursday night, Eels never really in the game, got beat 4 tries to 1 and that flattered them. That’s an honest opinion on the night, but they will be the sort of team that will benefit from playing games,so the start of the competiton will help them.
Cheers Derek. Good on you for making the trip up there. I remember meeting Josh Chappell about two years ago when he was down for the apprentice camp. Played well in a Matt’s trial back then. Good to see the forwards got the job done.
Cheers for recap BD! ball seem to have a very big and aggressive forward pack this year which should see them challenging again this year. Has Ethan Parry’s younger brother started with the Matts team yet?
Yes, Cody played on the right, Will be good for the run , didn’t get much opportunity to run the ball . Issue will be for the forwards to control the ruck , backs weren’t given much space.
Parry will definitely be better for the run. Played on the right but he’s a 15 year old left centre.
Think I probably was over critical of Cody Parry, apparently he has only had 3 weeks training with the boys and 2 of those were in rehab. He was played specifically to give him a run and out of position. Fieldsy doesn’t bring players into the club who underperform , so confident he will more than improve.
Hard to look good in agame like that I think, so my report was more in disappointment of team display, and they were playing their only trial. Particularly wanted the Eels to win so I doubt my view was clouded.
Hey Sixties ,
Mate agree with you again. We dropped ball last night, we missed tackles, we lost opportunities. But we did it on the training field, no points lost, no media beat up, no outside noise. I am hoping for the mental toughness to really go up a level this year. IMO, the teams across the NRL are all reasonably close but what is setting the great teams from the bottom teams is the ability to handle ADVERSITY and PRESSURE.
You know a dropped ball could lead to potentially 1-18 tackles depending on your opposition. You drop that ball cheap against the big 4 Roosters-Storm – Raiders – Souths – you could be required to defend for 3 sets. They will patiently wait for fatigue and a brain snap to get you. Only way to defend against that is with a lift in defence intensity straight after that mistake. INTENT must be there.
I loathe , the old hand raised by the player when he drops the ball. And then you watch a try scored against you in that very next set. Yes he acknowledges the mistake to his mates, but is this just a token. Good teams switch straight on and do the high fives after the stopped the next set or got the ball back. Mental toughness in football comes from FULL confidence in the defence and knowing you have the system and toughness to make up for that mistake.
Rounds 1-4 will show if that mental toughness transition as started. If we leak a six pointer straight after every mistake in our end – we are back where we started. Own the moment. Life is not a dress rehearsal. This is their job, they get paid great coin to do it.
Strong comments Paul and highly relevant. That mental toughness and resilience sets the winning teams apart from the others.
From a training perspective, you can’t expect perfection and you don’t mind a rough session. It gives something to work on – coachable moments. It was also good to have the Gold team on song yesterday. It makes the opposed work harder for the Blues.
Sorry mate – too much cold chisel last night and few beers gone to my head, LOL
Is there such a thing as too much Cold Chisel?
Nope……
Any coach who leaves training totally happy is bound to be totally disappointed in the very near future .
Well said
60s…If Mahoney is unavailable who would be the back up hooker.
I am sure W.Smith, Stone or Salmon can play 15mins a game for a spell to young Rheed but if he was out for 3 weeks I feel we need a specialist back up. Who is your tip?
In my post on the roster spots, I said that internal upgrades were most likely. Therefore I believe that Davies could earn an upgrade. He’s done enough during the preseason. They know him. He knows the plays. Any late signature of a back up dummy half would cost too much or would get someone no better than Rhys who has to learn the plays and the players’ idiosyncrasies.
I didn’t realise he was a hooker or can play there.
Played there quiet a bit 2 years ago for Wenty. Fast out of dummy half, good pass and outstanding defence in the middle from what I seen in that season. I know he played in the halves all year in cup last year but got the sense he was more suited to the hooking roll
Have you seen him play hooker sixties.
Not really a player who is equiped with the hooker role and skill to play there full time.
As a relief #14 he would do a job.
I think you under estimate the integeral role a hooker plays on the field and this is not something that is learnt playing hooker at training occasionally
Rhys is a #7 and a possible back up for the utility spot.
To say he is a #9 and could be full time, i personally think is out of reach, he doesn’t have the nessaccary skill to play hooker.
His service is pretty ordinary and doesn’t pass from the ground.
Maybe you see something I don’t.
Who knows what the coaching staff will do with a back up hooker. They have plenty of options but not real long term options except for a young kid the others are only cover or relief for Reed
Have you seen him play hooker, from what I’ve seen he’s actually better there and has an awesome off the deck pass. Defensively I would argue he is much stronger than reed
He is a very good defender Eelman.
Blake, I’m not sure if you’ve interpreted my comments as I meant them. I’m tipping Davies to be upgraded to the top 30 as cover for Reed or as a possible 14. I’ve simply said that I see that as the most likely outcome rather than recruiting a bench standard or lower grade dummy half from elsewhere. I’m making no predictions about him as a full time dummy half. I never underestimate the importance of that position. They handle the ball more than any other player!!!
Yes I’ve seen him play dummy half at Canterbury Cup. I’d give him a pass mark. But he’s definitely needed this preseason to train as a dummy half. His service looks good, his defence is a strength and his fitness is outstanding. But, I wouldn’t have him as my 14 to start the season. I reckon he needs more game time at dummy half in reggies.
Hi Sixties, it has been a v long weekend so i did not have a chance to really respond till now. Unfortunately i go back to work this week…..
The competition for spots for me is the key, and this can only drive the players in the fringe groups as well as those new to the squad.
I am really happy the club has added Stefano Utoik to the top 30, and hope we can see him in the top 17 at some point, as i think we need to continually add some youngsters (as long as they deserve) to the 17 for future use. Lets hope he can add something and maybe have a think about his future…
I am really keen for the club to improve the defence systems (including feeder teams) as while we improved last year, when tested at times we were not up to it. This for me is the challenge as well as playing for the 80 mins like the top few teams consistently do. By challenge i also mean a challenge for the coaching staff, as our attack at times is superb and playing out sets ( as Joey did for Knights) is like a game of chess and we need to be patient as BA often said in 2019.
Hope you had a great holiday Milo, esp with the Tasmania trip.
With defence being a measure of attitude, it will probably be the best barometer for Parra’s chances in 2020.
As far as middle forwards are concerned, I reckon that Oregon is next cab off the rank for a spot, followed by Stefano. A tough NRL season will present those chances.