Mitch Moses take a bow.
On his first official day at Eels preseason training, the Eels half set the leadership standards required of a senior player.
In total, eight more players joined the Eels squad this morning. Moses, Waqa Blake, Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson, Daniel Alvaro, Will Smith, Jordan Rankin and new recruit Michael Oldfield fronted for their first session of the new season and all looked to be in great shape.
But it was Mitch Moses who stood the tallest. After registering a terrific result in his 1.2km time trial, (Rankin and Smith also looked the goods) the Eels playmaker was soon barking encouragement and reminders to the entire squad.
Given that Clint Gutherson and his Origin mates aren’t due back till some time in January, BA would have been looking to one of his key spine players to drive the group.
MItch Moses
And when Trent Elkin ran them on the first set of their 140 metre runs (probably completed at about 80% pace) Moses was immediately into his role.
“Don’t touch the poles, stay away from the poles!” this was repeated as he exhorted his team mates to avoid short cutting by running up beside the poles marking out the arc in the run.
“Hold your pace, don’t drop off!” the reminders kept coming as the metres mounted and the players battled fatigue.
This is exactly what coaches want to see from those in the leadership group. When the squad assumes accountability for their own standards, pride in performance is driven from within rather than forced upon them.
Who stood out?
Whilst the returning NRL players were deep into their 1.2km run, those who’ve been there for the previous two weeks worked on running mechanics and 60 metre sprints.
I again noted the explosive power of Maika Sivo. This bloke won’t win you any marathons, but when he’s switched on and fresh, the big Fijian literally flies.
Of the forwards, Dave Hollis and Ray Stone impressed. Dave has a surprising turn of pace when he puts the foot down, and Stone looks like a man on a mission this preseason.
The entire squad completed the ensuing 140m and 120m runs at the same time, competing in groups of about 6-8.
After Jake Arthur threw down the gauntlet to Dylan Brown over longer distances last week, the two halves were pitted against each other in the same group today. As suspected, the young Kiwi responded by edging out his challenger by about a metre in every run. These blokes are unlikely to let up in their quest to be the conditioning standard bearers and Gutho will have a battle royal when he returns.
Big Oggy is probably in the best shape of his young career and he and Papali’i aren’t too far behind Cartwright in the battle for fittest big unit.
Here’s an interesting observation. When the players line up for these runs, there’s a bend or arc in the course. Those who position themselves on the outside of the group are running further than those on the inside.
Bryce Cartwright
In literally every run, Bryce Cartwright, Isaiah Papali’i, Haze Dunster and Ryan Matterson position themselves on that outside edge. This additional effort would not go unnoticed by the staff.
The conditioning work concluded after about an hour. The eight players who returned today were not expected to run as many 140m and 120m sets as the rest of the group. Given they had completed the 1.2km time trial and that this was day 1 for them, it comes back to managing their load, especially early in the preseason.
Footy then took over as the session concluded with the right side pitted against the left side in attacking/defensive drills. The squad was divided in three distinct groups for this, as they rotated between who had time with the ball in hand.
The contact was decent, given that it was not meant to be more than grab tackles. Every so often there’d be the sound of a collision that exceeded the parameters of the drill – not that it was a bad thing!
In this drill, the ball found the halves on most plays, so consequently Moses, Brown and Arthur were able to showcase their repertoire of passes. I didn’t read too much into the positions of players as the likely NRL starters were split between the teams.
All up, this drill probably lasted for around 30 minutes before the coaches took groups of players for their extras. It’s fascinating watching this skills coaching in action, especially when it’s unleashed during a game.
There’s plenty of rain forecast so it looks like a potential drenching on the training fields during this last week before the Christmas/New Year break. There’s not much cover available but I’ll do my best to front up and keep the reports coming.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Glad you were there sixties to cover the new starters. I like hearing about sivos explosiveness.
But for mine it just wasn’t evident this season. I can’t recall him scoring any long range trys. I wonder if he wouldn’t be more effective at a lighter weight.
I agree totally about his 2020 season Matthew. He will need to provide more in 2021, no question.
It was safe to say Sivo was never the same after Hank Scorpio seeming got his leg – but even prior to that, he seemingly only used that explosive acceleration and strength when he was within 10m of the line.
I genuinely hope to see Sivo get back to his 2019 form which saw him blowing blokes off their feet off short balls off Gutho on a kick return.
His long distance efforts of 2019 did disappear in 2020. Maybe it was distractions or a loss of confidence.
I can tell you now.Watch him go next year.he’s in a good head space now.everything that’s was bothering him this year has been cleared.
I have a feeling that you’re coming from a place of knowledge Anon. Let’s just say that a new season is a fresh start.
Good stuff sixties, the way the team seems to be blending and competing with each other is something that augers well for next season.
I am assuming by the comments & photo’s about Sivo that he must have changed some of his training area’s which hopefully may see him pick his game up next year. I think his efforts to bulk up this last season had good ideas and reasoning behind it but I don’t believe it helped him much, if at all. He did however gain better abilities in defence and his ability to take the high ball, which was very much needed but along with his wing opposite partner, did not help his attack which was down.
Cheers Colin. I think that Sivo is critical to what we can achieve – both in back field carries and finishes. The coaches put a lot of time into him last year, trying to help him recover his confidence and form. As I’ve said, he won’t win any marathons, won’t go close. But that’s not what he’s needed for. I’ll be watching his form in opposed sessions closely.
Great read, best one so far! I also love hearing about Sivo hitting top speed because my biggest problem with him is he never seems to sprint in a game. Is Fergo back ? He should be right seeing he didn’t play SOO. Or do the older guys get more rest?
Sivo is always at his best away from longer conditioning. In the sprints, you can see the power. Fergo wasn’t on the field today. I don’t know whether he was there or not or whether he has longer leave. I’ve learnt to never read too much into when individuals return and over the years I’ve thought a player was absent only to see them emerge from the gym as they were on a different program.
Excellent once again Sixties can’t wait to see what Papali’i,Hipgrave ,Cartwright add to this squad.
They all look to be contributing big time. Been getting good feedback about Hipgrave.
Images stay in your mind. An opposition forward suddenly getting folded in half in the Cumberland dust. Ray Higgs getting his nuggety body low and driving. Happened every game more than once, a trademark, worth the ticket alone. Maybe not Cartwright’s go, but the other two have it in their style.
Higgsy! What a tough leader!
Awesome read thanks Sixties, it’s making this pre season more bareable. Even more keener to welcome our origin players back and see where everyone lines up. Love hearing Mitch step up, hopefully he stays injury free this year
Thanks Daz. The grand final clubs won’t get their players back till January, and no clubs get Origin blokes back till well into the new year (9 week break after Origin). Not easy for any club, but that experience of playing on the big stage should be a great bonus that Parra’s players bring back.
Sixties,
What are the chances of young Hollis getting a start? I know stephano got a very short gig last year but I would love to see if Hollis can do a Davey and be a regular??? What are your thoughts?
He’s doing what he can at training. That’s the first step. Andy Davey was a seasoned player unfazed by his debut, he literally said to us at training “it’s just another game of footy, I’ve played plenty of them.”
Sam Hughes is the guideline here. Hughes earned his elevation to the top 30 during the season via his physicality during opposed sessions as there was no lower grades. He would literally carry players during his hit ups. If Parra’s top 4 spot was more secure towards the end of the season I reckon he might have cracked his debut. Dave first has to continue to shine on the training paddock then be a presence in lower grades. He’s already got the top 30 spot so that’s the first step sorted.
great report, enjoy the xmas break !!
Cheers Greg and thanks for your continued support.
Interesting re the contribution of the new recruits, was fortunate to be talking to a player manager on the sideline at Oztag last Friday. Asked about players coming to the Eels when chased by other clubs, he said once they spoke to BA they felt more than comfortable and some of the new players accepted less to sign at Parra than offered elsewhere. Also mentioned they were swayed by improvement seen in Junior, RCG, Nrown and others under BA.
Not sure it will mean much to those who constantly hammer the coach, but is food for thought on his standing and respect among players and others.
BD, good post and if those with the hammer degrees read what was said by the agent, there would be the same number of Na Sayers and putting it out that its what they would expect from an agent who has those players on his books.
They pretty much only want to make negatives out of positives.
Well said Colin.
There are players who choose certain clubs for less money – it’s even acknowledged by the NRL in their explanation of the cap. Players do this for various reasons. However, Derek has provided an anecdote from a player manager to back up what I’ve been told by various sources over many years about players choosing to be coached by BA. Cheers mate
I feel that if we make the top 4 again next year we’ll be one of the destination clubs for off-contract players. 3 top 4 finishes in 5 years and 4 finals series in 5 will be our best record since the mid to late 2000’s. That record along with the trust in BA will see better players want to come to us
The expectation is Top 4. If it’s achieved, then it’s hard to disagree with your prediction.
Well said Anon, but I would have to say. “they would want to be good to make our starting 17” Maybe a world class left centre would get a walk up start?
That can’t be right Big D? From what I hear and read every year until we make 4 is “BA is just a bush coach”! Then they go into their little holes under the ground until we lose a semi’s we should have won. Personally I’ve found the man to be a real leader and a man’s man to boot!
As you know Rowdy, BA tells it how it is. Coaches the same and is a terrific teacher. Also drives player leadership and ownership of standards.
Can’t wait to see Hipgrave and Papali’i on the field, but mainly Hipgrave. Could add that toughness that N. Brown brings.
He’s a tough player and my mail is he’s both a decent and intelligent bloke. Looking the goods at training right now.
Impressed with Hipgrave from when he was at the Titans
Terrific buy in my opinion.
Each new season brings its own excitement for the fans. The way I see it, there is greater depth than previous seasons, with more quality players battling to get into the 17. That is what we need. Along with the youngsters like Hollis etc – who Sixties has kept us up to date about through their junior days – this has put the club in the great position to seriously challenge for the premiership. Not just down the track, but right now.
I honestly see us in the window. I believe that started last year and we had injuries and suspensions at the wrong end of the year.
Sixties, great insight into the individuals in the mix. Seeing them encouraging one another in the unity of a team ethos and at the same time drawing deep from the competitive nature of pro sportsmen in the battle.
I was well pleased with your holding up of Mitch’s leadership over the group, his fitness and accountability to set the standard. There was another glaring difference which I had noticed in his photo. Mitchell Moses has finally accepted that at this level “Muscle Matters”!. Nearly all the gun halves have numerous and diverse skills. But one thing they all have is a physically strong body. MM looks to have put on about 4kg in the upper body. All bodes well for 2021 me thinks.
The one thing that nobody can ever question Moses about is his courage facing up to the bigger blokes. He doesn’t shy away from contact, and has a better tackling efficiency than many other halves.
Agree, and he will be even better this coming season when he can finally hit and stick with the extra kgs comes extra strength.