The plan: the most demanding session thus far this preseason.
The method: based on a no excuses philosophy
The outcome: goals met
With warm ups complete, word filtered through to us that this could be a big session for the players. What unfolded proved to be exactly that, but the squad responded superbly in both their conditioning work and their footy.
Firstly a word on the “newcomers”. This was day two for Junior and Browny. I hadn’t attended day one on Thursday, but I assume that their 1.2km fitness test was completed then.
These two Origin fellas look superb. Though their conditioning was modified (they didn’t join in every run), it was obvious that they’ve benefitted from the programs they’ve followed during their break. Junior’s well-publicised boxing regime has him in arguably his best shape to start a preseason.
The running component today offered no surprises. Gutho front-loads the start of his runs and his capacity to maintain a relatively high pace for a longer period grinds any challengers into the ground. Nonetheless, the likes of Jake Arthur and Jordan Rankin bust a gut trying to reel him in, with Dylan Brown, Haze Dunster and Will Smith not far off. Bryce Cartwright continues to set high standards amongst the forwards and Nathan Brown was equally impressive in his efforts today.
Gutherson drove the squad relentlessly during this conditioning. As they prepared to transition into the first of the games, he reminded the players of what they needed to focus on. Assistant coach Steve Murphy had explained the game and the transition after the warm ups, and the Eels captain didn’t want the coaches to have any reason to give the group a spray.
I’ve previously mentioned the game of partner touch footy (I’m not sure what name Murf gives it yet) but it’s fascinating to watch. Players are assigned a partner in the opposition team. It appears that they can only be tagged by that person, so the action is non stop with players trying to find space away from the partner when their team is in possession. Passes can be thrown in any direction.
Two of the fittest blokes, the King and Rankin, were paired up. The movement and tactics in their contest probably distracted me too much from where the ball was in play. So much is constantly going on with the individual match-ups away from the ball in this game!
But the “real footy” is critical to these sessions as we get closer to the season proper.
The seriousness of the 13 on 13 opposed work was emphasised when BA addressed the group. He set his expectations, he demanded that players know their roles and responsibilities. No excuses.
Today’s rules would reward some targets. For example, a team might earn a repeat set by getting to their kick. If he was looking for good discipline it appeared to work.
This was quality opposed footy.
I could rattle off the names of virtually all of the players and find a reason to offer praise. And as the “game” unfolded, the impacts seemed to increase. The defence was strong, as it was on Wednesday, but this time the attack had its moments to shine.
When the tries came, they were earned. Joey Lussick scored first as clever passing around the ruck close to the line opened space for him to dart through and cross the stripe. That’s not to say that Lussick was the only dummy half to shine. Both Mahoney and Roache were also sharp in the role.
Haze Dunster then stole the show with an impressive double. The combinations inside him created the opportunities, but there was still plenty for him to do to get the ball down.
Facing desperate cover defence, the young winger accelerated and stepped to beat the first tackle then had the strength to ground the ball over the line with multiple defenders on him. Both tries were literally carbon copies.
Dunster backed this up by preventing what appeared to be a certain try off a kick. With his opposite claiming the catch and in the process of grounding the ball, some last moment contact from Haze was enough to dislodge the ball.
The final observation should not come as a surprise. Regular readers of these reports would notice the correlation between the most impressive sessions and a high level of talk between the players.
Today, that talk was very good. The players weren’t just relying on a couple of leaders to provide it. Voices were loud and echoing around the Kellyville complex.
What a positive way to end the week.
Eels forever!
Sixties
How I would love to be at one of these sessions, at least!
More than happy to see that Haze has been showing his skills and abilities in both attack and defence.
The eels webb site in the teams section has us with 4 wingers, wondering even though its very early days how they would be rated in the 1-4 box, in both attack/speed and their defensive reads.
Good question Colin. But I will sat that Haze had a good preseason going into 2020, and this preseason is a step up on that.
Nice blog
Thanks Mickey.
I’ve always appreciated reading your pre season training blogs, it gives tremendous insight into what we can’t see. I’d really like to hear more about the up and coming players coming through and their athletic abilities.
Maybe you have already as I’m getting back onto the Cumberland throw recently.
Are there many young players that you guys think may press in the coming season or two ?
Cheers Sixties
Ps take care putting out those sulo
bins.
Ha! I try not to think about the “bin incident”. It takes a special talent to break your leg in three places putting out the bin!
I’ve been deliberately holding back on reporting on the pathways fellas at training this year. What I will confirm is that they’ve brought tremendous energy to the squad. Many are straight out of school, so it could be 18 months or more before they get near debuting.
That said, with a bit more of the preseason behind them, we’ll look to providing more details soon.
You have special talent mate but like i told you don’t take the bin out. Mate your reports are getting better all the time how i don’t know but they do ,a few of my mates always comment they think you work for a newspaper,i tell them no these boys tell the truth. Keep up the good work mate. Oh and all the best for the new year, your mate Joe
Cheers mate, “tell the truth” – classic. We’re just like you and the thousands of other Eels fans – tragic about the blue and gold. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.
We used to play that same opposite partner game at training when I played 5/6 years ago now.might of been when Rocky Laurie and Mark Bugden were coaching so could be an old one. Makes you have to really look up to see where he’s at as well as the defender needing to be switched on.
Would love to see Dunster get a good run,it’s been awhile since we developed a decent winger,probably Sio?or hate to think we had him and lost him,Semi.
Haze has always been a talent coming through pathways, but he seems to have found a new level in the last 12 months. He deserves his shot.
How’s Hughes and Hollis looking along with Kafusi. I have not heard their names mentioned much of late.
I’ve given Oregon a couple of mentions and Hughes got plenty of coverage last year. Hughes came along in leaps and bounds by being in the bubble during 2020. Hollis was finishing an apprenticeship I believe and so never entered the bubble. So to be fair I should give Dave Hollis a mention as he’s tracking well. He’s got good pace when they do sprint work – surprising pace. He’s up in the pack with fitness work, which is terrific for a prop. And when I mention the contests in the middle he’s right in thick of it. The big question will be whether he starts in Flegg or Canterbury Cup. Given he’s missed a bit of footy last year, I think it will be Flegg for him (and Hughes).
Thanks. I will enjoy watching these two develop
Cheers Gary
Love the read. Thinking of popping down to watch a session myself in the coming week. What time do the sessions usually kick off and how long do they last?
Can I email you?
Sure thing, details should be in now.
Enjoying the reads, Sixties. Really appreciate what you provide for fans!
Interested what you’re current starting side would be based on what you’ve seen firsthand thus far?
Would you have spots/bench for Cartwright, Papalii, Hipgrave, Opacic, Roache, Lussick etc.
I like the extra options, shape and aggression these guys will provide us over and above 2020. When we began to flatline, I believe rotating with some of these players would’ve given the team the lift required and pushed the established players harder to keep spots. There’ll be no room for complacency, particularly in the forwards this year. Our depth is fantastic! I rate it best in the NRL.
cheers Daneel. So I’ll make this selection only on the basis of the preseason training track, not who I think will be picked. Also let’s make it a round 1 selection, considering only who’s currently eligible and with Marata not available due to suspension:
Gutho, Dunster, Opacic, Blake, Sivo, Brown, Moses, Paulo, Mahoney, RCG, Lane, Matto, Brown. Bench – Smith, Papali’i, Cartwright, Kaufusi.
Of course, this would be different were Marata and Roache eligible. I’ve given Smith the 14 based on his outstanding preseason.
Hi Sixities,
I’m loving the quality of these updates. I’ve been a regular reader of the TCT but this is the first time I’ve commented. My tip for round 1 team is:
Thanks for following and now replying. A couple of interesting thoughts from your selections. Dunster deserves a shot and has played some centre during pathways, but not too much at all over the last few years. I reckon he gets a wing position or nothing. I reckon your selections on the bench highlight the choices now available.
Either Dunster or Opacic in my opinion for the centre spot. Even Fergo to centre Dunster to the wing. I don’t think waqa is a right centre and I think he’ll do better on the left. I remotely remember him playing on the left for penrith and doing well there. The bench highlights what we need in our squad and I am intrigued what Lussick can do in the NRL. I think we need mobile forwards with these new rules and these forwards fit the bill. When Nikoure is back either hipgrave or kaufusi out.
Just to counter on Blake and his effectiveness on the left for Penrith, I note that Blake had his best game ever at right center and it was against Penrith. But I think he is vulnerable as a player just in general, not doubting his athleticism. A zen like concentration will do him good.
Last year I started to believe that he might be better suited as a winger, but we are a bit light on centres now.
sixties, would it be unfair to say we are one centre short of having a good 3 & 4 pairing?
If MJ is ok to play again then that issue is largely removed, however it still leaves us somewhat weak, in saying that I really wonder about how Fergo, and perhaps Sivo will be this year, moreso with Fergo, as last year he was not that great and his end of year injury did not help at all either.
If MJ does not pass his B sample the problem increases a bit, and raises the question of do we have someone in the lower grades to take his place, or is there any facts on the talk of Burns being signed?
Centres have changed somewhat over the years and with the likes of Staggs who is top quality and not that big, 92kg’s is not much more than Dunster who has played centre in earlier years, & while Opacic puts some bulk into the centres, I wonder with Waqa, who I believe could be better on the wing, and trial Haze in the centre position.
I doubt that Fergo will see the year out, I probably am wrong but my gut rumbles in that aspect.
I believe we need to recruit a couple of outside backs, at least for the short term.
its interesting that your thoughts on Waqa and Fergo have been posted just before today’s training report – given who featured as stars!
Yes it probably crossed tummies
Mind to and keeps him up at night. He is like a colt but needs breaking in.
Nice. Thanks Sixties. Id hate to be BA picking the first side. It’s good having battles for places.
Indeed mate
Why isn’t Roache eligible 60’s, I know he is on a development contract but he can be added to the 30 at anytime, I understand?
That’s right, he can be made eligible via elevation, but until he’s been elevated into the top squad from his current Dev contract, they can’t select him – not while they have other top 30 players who can play dummy half.
So, they have spots vacant now. When would they elevate him? Answer – when they have to.
Whilst he remains on his current deal, it saves coin.