Compiling these training reports over an entire preseason has its challenging days. It is, after all, a long period of time to cover a similar activity – getting fit and preparing for a football season.
And there’s a philosophy to adhere to – inform supporters but don’t inform the opposition. It’s for that reason that the training reports don’t extend into the season proper. Most of any team’s work becomes preparation for the next match and a specific opponent.
Therefore, during each preseason session I look for something different to include in my reports. It might be exceptional efforts in conditioning work, big moments in their opposed component, and if I’ve focussed too much on particular players, I endeavour to switch my focus.
Some field sessions are far easier to report on than others – case in point, when Fergo turned on the fire earlier this week. Those mornings literally write themselves. Today was one such day.
From the first vision of the complex, it was apparent that something different was afoot. Poles and other field markers covered both fields in unexpected arrays. Was this going to be a huge morning of conditioning? Given the recent footy focus, that would be an odd decision.
Action stations!
After the players moved through their warm ups, the associated markers on the main field were quickly collected, and the players transitioned to the second field. It was apparent that Elkin had set up three stations, and soon the squad were taken through their paces at each one.
The sequence of the morning was about to be established – rotating footy specific fitness stations would provide the fatigue factor between each period of 13 on 13 opposed. There’s always the goal of putting the players into that fatigued condition before they play some footy. After all, within five to ten minutes of an NRL game, that’s exactly what they experience. The teams with the greatest number of footballers who can execute under fatigue are the sides that are most likely to feature when the finals whips are cracking.
One thing that I’ve discovered from watching Trent Elkin, is that he looks for ways to make the players think as they run. Today’s stations would require just that.
But enough of the conditioning. Here comes the fun part – a quick summation of the footy highlights. I could have included more, but sometimes you just have to stop taking notes and enjoy watching the skills on show.
* An early try to Haze Dunster for the Red team after an overlap was created by his inside men
* A quick reply by Bryce Cartwright for the Blues after RCG delivered a clever pass close to the line
* The big defensive play from Haze soon after, preventing what seemed to be a certain try in the corner by Michael Oldfield
* A lethal bomb from Mitch Moses resulting in a Red team try to the chasing Will Penisini.
* Power personified from Papali’i (say that quickly) as he surges across the line for a short range try for the Blue team
* Oregon Kaufusi matches Papa and bullies his way over the line to register consecutive Blue trIes
* Big defensive collisions from Dave Hollis reminding his opponents of his size
* An impressive solo try from Mitch Moses as he burns the turf to bring the Reds back into the contest in an amazing display of pace
* Jake Arthur chops down a charging Marata Niukore in a front-on tackle five metres out from the line to prevent another Red try (check out Forty20’s profile of Jake Arthur)
* Moses provides a gloriously deceptive attacking kick close to the line which looks likely to deliver a result until it is superbly defused by Cartwright
The game unfolds
* Charbel Tasipale, playing out of position at centre, makes a number of good defensive reads to keep the Reds out. Backs this up with strong carries
* Arthur shifts play to the left and Opacic (or possibly Stone – it was the other end of the field) positions Oldfield who out sprints the defence for a try in the corner
* A final big play from Papali’i to charge down a Red kick then hustle to win possession
There were a couple of absentees sitting out the contact field session, which is not unusual as the staff manage individual training loads.
One such player was Gutho, not that he could keep himself away from the action. The Eels Captain was bellowing praise, instructions and encouragement to the squad as he paced around behind the play.
And like Monday, BA and the staff were fired up. Players were chastised for the slightest undisciplined footy – especially something that could result in a penalty. Individuals received praise or lectures on the run as they were reminded of their roles.
What have I missed? Possibly plenty, but with everything listed above, you get the gist.
It was a good sesh.
Bring on Friday.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Appears that the NRL season is not far off, its likely to be thick and fast this year, and TCT seems to be well covering the offering, think you will sleep as well as the younger players sixties.
Not wrong Colin.
Quick question guys. Not hearing much about Reed? Unusual given his prior pre season form
Hi guys I have a similar question. I was hoping he would grow his creativity around the ruck this year and provide more space for the halves. He seemed a bit tired in attack last year with a huge defensive workload. Having a Roache or Lussick on the bench to give him a 25 min rest might help enable this and provide the team more spark from dummy half for the whole 80.
He is one of the spine players that works with Joey Johns. If I signalled too much about the spine work, and how it translates to opposed sessions, I’d be doing our Eels a disservice.
Let me also say that I would include an established dummy half on the bench, and both new recruits have a point of difference to Reed.
He’s pretty much meeting his usual standards. He puts himself up close to the leaders in conditioning and is just a very hard worker in his skills practice. I know I’ve referred to him in a couple of reports but it’s tough to cover everyone frequently.
hi Sixties, I really think Papalili will be a mainstay in the top 17. I think his mobility will suit the faster rules. Is it fair to say that he has impressed most out of the new recruits and have the other newbies surprised??
Think its fair to say our bench has been our Achilles heel for a long while , (actually thats been more of. our problem in semi final losses than any other factor ) our biggest problem 2021 will be who we leave of , our reggies are going to be awesome given the the overflow plus the talent pool of juniors and theyre predominantly backs ,fortunately the protection will be there to help them adjust to the step up , and more importantly it will be under the EELS brand again , OUR players OUR team !!!!!!!
Well noted about the Reggies Higgsy. And I reckon BA will have some bench selection headaches – the good kind.
He is right up there as one of the best of the preseason, new or established in my opinion.
Hi sixties can see Dave Hollis looks around same height shaun lane do you think he will be heavier build or more like Kane Evans, cheers
Dave would be about an inch or so shorter than Lane, but a different build. Potentially a bit bigger in the upper body, but I haven’t really tried to make that comparison before. Kane Evans had comparatively thin calves, nether Lane nor Hollis are built like him.
Interested in your comment of Mitch Moses showing blistering pace again Sixties. Obviously over his “calf” problems.
Its a key part of his game and our armoury, is there actually much done with sprint training? Sivo is not overly fast but if he has changed his body structure to being more lithe I suspect he maybe a lot quicker……also how quick is Oldfield in comparison to say Dunster and I have always believed Fergs is quicker than them all when he lets himself go!
True pace was something lacking last year with Moses injury and the (then) dysfunctional wingers……do we have any young speed machines coming through we can look forward too a few years down the track?
hi pops. I like your comments about moses, he is pretty quick imo. Also I also like some of those pics you post ……
Hi Mikey CH, those pics go over well in some places, I don’t think TCT would be that keen on them not withstanding. I am starting to get very confident with this season coming up, 60’s is more optimistic than ever and I have the same sneaky feeling about Fergs as he has.
hi pops, can you advise on how you were able to have an avatar, I’ve tried everything to no avail. 😄😄😄
Mikey, I have no idea how I ended up with an Avatar at all….Lol…..sometimes I forget to put my email address and end up posting Anon, which I don’t like doing in principle. My feeling is we need to respect TCT enough to at least partially identify ourselves.
Fair enough ploppa. hope you’re well. you know who it is I think 😄😄
I’m tipping top 4 again Poppa, but who knows how any season will unfold – case in point 2020.
Poppa, I don’t go into as much detail at this stage of the preseason about the warm ups, running mechanics and sprint work that I covered in the early part of the preseason. But yes, it’s part of their work. I haven’t watched match races – they don’t do that, but I’d rate Oldfield as faster than Dunster. Fergy is just an incredibly powerful runner.
Pure speedsters coming through? I don’t know that I’d classify any as pure speed machines, but it’s not like they don’t possess good pace.
I would have thought that Waqa Blake would be right up there on pure speed.
He would be. Looks like a trained sprinter when they do sprints at training
I specifically hope that Reed is doing some sprint training, it is his only weak point in going ahead in the game i.e. speed from the ruck. he only needs it for 5 metres to put himself into a hole. Presently he is allowing the defence to spread because he is not a threat from the ruck. I believe Roache will make a difference and actually pressure him at some stage of the season.
Its also an interesting situation with Waqa who looks quick but I noticed last year he was either caught or failed to catch a player….now it might have been that last year Waqa just wasn’t balanced correctly. I know he had that shoulder injury which may have effected his running style. A full pre season and injury free may also reveal a new Waqa…..another reason to be excited.
I also noticed last year a propensity for Parra players to miss or not complete one on one tackles, did anyone else notice that?
Poppa, I’m tipping a development in Reed’s game, but I’m a big fan of what Roache could bring, especially after watching him at training. Defence? I think that some individuals were guilty of big hits without the stick. Hit and stick!!!
Great report. It’s great to get your insights into the team for 2021.👍👍
You’re welcome Pete.
Interesting to hear an update on so many of fringe players. Different team going into this year; established 1st graders being pushed by & maybe surpassed by hungry fringe players with the the next gen in the mix – healthy competition and backup.
Looking forward to 2021!!
Cheers DDay. It is a good group. It will be interesting to watch the lower grades with some of these young players this year.
I have been reading your website for a few years now, and finally decided to join the conversation. I really look forward to reading each update. I love getting your perspective on how our players are training, without giving too much away. I am really starting to get very excited for the new season, but as a diehard Parra fan from way back , that’s pretty much the norm for me.
Lynbeth, thanks for joining the replies and conversation. We do live for the start of New Years don’t we! But imagine not having that. Some say we live in false hope, but shouldn’t we all get revved up about what lies ahead in footy. It’s what being a supporter is all about.
anyone know any signs