Let me begin with a massive understatement – I really missed the footy this year.
For many different reasons, COVID and the associated lockdown was a complete bastard for most people. For NSW based rugby league supporters, it took the teams away from our state, and took the games away from our stadiums.
I certainly missed getting to Eels matches, though there was some compensation to be found in watching the broadcasts. But the relocation up north made me realise how watching match preparations had become such a huge part of my own supporter experience.
It provides an insight about team dynamics, energy levels across the group, not to mention likely goals for the match each week.
Thankfully, the start of the preseason has returned me to a sense of normality. I’m back to Eels HQ at Kellyville, the skies are relatively blue, and the challenge of pushing through some conditioning brick walls has commenced for the squad.
A small number of players were back last week, then a grand total of 14 players took to the field on Monday. Apart from a couple of exceptions, this group mostly comprised of young pathways players such as Jayden Yates, Matt Komolafe, Caleb Tohi, Josh Tuipolotu, Dave Hollis Jontay Betham-Misa and Peter Taateo. There were also some new second tier recruits from other clubs (more on those in the next couple of reports).
The Monday field session was, to use a cricket bowling analogy, a bit of a loosener. There was some conditioning work, then the field training wrapped up with ruck defence drills. Truthfully, there wasn’t much to report.
Wednesday (today) was completely different.
Conditioning begins
A squad of 27 players took to the field and there was the faintest echo of some quiet banter as the fellas threw a few footies around. The chat will amplify when Moses and the King return – if they don’t give it to each other, there’s no shortage of others to be targeted.
None of the seasoned players were in this group. No Gutho, Moses, Junior, Reg, Matto etc. Those who’ve played more than five seasons enjoy a slightly longer holiday. I’m expecting the rest of the boys to be back in action at the start of December.
The notable returnees today included Dylan Brown, Makahesi Makatoa, Reed Mahoney, Oregon Kaufusi, Ray Stone, Will Penisini and Haze Dunster. Ky Rodwell, Wiremu Greig, Elie El Zakhem and Hayze Perham were also present.
This was a long field session, going past the two hour mark.
Commencing with conditioning, questions were immediately asked with repeated efforts over a variety of short distances, in different formats. This extended well past the hour mark. (Please note, that although there is a commonality across the conditioning regime of most teams, I will avoid certain specifics so as not to divulge any intricacies of the Eels program).
Of the new faces, utility forward/dummy half Jayden Yates caught the eye. He had pushed up towards the front of the pack on Monday, and today he kept pace with the likes of Dylan Brown, Jake Arthur and Sean Russell.
Squad ready?
Speaking of Sean, this could be a big preseason for him. Maika Sivo’s injury has opened up an opportunity on the wing. Squad members such as Sean, Samuel Loizou, Matt Komolafe and Solomone Naiduki all have the opportunity to create an impression, and that started today for each of them.
After the conditioning concluded, the footy commenced. The group looked surprisingly sharp with their ball skills as they worked on short plays off the ruck. The play varied according to whether one or two markers were in place.
Finally the morning ended with the type of extras that would be typical of any training session. The halves put up kicks for the back five, the forwards worked on their passing off hit ups, and the dummy halves were passing off the ground.
To save some questions, there was no Mick Ennis or Paul McGregor on the field during my time observing the work, though I’m reliably informed that Ennis was on site on Tuesday.
I’ll be looking to provide some details on the efforts of as many players as I can during this preseason. There are some players that I didn’t mention in this report, mostly new arrivals, so I will aim to cover those fellas in my next post.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Well I have to say, its about time!
That is to have a team training report, albeit with reduced numbers, I admit to loving the aspect of Reed being back, and not forgetting the others either.
I look forward to seeing the needed faces in the squad, that include the known and unknown players, seeing them on the field takes the lead and the off field commentaries have their heads away.
It will all come together Colin. I’m trying to avoid the media speculation.
I’ve been looking forward to this day!
So was I Anthony!
Welcome back Training Reports, our off season oxygen.
Thanks Jimmy. Watching the preseason gets me through the footy drought.
Ahh we can all rest easy now and enjoy these reports.
Sixties, I wonder who will be the first to say those words……….(length of pre-season).
Good to have some pre-season thoughts and banter. Our backs stepping up will be imperative I feel.
Absolutely Milo, though it’s nice to know that Will Penisini has locked in a centre spot.
Will looks to have some special talent, and reminds in many ways of our former centre, who was also a western Sydney boy.
He even runs like him. Hope he is as quick.
He troubled every centre he faced
That he does
Has Roache definitely left the club?
Good question. I have heard different answers.
He’s not listed for any Eels squad, so I wouldn’t expect him to be playing in 2022. What happens in 2023 we will have to wait and see.
Now there’s a response that the Oracle of Delphi would be proud to claim her own!
😁
FWIW Carryanis reported he had done his ACL. Not sure if this is related to the knee bruising or a new injury.
Is Naiduki part of the top 30 now? I Noticed the official nrl website had him in the full time squad.
I believe he is.
Sixties anything you can tell us about our new signing Luca Moretti? Do you know much about him? Clubs thoughts on him?
He was part of training this week, but I was saving his mention to go with a couple of other arrivals.
I tell you what, he looks like he’s done a preseason to the preseason. Very fit, strong build.
Was with Norths/Roosters last year. Looks to be a ferocious defender (there’s a highlights compilation on YouTube).
Still young (early 20s), schoolboy Rep in both codes.
Don’t know much about how the club sees him as yet, but given the progression of blokes like Maka and Rodwell to NRL debuts last year, and Elie El Zakhem to the preseason this year, the ball is in his court to make a go of it.
Sorry Sixties you beat me to the punch.
😁 😁 😁
Found this now…
https://www.pressreader.com/australia/inside-sport/20200301/281526523065844
Cheers mate, appreciate the update. I heard the roosters were filthy when they found out he signed with us
He has a 95% effective tackle rate. Has not made his NRL debut. Where did you hear about him signing?
Made my week and gave me impetus to get back to training especially stretching! Love our Eels!
We do too Anon. Cheers!
Release Isaiah now… no loyalty, no respect! send him off to the pussies
No bugger that this is our big chance to win a flag next year.If these two guys are 600k a year players lets hope they play like it and get that title i dont care if we dont win another for 10 years but at least get one now this is our big opportunity.