What do you get when Clint Gutherson and Mitch Moses join the preseason?
How about a noticeable lift in the competitiveness out on the field!
The King has always set the standard on the training track and there’s never been a shortage of young guns trying to take him down. We witnessed some of that today.
However, we should also discuss the massive shift of the needle on the “banter-barometer”. The relationship between the Prince and the King means that any opportunity to fire a shot at each other is rarely missed.
So when both players returned to Kellyville this morning, the level of talk, serious and humorous, became a feature.
For anyone that thinks that this is inconsequential, I’d remind them that the talk on the training paddock is critical.
When the work gets tough out there, players are urged to encourage or challenge their team mates. In last week’s report I noted that very message being delivered, and I wrote about Ray Stone stepping up in that regard.
Preseasons are demanding. The coaching staff expect high standards, and they expect the leadership group and senior players to help drive that. There needs to be strong voices within the squad.
Chasing the King
The other aspect is that a bit of banter brings a few laughs, creates bonds and brings some players out of their shells. A light hearted moment at the right time makes their time together enjoyable. After all,there’s no shortage of time spent in each other’s pockets.
An example of that banter came during the opposed work this morning. With the team set for a shift to the left, Moses dummied and attempted to step the defence.
Unfortunately for him, that move put him squarely in the sights of Oregon Kaufusi. The consequence was too good for Gutho to ignore and he let Oggy know how enjoyable it was to watch (I’m paraphrasing the more colourful commentary delivered by a delighted Gutherson)
Moses and Gutho are the first of the experienced NRL players to return to training. The remainder of the squad are expected back on Wednesday.
Gutherson’s return produced no surprises. Just as he’s done every year, he made it his business to set the standards. His task was made a little easier with the usual challengers – Dylan Brown and Jake Arthur – not participating in the conditioning work.
Go Stoney!
That said, Hayze Perham, Haze Dunster, Sean Russell, and Sam Loizou all did their best to push the King. Perham even looked to have Gutho’s measure in one run. As for the forwards, Ray Stone continued to impress with Brendan Hands looking to go with him. To be more accurate, Stoney’s efforts are demanding that the staff take notice.
There was no shortage of football during this session.
It kicked off with working through tryline sets, unopposed. Later it progressed from working through a corridor on the field, to plays on either side of the ruck, with opposition.
This marked the first time this preseason that physical contact in defence was used as part of the ball work. Although the squad has been drilling their tackling technique, any ball work had been either against a relatively passive defence or none at all.
Despite the added pressure of the advancing defence, the ball play looked quite sharp and decisive. The increased talk resulting from Gutho and Moses seemed to add speed to the execution.
At the conclusion of the session an interested observer made his way onto the field. Freddy Fittler had dropped in to catch up with his NSW assistant coach Paul McGregor as well as a few players. He and BA took the opportunity to have a chat – probably laughing about some of the mid season rumours involving the Eels coaching job.
Bring on Wednesday and the return of the rest of the squad.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Your reports are great for supporters morale. Thanks sixties – terrific to read that the ‘sky isn’t falling’…at least not until 2023…
Agree with this, enjoyable read. Great to hear about Ray Stone lifting a gear too. He’s a likeable footballer with the way he creases people with his defence. Hopefully BA can reward all this hard work he sounds like he’s putting in, with some more game time during 2022.
Mick, Stone is smashing it.
What position? I noticed in last weeks photo he was at hooker.
Also can you tell us a bit about this hooker we picked up from Newcastle and Hands. I know Hands is talented.
Gary, in the drills I’ve seen Stone has mostly played on an edge.
Hands was third in line at the Riff, which meant being on the bench in Reggies when Mitch Kenny was starting. He’s very fast and his service looks good.
Ive attached the highlights of Jacob Davis. I’m not sure what grade he will play as he’s still very young
https://youtu.be/hhPRiZAIjEs
Had a look at the video highlights. For someone as skinny as he looked, his speed and footwork was excellent and good to watch.
The best part I think was his ability to wronfoot the opposition, especially when he came from dummy half, he looked up as the ball was being played to one side of the ball player, and mostly took off down the other side of the ruck, he also looked as if he was going to run the other side.
Someone to watch through the season.
Absolutely Col
It was all very positive today Pete.
Another nicely written article. BTW, is Ogden already part of the training group? If so, what are your initial impression of him? Thanks.
Cheers. Haven’t seen Ogden as yet
Good report Sixties. Great to hear good news re Perham, Dunster, Russell, Loizou & Hands. I hope they have massive pre seasons! Thanks again mate.
Cheers Gil. The attitude of the players looks brilliant. There’s a long way to go before a ball is kicked in anger, but the taste of NRL can get that fire burning.
I’m secretly hoping that Greg werimu is going to be a revelation.
I suspect that for this to happen he will need to go to dark places with his fitness this off season. Sixties I’m interested to know if Greg is a bona fide big man , in an nrl context, in the flesh. Cheers mate
Looked grossly overweight
im not sure what their weight goals are for him, but I wouldn’t think that he’s grossly overweight at all.
Was also wondering/hoping this. Has the build to be a powerhouse and liked what little he showed last year.
Sixties can you give us any indication on how Grieg is tracking?
My early call is that he’s tracking ok for a big man. He doesn’t finish near the lead in the conditioning work, but he doesn’t finish last. By the end of the preseason I reckon he’ll be in very good shape.
I think his trajectory will be high.
👍 👍 👍
Wiremu Greig is doing his first preseason with us. If he created an impression without an NRL preseason, I’d expect him to be jumping out of his skin at the end of this one.
That’s wad I’m talken bout.
I wonder if he will make the indigenous team again. They playing it at parra stadium
Just realised wiremu played for Maori team, sorry
Should be a good game!
Lol, the Fittler and BA chat would have been hilarious.
I have to admit that I’m curious.
This is the wholesome Eels content we all need.
Absolutely Shaun!
Cheers Matt.
In all seriousness, just after we started TCT I was asked about our content at an Eels function. The question was to the point – my family are all big fans. Could I feel safe about my kids reading the content? The answer is that this is a site for all Eels supporters and thousands of such supporters have always respected that.
Good read again Sixties,
Thanks for this one, and good to see Gutho’s hair looking decent again.
Great to read about Stone. Tough player.
Sixties do you see any of Hayze Perham, Sean Russell, and Sam Loizou playing much NRL in 2022?
It will be interesting to see what happens with Junior in terms of contract.
Cheers Milo. I believe that each will get opportunities. What they manage to do with such opportunities will go some way towards determining how many games that means. What I will say is that they have obviously kept working during their time off because they have made great starts to the preseason.
I love your site I can’t believe Ive only just found it.
Thanks Damian. You found us through Insta, right? Feel free to spread the word 😃.
The good news is that you have 6 years of content to keep you busy. All the right calls and wrong calls we’ve made. Our interviews – there’s a few legend interviews – video and podcast – to work through too.