The “holiday” is over.
Resplendent in their new training gear, Parra’s most experienced NRL players finally returned to their Kellyville HQ.
It should go without saying that senior players don’t spend the off season with their feet up on the lounge. They hit the gyms and the running tracks. Match fitness might take a few weeks yet, but the fellas front up ready to train.
Days such as this can be challenging to document. There are 27 players who are now commencing their third week of training, whereas today’s arrivals are logging in for their Day 1.
Consequently, there were numerous periods during the morning when the squad was split into two groups for both conditioning and skills. I won’t attempt to detail everything, rather I’ll provide a few highlights from the session.
From a conditioning perspective, Waqa Blake and Bryce Cartwright look to be in superb shape.
Waqa and Junior (image courtesy Bocko, Eels media.
Waqa has always been an impressive athlete and really glides across the turf, and this year he looks to have returned in the best nick of his time at the Eels.
Carty was a standout trainer last preseason and his commitment to his fitness has not abated. I’m looking forward to watching Stoney battle it out with him over summer.
Speaking of Mr 3:16, he is now seriously close to being one of the fittest in the squad. The running invoked the squad travelling up and down the field over various intervals, so the players were spread across the field rather than running a course in a pack. It was interesting to watch Stone look across the field as he set his sights on beating home his closest competitors.
The big men, Reg and Junior, ran alongside each other. These blokes build through a preseason and the evidence of their work ethic showed out last season with the long minutes that each played.
Speaking of forwards, Oregon impressed with his efforts in today’s conditioning. A huge opportunity to awaits Oggy. He was close to a given selection until late in the 2021 season, and if he continues on the same trajectory he will be difficult for BA to omit.
Reg in the new gear (cheers Bocko)
Readers have questioned me about Wiremu Greig’s fitness. I’m not sure why some supporters are being critical of his fitness based on a couple of photos. He is a genuine big middle forward and he’s completing his first Eels preseason. If anything he looks fitter than when he joined us earlier this year, and will be ready to fire by the time March rolls around.
During the conditioning work, Trent Elkin constantly reminds the players to think. There are ways that he constructs the courses that demand it. I won’t give away any of his trade secrets, but the players earned a pass mark in a sneaky test today.
The footy component in this session didn’t involve the senior players. This created the opportunity for me to report on some of the younger squad members.
A four “tackle” kick chase game (it was around 9/10 per side) was interspersed with the conditioning runs. The players transitioned from the running to the game with a minimal recovery period. An emphasis on effort plays under fatigue seemed to be the goal.
There were moments where some individuals were physically tested, and errors crept in. Likewise there were instances that were entertaining to watch and highlighted the skills of the younger squad members.
Elie El Zakhem (another Bocko photo)
These included:
* A Sean Russell kick chase that saw him out sprint defenders before being taken out by Gutho as he looked to regather the ball. I’m calling a penalty try there!
* Elie El Zakhem picking up a loose pass, then pivoting to beat the defenders before sprinting 20 metres to the corner
* Luca Moretti showing surprising pace to beat the defence on the outside in a 40 metre burst down field.
* Caleb Tohi scoring a try off a run around play with Sam Loizou after earlier running a clever inside line that drew defenders to create a break down the sideline.
The session concluded after just over 90 minutes – a solid return in what became reasonably humid conditions.
Other commitments will prevent me from attending further training this week. If anything newsworthy occurs I’ll include it in the next Bumpers Up column.
Reports will resume next Monday.
Eels forever!
Sixties
This shapes up to be a great year for parra. First Lock up junior and have a red hot crack at premiership. At the end of the year – lose reed, papa, nuikore. Cut lane, sivo and/or matto. Then splash the cash on a good winger, hooker, backrower or any other position imo
Why would you cut Sean Lane? He is one of the most reliable second rowers going around.
Interesting times…pre-season in full swing, rumour mill in full swing. Hopefully Junior signs soon….hopefully we have a red hot crack at verrils as he is a very classy hooker….wouldn’t be surprised if we have a crack at tariq sims for 2023 if we lose some experience in the back row. Interesting times ahead
It’s never dull, that’s for sure.
As always love this content. Can’t wait till the start of the season.
Thanks Shaun, watching the prep gets me through the summer.
Wish they’d take that picture of ice down on parra website ,not interested in his family any more than he’s interested in the parramatta family !!
He does have a lovely family. I had the pleasure of meeting them and they have been invested in his time so far at Parra.
However, you do open a subject that may be worth a post in the future. Supporters become emotionally invested, firstly in the club, but then very much in the players. It’s not quite the same for players. Outside of some exceptions they won’t have the same attachments. It’s a professional game. If anyone becomes too attached to players, it is increasingly likely that they will be set for future disappointment. Clubs will cut favourites. Favourites will leave clubs. In reality, how we feel as fans won’t be a determining factor in the decision. If a player is offered way under what other clubs are offering, he won’t stay because he doesn’t want to upset the fans. If a club has a competing club offering way over market value, they won’t decide to match it because the fans want them too. Each party makes the call that’s best for them.
Souths not offering Reynolds more than a year is a prime example. You couldn’t get a player more Bunnies than him in the modern game, but when they wouldn’t commit to him for longer than 12 months he had to make a decision that was best for him. They made a call, he made a call. And despite the backlash from fans against the club or him, all that mattered was that he was playing his best whilst wearing their jersey.
As I hit 2022 with the departing players, that’s all I expect from them. Do their best in the Parra jersey. I have naturally had favourite players and ones that have sometimes departed. Ultimately, I have always followed the Parramatta Eels. The team. The colours. The jersey.
Glad u mentioned wonga 60s . I was really impressed with him this year. He put in. I remember gus saying , when wonga was at riff, that he was late to the game of nrl. But he was a tremendous athlete but lacked a bit of the instinct that some players naturally have or had the chance to develop it starting at a young age. Sometimes I feel he needs to be a bit Zen like , things don’t always seem to flow for him and I’m not big on players who , when running the ball back , shimmy shimmy wat even is that gus before the line, it seems to confuse them more that the defence. But I like him and glad he on our team, really turning into a eels man. Gr8 to hear he has returned in the best shape since joining us. Normally I wouldn’t put the mocka on the boys and say this is our year because it adds pressure to the already pressured club since we haven’t won a gf since 86. But everything is pointing to 2022 being our year, I think they can handle that pressure and even thrive on it.
Matthew, I’m not going to make any big calls other than I expect Parra to play finals footy. As for Waqa, he really glides effortlessly across the turf. That’s an interesting take that his footy instincts might not be as natural. I suspect he will have a big 2022.
Sounds on point about Waqa…I was a bit critical of he and Ferguson on the right but as soon as Waqa went to the left he hit his straps and probably his best form at the club. I hope for a continuation of this form in 2022.
Looking forward to Wiremu’s contribution after a full off season. Thanks again 60s
Likewise along with Hollis. Both will need to push for NRL spots this season.
Gary, I too have hopes for Dave having a good season. The last two years of interruption have kept him out of the limelight but also meant minimal footy
Same Gil
Thanks Sixties, great read as usual.
Thanks Pete
Moretti will be a gun with a little good fortune.
I reckon he could be too.
Hopefully the club extends him on his
Pre season if he puts in. I think he is the reason the club is ok with losing our two forwards.
Really think he could be something special.
Sometimes people are the right fit for certain clubs or certain coaches. That’s the risk players take when shifting clubs. There are many times that players don’t reach the same heights elsewhere. I reckon Luca will be a good fit at the Eels.
It’s only a highlight reel, but Moretti runs and tackles with intent. The well timed hit with plenty of shoulder probably had some of those schoolboys thinking that tennis might have been the better option on sport day.
I couldn’t have described it better!
Another polished write up mate. Thank you. I was Waqa’s biggest critic early on but he improved so much that he was a weapon towards the end. His defence was enormous and he started to try and put his winger away. Hopefully he continues this progression.
These new kids must be able to see there is a path to the NRL. A big Pre season, a tip toe in the trials and your potentially off. Watching the highlights of the young LUCA he reminds of a younger Hindy. Mixing it over both offence/defence with some youthful brillance. I certainly feel that we have got the ducks lined up for 2022. Dont waste this chance boys.
Cheers PT, and interesting analogy of Luca.
Great reading sixties, just asking if aitisa james ,young prop was still with the club ,
Aitisa James is signed to Wests Tigers NSW cup for 2022.
Thanks Ken and Big Derek has given you the mail on Tasi.
Sixties any sign of ofihiki ogden from.the bulldogs was meant to dtart on Monday.
He could be there on Friday.
Good read as usual. Keep up the good work.
Has Rein been training ?
Read a report that Rein is training the house down and looking very sharp.
There’s so much wrong about this post it’s not even worth replying. But I did. Stupid me. BTW do you think Melbourne will miss the 8 too?
Ok, you said, and I quote, ‘nearly all of our 1st graders are purchased players’. Which is a total fabrication. Of our team that last played an NRL game (semi v Panthers), we had in our 17: Haze Dunster, Will Penisini, Dylan Brown, Ray Stone, Marata Nuikore. All developed by us. In addition, we had Mitch Moses, Jnr Paulo, Ryan Matterson, all Parra juniors. If you are going to bag the club, at least do it with facts and logic.
Oh and also developed by us that played first grade in 2021. Oregan Kaufusi, Kye Rodwell, Sean Russell, Jacob Arthur, Sam Louizou. Reed was developed by us too.
Great replies Soren.
He sounds like a bit of a boofhead.
I am not as graceful as you
Hey Soren, As Talking Heads Titled album in 84 or so once said STOP MAKING SENSE!! 🙂
Reed who don’t know of that kid.
Soren, I wouldn’t bother replying at all.
Thanks Sixties,
Interesting to hear about Waqa doing well. Do you think there is much chance of him playing on the wing?
Great to read about Greig, i think he can very useful for us and his additional off season will only benefit him.
You hit the nail with Oggy, he needs to have a big season I feel, as he impressed a few seasons ago when debuting.
Not withstanding his other attributes I like Wiremu’s aggression.
Without wishing to state the obvious, forwards need aggression in spades.
Spot on John
I wouldn’t rule it out Milo. He was meant to play on the wing in the 2020 final vs Souths until the Jenko problem hit.
how did hollis look any thoughts on him
You are a troll. Go away.
You make it so obvious Chief
I think Tool not troll
For big men like Hollis, Junior, Reg, Wiremu I like to get a few looks at opposed sessions before I comment on their preseasons. They will rarely shine in the conditioning runs. But by early February you start to see the value of the fitness work.