Welcome to the first pre-season training report of the 2023 season. It feels strange referencing it as 2023, but the upcoming six weeks or so of training in the lead up to Christmas will be critical for Eels fringe players, pathways products and new recruits.

To clarify that, there were around 22 players involved in this first week. More players will join them each subsequent week, with their return determined by when their season finished, the details of their contract, and how many seasons of NRL they have on their resume.

By early December, the NRL players not involved in the World Cup will be back in work, with the international stars making their first appearance in January.

There is an absolute slew of young talent in this first group, many of whom were involved in the mid-season Parramatta JETS program. A six week NRL preseason is the reward for their promise and effort. How many days they train for each week is determined by their individual circumstance.

I won’t name those pathways players in this report, though a few of them have deserved special mention. I’ll let them settle into their work for a bit longer first.

Back on the training track

However, there is no harm in listing the “older” brigade – those who’ve played NSW Cup level or who’ve already featured in last year’s preseason.

Matt Komolafe, Jontay Betham-Misa, Jayden Yates, Brendan Hands, Dan Keir, Tevita Taumoepenu, Jirah Momoisea and Jack Murchie would all be familiar with NRL training expectations. If I’ve missed any players from this category I’ll amend the post here. With some of these fellas pushing for an NRL opportunity in 2023, their efforts on the training track right now will lay the groundwork for realising such ambitions.

Yates, Hands and Keir all look to be in superb condition. The off-season would have been in name only for them. They’ve turned up ready.

The first week appeared to be all about familiarisation, with the coaches laying down the law about standards and expectations.

Even something as simple as warm up routines need explanation and familiarisation, especially as Trent Elkin’s conditioning drills are designed to get players thinking about a goal for each set.

Skills acquisition featured from Day 1, with short pass and long pass drills kicking things off. The session rounded out with 4 vs 3 grid work which put the microscope on competing and footy discipline. Arthur wrapped things with a very strong message about what he needs to see moving forward.

Wednesday’s session emphasised the willingness to learn within this group. Whereas Monday highlighted how raw the players are, the second field session was sharp with players immediately grasping the purpose of each drill.

Again there was no time wasted. Footy skills were once more included, with rapid passing featuring, and defence line movements being a key component.

Typically, the final session of the week was the toughest. The players completed their first sets of M runs, and this is where the fittest begin to shine.

On that point, the effort games that they played on the back of the runs allowed the best conditioned to excel.

The kick chase game is non stop running. I reckon the lungs would have been burning more from that game than from the M runs.

And if that wasn’t enough, the pole touch footy game (where the defender who stopped the play exits the field around a pole before rejoining the defence line) asks even more questions, and the effort required to get back into the defence without leaving your side a man down is indicative of the team ethos that coaches are looking for.

Players were left in no doubt about that after they had finished.

Friday concluded with ruck plays and tackling skills – single man and two man tackles, with plenty of contact and leg drive on show.

The overall fitness of the squad deserves praise. The majority of these young pathways boys have prepared themselves well for their opportunity. We’ve seen a number of times in the past where players haven’t don’t so. The price paid can be high.

As far as coaching staff are concerned, Trent Barrett and Nathan Cayless were there, and we were also able to grab a few words with Murf.

From a player perspective, it interesting to see a couple of the top 30 fellas there in their “civvies”. Jake Arthur and Sam Loizou are still on their break, but Jake was kicking footballs around on one of the adjoining fields, with Loizou feeding him the passes.

Though not back into the preseason grind, these two mates were dedicating their time to honing specific skills.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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