When the preseason commenced, there were a number of players rehabilitating from injuries or operations. One of those was the King, Clint Gutherson, whom we last saw hobbling off the field in the Eels Round 26 victory over the Panthers.
Back when he fronted at Kellyville in early November, Gutho declared that he would be running before Christmas. True to his word, that running commenced today.
Whether he is ahead of schedule, or how long it will be before he can join the squad in full training, I cannot answer. What I can state from watching Gutherson undertaking past rehabs, is that he is a total professional and makes every endeavour to be back on the field as soon as possible.
There was again a point of difference in today’s field session at Kellyville with the squad split into two for the entire session.
The forwards were the first on the field and had completed most of their warm up by the time they were joined by the backs. They were therefore the first to complete the session.
Conditioning work occupied approximately 50% of the morning, though it seemed that the backs might have had a slightly heavier load than the forwards. The running, for both the forwards and the backs, was at pace and the players looked to be giving absolutely one hundred percent.
It was impossible to give any comparison between the players as they were sent on their runs at intervals. However, it seemed that they were receiving immediate feedback about their effort via the data received from their GPS units.
The first technical drill for the forwards involved offloading and passing skills. Within that, a variety of different offloads were practised.
Later in the session, the forwards worked through different shapes in the red zone. Their plays would start from different points inside the quarter, with some designed to get to another specific point, and others designed as potential scoring plays.
As for the backs, it was all about ball handling. There were drills fielding awkward catches and others involved picking up bouncing footballs.
Broken into two groups of back five, with two other groups forming a kick and chase team, they worked on kick return options. The kick and chase team were aiming kicks to different parts of the field, with the back five team deciding on which return to practise.
When the forwards finished their session and extras, we were treated to a sideline goal kicking duel between RCG and Carty. Big Reg was showing off, kicking both left and right footed and Carty looked to be making a good strike with his attempts. That said, I don’t see either of them taking Moses’ job.
The backs finished their work with organised extras. A marked zone was set up in each corner with the halves aiming their high kicks for those targets and the centres and wingers fielding the ball. Getting the foot behind the try line or over the sideline with any slightly wayward kicks looked like a priority. Simultaneously Baz was hoisting kicks under the posts for the fullbacks.
It was close to the two hour mark when the session finally wrapped. Bring on Wednesday.
Eels forever!
Sixties
I continue to be impressed by the standard of the pathways players. Their big test will be regular open age football in NSW Cup this coming year, but as far as their training is concerned, they are matching it with the more seasoned players.
I get a feeling Sixties that the current pathways group may be a part of an ongoing succession of potential high achievers.
That would be good if true
We have to keep investing more money into the pathways to retain the best players and bring in the best.
Despite not being named officially by the club there have been various reports of us signing players from outside the district. We have Vaivela (came to us last season), Stevenson-Hala, Dakota Kakoi, Shane-Tapau, Camilleri, and Izaiah Mafi. 2 forwards, 2 backs and 2 spine players amongst that lot.
More money means better resources which hopefully means more and better juniors coming through.
Ham, I’m hearing great things about their prep for the upcoming junior rep season too.
Will TCT be covering the trials on Saturday?
Achilles, I’m not sure at this stage. If one of us makes the trip, there are matches being played simultaneously which makes it difficult.
Sadly we cant keep them, we develop them and then they hit the open market, and the dollars on offer – the NRL needs to fix this scenario.
John, your use of the word succession is relevant. There are players coming through in the different age groups – so hopefully no years where the talent is non existent.
That is the benefit of chasing players outside of the Eels junior squads. There is not always going to be the right mix of elite players coming through as you point out.
It has to be targeted selection for bringing players in to cover identified weaknesses.
It is the sad truth about a player like Ethan Sanders. His age does not sync with the NRL needs for succession.
John, gone are the days when you’d get future champion players bide their time in lower grades. I always think back to the Manly and Australian hooker and captain Max Krilich. He bided his time behind Fred Jones and played a huge number of reserve grade games before playing first grade. The professional careers of players in a dynamic player market place doesn’t cater to that any more.
George piggins was the same at Souths behind elwyn walters
Tanky another from South’s Paul Sait. Was picked from reserve grade to tour England, play tests?
Yes that’s right mate