Technical and tactical training that pushes conditioning work?
That’s how I’d describe Wednesday’s field session at Kellyville.
The pace of the session was unrelenting as the squad alternated between two fields of stations, often running as they transitioned to the next drill.
In a session that lasted close to two hours, the squad wouldn’t have been much longer than five minutes at each station. The exception may have been the full contact opposed work which might have extended to around ten minutes each time they rotated to it. This should give a guide as to how many changes/transitions occurred during the morning.
For mine, this provided a point of difference in a preseason which is already unlike many past preseasons. The Wednesday work was relentless but the session was constantly changing.
The drills were as follows:
* Unopposed shapes, with the team working through basic sets
Working through shapes
* Position specific drills. The halves and forwards worked through red zone attack unopposed. Simultaneously, the back five practised their ball handling and back field carries.
* Full contact red zone opposed. The squad was split into Blue and Green teams. Each rotation to this station would see a different team given possession.
* Three “tackle” touch footy. This was played with two touches and then a kick on the third. It is a very demanding game as there is a kick chase every twenty to thirty seconds.
* Passing drills, in a grid, similar to what you see during warm ups on match days.
* Offload and pass drills.
* Tackle bag, wrestle and defence line movement.
* Defence line movements with Malcolms (up and down to the ground)
Players love Malcolms
Notable Moments – Contact opposed
This station was the furthest away from my vantage point, being in the red zone at the far end of the field, so these were the main observations I could make from a distance.
* Powerful charges and great lines by Ofahengaue and Rodwell
* Tualagi and Ogden asking questions with their carries into contact
* A bit of a wrestle as Brazel prevented RCG from scoring
* Big contact from Mataele on Ofahengaue to force an error
* Terrific defence from Will Penisini on Bailey Simonsson to shut down a potential try and force an error
Defence drills
Notable Moments – Three Tackle Touch
There were two games played simultaneously on the adjoining fields so it was a challenge to keep track of the play, especially with how quickly the kick happens. The game is conducted on a slightly narrowed 100 metre field, between teams of seven or eight per side.
* An incredible chase by Ethan Sanders to run down Lumelume
* A charge down and regather from Josh Lynn to score a try
* Combined chase by Twiddle and Hands to prevent Simonsson from scoring
* A Luca Moretti dummy and sprint to score a try
Opinion
Much like last week, I thought that the coaches would have been pleased with the defence during the red zone contact opposed. We could hear some of the contact from the far end of the field and there were very few tries scored – two at most.
Once more, the pathways players held their own and deserve commendation for effort plays during the football components.
There seemed to be a positive vibe during the morning. The coaching staff were upbeat in their feedback to the squad.
Overall, this session would have been physically taxing on the players but would have been far from a mental grind. Instead, it would have required a mental refocus with every rotation.
The preseason with a difference continues.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Having seen many pathways groups do a preseason Sixties, where would you rank this group at this point in the preseason? I don’t think it hyperbolic to say that this group is as hyped as any in the last 10 or so seasons, interested to hear where you’d have them at.
We have had pathways players who were the equal of some of these players. It’s more the number of potential NRL players in this group that I think is greater than past seasons. They don’t need to be rushed but it’s exciting to watch. I think we’ll learn more about them as they adjust to open age football in NSW Cup.
Making them think and adjust every few minutes will be positive come match day and making them do it while under physical stress, twice as good. I hope they’re able to make defence count this coming season. It’s that old pearl, the best offense is a strong defence and having coached both codes and 7s over the years I see it’s still the core mantra that every winning team lives by… And crucially what destroyed us in the GF last year.
The defensive work is definitely there at training and I anticipate it will ramp up much stronger yet.
Thanks Sixties and I agree with Andy. I think we were around 11th in points against last season and not that much better in 2022 (?).
Defence needs to be a priority during our pre season. Whether it be changing structures or working with individuals to improve their decision making under defensive pressure – or perhaps both – it needs to be done. Otherwise it will be another frustrating season in 2024.
We need it as I’m tired of all the Bronco carry on here in Brisbane and want some stuff for good comebacks!
Cheers and thanks again.
Yep, I’ve been a worn record on this one, but our defence has just got to get tighter and more consistent. Decision making, numbering up, compressed structure have all contributed to lapses and last year we got caught short behind the ruck off quick play /fatigue. Moses and Brown were leading the way with our scramble but our roster disruption seemed to impact this as well.Just staying on the park in 2024 will deliver big improvement. Watching the Panthers and Broncos makes you think they have 15 on the field defending compared to us.
Doesn’t help that 1) we lost wrestle more often than not 2) most of our middle forwards are slow laterally and 3) ba left junior and rcg on way too long at the start of year – causing further fatigue and slowness around ruck. The coaches and players have said all the right things for last few years re: defence but never actually matched it with actions. Hopefully this year is different
Your continued negativity is your most positive attribute ron !
I try to provide my honest appraisal of our situation. You can, by all means, stick to one eyed “positivity” or whatever else you need to tell yourself but you shouldn’t tell other fans how to act (as long as it is a mere difference of footballing opinion – which it is). We clearly view the 2024 prospects differently but both hope it goes well.
Act however you like ron your opinions have no bearing same as mine , i simply choose to have faith in the club staff and players and tct who attend most training and games including juniors , their all qualified ,your simply a follower and im simply a supporter .
The arrogance to label some fans mere followers and others supporters or more qualified based on some idiosyncratic and artificial distinction you make viz posts online is laughable but you do you.
He is being positive about our poor defence.
No good ignoring a glaring weakness in our team. Imo we get off the tackled player far too early before our defensive line is set. Just look at the Panfers, they keep the tackled player held down for longer than most and rarely get penalised. Also look at their hit and stick, almost never are their tacklers laying on the ground, and this is another thing we need to learn to do better.
Glenn, for me you’re spot on. If we had better defence last season we would have been in the top 4; it’s that simple. And that with the injuries etc.
If they sort the defence we are top 4.
Any hear Penesini has done his ACL?
Nope? Sixties would know
It’s not Will.
Richard?
How’s Momoisea going? TCT was raving about him last off season. And Morgan Harper?
TCT never raved about him last year. In the preseason period after Christmas I reported that he looked to have pushed ahead of Doorey in the pecking order for a bench spot in Round 1. That was fact as he got the spot.
At this point I believe he will start on the NSW Cup bench in 2024.
Anything on Penesini Sixties?
On Richie? Not anything official
Momo is about to have a breakout season, just you watch.
If he can just make it up that sandhill.
Sixties does it look like there is going to be a change to out defensive structure? Has there been a focus on wrestling to slow the play the ball down? Are they learning to number up out wide? If not I guess we will be struggling yet again.
I can only say there there has already been a lot done with both technique and structure thus far. We won’t genuinely know any outcome until the matches start.