In what could be viewed as a Christmas present for Eels supporters, two of the big men were running with the rehab group in today’s field session.
It was only a light run for both Junior and Wiremu who have been on the sideline for all and most of this preseason respectively, but it was encouraging to see them hit the field before the two week break.
Of course, supporters should always refer to official Eels media releases for injury details and timelines.
In the absence of these two middle powerhouses, one player has taken the opportunity to push his claims for a first grade spot. The 2024 version of Luca Moretti might just be a far more confident player after finally getting a taste of first grade during the 2023 season. More on that in my highlights from the session.
Once more, the previous week’s training concluded with an excursion to another location – this time the Central Coast, with a big session at Shelly Beach included in the camp. BA has kept things very fresh by bringing genuine variety to what is a longer preseason than normal for the Eels (the early finish to the 2023 season being the cause).
As for today’s session, it was an equal mix of conditioning and opposed, with most of the running bookending the morning’s work.
Ethyn Martin stretches out during conditioning work
The opposed component was mostly focussed on red zone attack and defence, though if the defending team forced a turnover, they were allowed a set working through yardage.
Splitting the squad into “Blue” and “Green” teams resulted in the established NRL playing talent being divided equally between the teams. As an example, Moses and Sanders faced Brown and Lynn in the halves battle. Mostly, it featured NRL right side facing NRL left side.
The defence was quite strong, and forced a few errors through the middle. Nonetheless, a number of attacking highlight efforts made my notes.
Please note – if the following list starts reading like a Luca Moretti resume, he deserved all of the accolades. The 2023 debutant has brought consistent energy to his efforts this preseason and could push to start the season in the 17.
Opposed Highlights
* Luca Moretti running great lines and creating defensive challenges with every carry
* A try to Moretti off a great charge in behind the ruck
* A big hit by Moretti causing lost possession
* J’Maine Hopgood setting up a break in yardage by Joe Ofahengaue with a hit up, bump and offload
Hopggood? Hopgreat? Hopgoat?
* Ethyn Martin scoring a try. The young winger showed great pace and athleticism in picking up a bouncing pass, sprinting to the corner and diving over the line with defenders contacting him.
* Matt Doorey running a terrific line to powerfully bust through defenders and score a try.
* Great cover defence from Mitch Moses and Will Penisini to drive Isaac Lumelume over the sideline and prevent a try.
* A close range try to Joey Lussick with a quick dart out of dummy half
* Dylan Brown streaking away after picking up a bouncing RCG offload and getting around the defence
The session concluded with a few sets of Malcolms followed by extras.
I extend my thanks to BA and new arrival Morgan Harper for having a few quick words with us after training finished.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Thanks Sixties for the update. I was at Shelly Beach yesterday. Pity I missed them.
Martin
Apparently a few locals did get out to watch them
Yeah mate was watching unfortunately he couldn’t get hold of me, he reckons they were belting the shit out of each other
When I report that the contact work is full on, I’m sure there are people who doubt it. Glad your mate could confirm how serious the contact is.
Good to hear Ethyn Martin is making an impact. How’s his defence coming along?
I didn’t have major concerns about his defence. Ethyn is doing a limited preseason so I’d like to see him play nsw cup in 2024 to better assess his defence
Why the limited pre-season? He is a real bolter to play NRL this year
It’s all to do with contracts and spaces. He’s doing ok given he arrived part way through last season to join the Flegg team and now he’s getting exposure to an NRL preseason.
Great to see Moretti coming to life. When he was recruited from the Roosters I checked out his highlights reel. From what I seen of that his defence was very good.
Have always had big expectations on him.
These reports are always more interesting once the opposed work starts.
Hey John, Moretti’s junior pedigree was elite – both league and Union. His self belief looks strong
Moretti should be secured with a top30 contract
He is on a Dev deal in 2024 and a top 30 deal for 2025.
Can someone please explain to me what an M-run / “Malcolm” is? I missed the original explainer and my googling has been fruitless!
M run = start at the corner post at one end of the field , run the length of the field to a mid point between the opposite end corner and goal post, back down the field to under the black dot, back up to mid point between goal and corner post, back down field to the corner post on the other side of the field to where you started. Forms the shape of an M
Malcolms named after Mal Reilly who introduced them. Squad lines out in a line. Trainer blows whistle, squad runs 10m turns, drops to push up position, then stands up straight away, waits for whistle. Trainer blows whistle, squad runs 10m turns, drops to push up position, then stands up, waits for whistle. Repeat, repeat, repeat,repeat, repeat, repeat,repeat, repeat, repeat,repeat, repeat, repeat,repeat, repeat, repeat,repeat, repeat, repeat,repeat,
Repeat … actually repeat again
Sorry thought I was Cuzzie for a moment
Thank you for the comprehensive explanation. They both sound bloody exhausting!
Last year, i asked whether our attack was truly impressive during the pre season when the nrl players were versing the nsw cup defense.
I’m glad this year, it is nrl left vs nrl right. It was something i pointed out as a suggestion.
So do you think it made a difference or not?
Did the nrl defense prevent some of the tries?
It’s also good for the nrl defense to defend against the nrl level attack
Thanks for your reports
Its been left v right sesions for ages now. Even in season they train left v right for part of the sessions, its only really the main sesson that they line up v NSW cup
As Parrathruandthru pointed out, the preseason mostly pits right vs left. When it gets to the really serious game condition opposed work later in the preseason and then during the season they change it to NRL vs Cup to build up the combinations.
Good to hear Junior and Wiremu are building back into pre-season, they both have important roles in our side. Wiremu was really warming into a serious NRL player last year and I think he’s got more in him.
I don’t mind Junior having an enforced rest through his injury – he’s played a lot of football the last 2 seasons and I thought it caught up with him at times this year. Our middle rotation looks strong so id hope to see his minutes drop a little and keep him firing through the season. Guys like Moretti pushing up will help that.
There’s an argument that Juniors impact could be greater off the bench. The question becomes about the time Junior and Reg get to spend on the field together.
I’d be keen to see this tested 60s. See if you can get in BAs ear!
I’d be stunned if it’s not in his thinking given he dabbled with it in 2023.
Didn’t he do it in the Penrith game, our last game of 2023?
Wiremu and Joe O starting. Junior and Hopgood off the bench?
Morretti is a good one. Him and Greig will have big seasons. I also think Ethyn Martyn has a future. I get the feeling BA doesn’t see him as a NRL prospect this season but more for 2025.
Him and Talahi may give our backline the speed it needs.
I agree on Martin, I think there’s potential but 2025 more realistic for an NRL opportunity. He does have speed and good footwork, yardage might be his area to work on in open age footy. He certainly runs without fear.
2025 is realistic about most of the young players. The preseason now is as much about finding out more about them as it is for preparing them for the following preseason and potential NRL spots. Maybe one or two debut at some point this season.
How is Haze coming along?
It normally takes a year or two to run comfortably and be able to reach top speed after the injury he had.
He looks bigger than before and is now running much better. I haven’t seen him in circumstances where I can compare pace. Their sprint work is mostly staggered starts.