Spoiler alert. There will be many positives in this report. If you’re not here for this, it’s best to give today’s post a wide berth.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, the first news is that the usual Wednesday field session was shifted to Thursday. There was a massive school holiday clinic held on Wednesday, and the players involvement in that clinic was probably a factor.
Consequently, this Thursday session became the last field training of the week, with the squad receiving a long weekend.
Before beginning a description of this session, I need to address the concerns of a number of readers who all asked about the work done on defence.
Unless I declare that a drill or activity is unopposed, you can safely assume that there is as much weighting placed on the defence as there is on attack.
Furthermore, there are specific drills working on systems or techniques that occur during a session that I have described in a number of reports, plus there are designated contact sessions held outside of the morning field training.
The other point to emphasise is that in describing highlights of a training session, I’m more likely to be focussed on the attack. This is true of most rugby league commentary or reports.
Now to today’s session.
Junior And Woody
For the first time this preseason, Junior Paulo was out of rehab and into opposed football. He looks exceptionally fit, which is not surprising considering the running that he’s been doing during rehab.
Wiremu Greig was involved in the early weeks of the preseason but has been in rehab since. He also participated in today’s opposed session. Like Junior, Woody looks lean and fit.
Both players were wearing fluoro orange vests, indicating they were only to receive light contact. The journey back isn’t complete, but it’s on track.
Haze Dunster
Haze has had an exceptionally tough two years. A devastating knee injury robbed him of the 2022 season after he had won the Eels 2021 Rookie of the Year Award.
Then as he battled back from injury in 2023, a blood disorder struck hard. Haze spoke to me about it late in the season. I obviously chose not to write about it at the time, but supporters are now aware of the difficulties he faced.
I decided to put some focus on Haze in this report because this was easily his best session. He carried the football powerfully into contact and was elusive in broken field running.
Haze will likely start the season in NSW Cup. A major issue in 2023 was backline depth. Injury and illness effectively removed Dunster as an option. Today was a promising sign that the winger could be back in the mix.
Opposed
Throughout the morning, the opposed work alternated with a defensive drill on the second field. This involved moving in a line and working an opponent to the ground.
A defence drill in action
Once more, possession and set starts were determined by the coaches. Occasionally, if one team forced a turnover, or began a kick return, the play would continue to a stoppage.
However, there were many instances of repeat possessions which provided the opportunity to practise the attack as well as testing the defence. This was reflected in many tries to the NRL team.
To be fair, both sides impressed with their ball movement. The NSW Cup team asked questions but the NRL team answered nearly all.
When in possession, the NRL team really flexed their muscle. They won the middle on both sides of the ball and the backline took full advantage. In reality, they always should. But, their work was exceptionally sharp in what was oppressive conditions.
Highlights
* Kelma Tuilagi ran great lines throughout the session. He also contested a last tackle kick and his tap back led to a try by Shaun Lane.
* Early on, Gutherson made his presence felt. He set the session alight, beating the chasers on a kick return, and finding Dylan Brown in support for a long range try. Not long after, he cut through the defence off a scrum 20 metres out, before passing to Maika Sivo who crossed in the corner.
Set start from a scrum
* Will Penisini was on fire. First he beat defenders after receiving the ball off a scrum and ran 80 metres for the try. Later he made a long break, found Moses in support, who then delivered a pass for Russell to score. He emphasised his form by putting Russell over after great chain passing from the team that stretched from sideline to sideline, then crossing himself towards the end of the session.
* Mitch Moses executed a perfect cross field kick for Sean Russell to plant the ball out wide.
* Maika Sivo added another try after good work inside him from Dylan Brown and Bailey Simonsson
* Dan Kerr scored for the Cup team after good lead up work by Haze Dunster
* Dylan Brown set up Maika Sivo’s final try with a pinpoint pass
* Makahesi Makatoa scored for the Cup team with a strong charge on the edge.
* Mitch Moses emulated Dylan Brown with a cut out to Sean Russell to grab the last try of the morning.
The debrief
Here’s to the squad enjoying their long weekend.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Good,reading,sixties, probably, hard to call from where you watch, but is Morgan harper…
A talker on field in defence, as this could be what gets him picked for start off year ,
Or is simonsson,a better talker,
A bit hard to comment that specifically. Sorry
I am so happy for haze. I rated him highly and hope he kicks on.
I hope he does too.
Thanks for the reports 60s. Is Haze back to running at full pace. Last year he could only muster a canter.
Just on defence, is there any difference in training this year to last?
To my eye, there are differences, but the real test is when they start playing other teams. All that said, apart from their defence off the scrum against certain teams, (and they worked a lot on that during the season) the main defensive issues come from players straight out missing a tackle or falling out of their systems. I watched them drill and practise their systems for different parts of the field during last season and virtually every time there was a problem it was possible to point to a player or two not getting their assignment done.
Yes that one on one miss stands out and has for a long time.
Another great report which answers questions of readers about defence and provides further insight to how the players are shaping up. Thanks Martin
You’re welcome mate. I really enjoyed watching the session. Didn’t want it to end despite the heat and humidity.
I hope Haze has an uninterrupted year, he’s a talented junior that was really developing before that knee injury set him back.
At his best he can be a very effective yardage player which is an area we need improvement on from our outside backs.
I agree BP. This is a critical year for him, and as you say, one of his best attributes was his work in yardage.
Good kid who has worked hard to achieve his dream , fate has been cruel to him , he deserves better but hes not a surrender kid so anythings possible when you dig in .
Absolutely true. NRL is a tough gig. If he gets back to that level, kudos to him.
Maybe a little different style of question 60’s. When the Cup side play against the NRL side is that very difficult for those boys to be getting their arses kicked all the time. Is there an ongoing commaradie as these match ups get played.
I ask this question because I can only imagine it’s a reinforcement of being second best that can be become disheartening without proper management.
I have always had a feeling that Reserve Grade can be difficult for Reserve Graders to improve when you are playing with people who are looking to graduate from a different level when playing with everyone else with the same goals. Teamwork suffers as a result .
I go back to the days of our Reserve Grade in the golden years being heavily mixed with First Grade experience, it’s something I have always been accustomed to that a strong Reserve Grade side is essential for an aspirational FG Team, I also note the terrible defensive standard when watching these teams in the disparate opportunities available to Qld fans…..My suspicion is that we don’t place enough importance on this team in the way the shuffling takes place…..maybe we should be placing more prestige on them…..it should be the second most important grade but we see more on the younger grades than what is happening with the seconds!
Finally I am a firm believer that young players with genuine/special ability should have the least exposure as possible to Reserve Grade as there are so many bad habits in the grade. I make the point that Mahoney, Brown and Penisini all came virtually straight into first grade, I applaud that but you have to be careful that the special ability that was apparent with them is properly recognised before making such a decision.
Further to my comments on this subject is it possible that we should/could recruit 3/4 players with first grade experience that are not contacted to play NRL (say paid by the leagues club) but form a base of experience that can give the reserve grade side a semblance of experience as a core unit and that young development players then come through this level and can quickly step into FG rather than being in a shuffled side as it now seems to be.
Jordan Rankin was a single example of this type of player but maybe we need a few more.
A “rich” club like Parra should be able to afford this?
Fair point but by the roster and ko cup predictions 10 out of the 17 have played nrl and that wont change because of promotion and demotion , would agree though key halves and experienced leader helps .
Poppa, they can’t be paid by the Leagues Club. What you are describing are train and trial players. They receive money to train full time and play reserve grade. Brendan Hands and Luca Moretti were on such deals last season. Dan Keir is still on such a deal as is Lumelume. There are others who train outside of the full time squad who are contracted to the club.
Have we got the balance correct in the NSW Cup side this year? We will see. But I’d like a bit more depth in the backs.
Poppa, whenever I write a report I’m hoping that people don’t read too much into certain aspects. So when you have a session like this, and the coaches provide an extended period of possession to the NRL team, they are going to score tries.
During this preseason, the NSW Cup side has provided excellent opposition. And it’s also been a great learning experience for them. Furthermore, the coaches also have drills running NRL right side vs left side. So there is no demoralisation. Far from it.
The younger players have been totally embraced by the experienced players. The vibe is terrific.
Quality opposed sessions are essential to the season. This is already one of the best groups I’ve seen for that.
Thanks for answers 60’s. I didn’t understand the trial and play process, so who actually pays them for the training process, is that the football club? and does that impact on the salary cap….sounds a bit like a pea and thimble trick.
At what stage are they eligible to play NRL as Hands and Moretti both played last year…..I assume that a top 30 spot has to become available for what ever reason.
Finally with the quality of the opposed sessions I accept your points, just can imagine some may accept it an even like it, human nature always has dissension, even if not shown…..so I thought my question was justifiable in terms of us not knowing and you witnessing same.
I always like your commentary on the training side of things as being Qld based, its as close as we get to understanding the players and what happens. I note you see some secrecy in the process which is great but do we actually look at opposition training sessions with a review of what they are doing?
My guess is that the match video watching is going to tell you most things and I would have to say I have never seen specific match day moves that actually surprise too many and I have been watching the game over 7 decades and always as a Parra supporter.I can remember some of the old programmes with the Reserve Grade side littered with former stars….Arthur Beetson comes to mind alomg with some of our greats.
Poppa, like the similarity between attacking plays and defensive systems and techniques used by teams in NRL matches, there is a similarity in training methods. But unlike game plays which come under scrutiny for points of difference, NRL clubs will guard anything that they do that is unique. And if they are doing something different in their conditioning, their preparation, their systems, their set plays, the one thing that I won’t do is to describe it in detail. So I don’t add detail about how far they run in conditioning work, how many metres are involved in sprints or how many sets of runs they do, what is different about any defensive systems, any new plays they are working on and who are the key players in them. So, I have to fend off questions about what exactly they are doing differently, but that comes with the territory.
As for your question about who can play and when, players outside the top 30 and dev list, have to wait till after round ten. Clubs can apply for dispensation to use them earlier if they are hit by injury and have no player available in a specific position (eg dummy half). The club pays any player contracted to them. There are limits and rules around such payments that clubs have to abide by, but those players won’t earn what an NRL contracted player will receive.
Where is blaze training in nsw cup mate. Cheers
He’s covering a few positions. I think they’re still deciding where he will be best suited.
Is Moretti playing with the NRL side or NSW cup when they line up?
Hindy, with the big guns back he’s lined up in Cup. But he’s definitely in the mix. A few of them are.
Thanks. I rate him.
Also a big year for Matalele and Doorey. If neither kick on I can see them falling out of the system. Mataele is a bit of a dissapointment thus far. I expected a bign2023 from him.
Mataele has moved from back row to prop. That’s probably a good fit based on the end of last season and his form at prop in Flegg. Doorey has benefitted from his second preseason at Parra.
We haven’t seen him week in week out, but you just get the feeling Moretti’s energy on each side of the ball is screaming out for NRL game time. A bit of mobility and grunt wouldn’t hurt our engine room.He hurts people with and without the pill. Nathan Brown 5 years back with a few more kgs.
He’s competing with confidence BDon.
Anyone know if Lebron is still with the club. Other than Lenaz, Parry and Davies has anyone else from the sg ball and flegg side?
Davies left for the knights
Lebron is still with the club. Said g’day to him at Flegg training today.
W Latu, N Reed and M Tupou?
I believe Reed has moved on.
Latu and tupou Flegg or level below cup
Flegg – it is the level below Cup though it is age based. If players are over 21 but still used by the club but are regularly below Cup, they will play Ron Massey Cup, often for Wenty.
Yep thank you. I thought both those boys were above flegg but happy they rnt.
It is great to hear about Dunster getting back to full confidence and hopefully eventually adding pressure to Russell to perform well consistently to keep his spot. You could see in late 2023 he started to get back to his old self in how he played.
Best part of his game was his leg strength in post contact metres, hopefully he starts getting back to that as a metre eater Winger. The more talent and selection headaches the better.
We need him in the depth charts and as a selection option, absolutely
Thanks Sixties,
Both Haze and Sean are big boddies. If they get their pace back into their legs. They could be damaging coming back out of our red zone. Hopefully, when Sivo moves on/retires we’ll have Haze and Sean on the wings racking up 20+ carries, 200m+ per game. Both these guys deserve the football gods to smile on them long term.
You’re right about the footy gods. Those two have had more than their share of setbacks in a short career thus far.
Thanks mate for the read
Good to see abt Junior and Woody. If we can get good consistency out of both and Reg we will do ok there.
Key is depth as mentioned and more so if we acquire more injuries.
As stated by many our spine is key again and confidence and consistency too.
As I’ve continually said better discipline and less injuries will help immensely.
It’s also not been mentioned as much but it’s also Barrett’s second yr with us so i hope we’ve learned more again as BA has done too abt things from last yr.
Players have worked with Barrett now for two off seasons along with the key pets of the spine…defensively we have to be smarter and ruthless
Excellent point about Baz Milo. He’s going to know more about the players, and what he’s looking for in terms of individuals and combinations in attack.
Agree with both on Barrett. While it did not happen too often last year, given they only played 7 times together, it appeared that MM and DB spent more time combing on the same side of the field.
I am sure that is down to Barrett’s influence. I like to see our best players playing off one another.
I believe it’s to our advantage any time our halves link as they are arguably the fastest halves pairing in the NRL.