It’s now close to the point when the training reports become difficult to produce. Whenever the Eels are preparing for a specific opponent, there are more aspects to the sessions that I cannot share.
This week the Eels are preparing for Saturday’s trial match against the Raiders. In the Monday session, the NRL players who won’t participate in the trial were split from the group for some of the work.
Edit – with the trial team now announced, it’s obvious that those players were the spine (Moses, Brown, Lussick and Gutherson), the middles (Paulo, RCG and Ofahengaue), edge forward Bryce Cartwright, plus the outside backs (Sivo and Penisini). Reminder, J’Maine Hopgood is playing in the All Stars match.
It’s not my place to share who those players were. That will be seen soon enough when the extended team is announced (perhaps not long after this report is published).
I won’t name players in this report, but there’s one thing that’s normally true of trials. Teams won’t show too much of their hand before the season starts.
The middles getting through their work
Expect the basic systems to be in place in addition to standard shapes. If there are any new special plays that teams have been working on, they may not see the light of day this weekend.
The other aspect is that trials featuring mostly NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg players are probably only indicative of depth, or at most, the potential of a rising player.
Coaches and supporters want the trial performance to be worthwhile, after all depth is important to the season, and most of the players have been involved in the preseason. That needs to show for something.
However, some of the combinations on display may not have had much time together during the pre-season. For example, there might be an NRL player alongside a NSW Cup or Jersey Flegg player. So take trials as you will.
Of course, we all want the Eels to win every match regardless, and it will be interesting to watch some of the pathways players get their opportunity in the spotlight.
Back to Monday’s training. Early on, that segregated NRL group were involved in power running. Later on they were doing skills work. In between, they rejoined the entire group for systems work.
Given the size of the pre-season squad, there were enough trial team players in this training session to fill close to two teams. As far as Saturday is concerned, this will give the coaches, as well as Eels fans, the opportunity to watch and assess the performances of a large number of players competing for places in both the NRL and NSW Cup sides.
At the start of this session, those players were working through unopposed sets. They practised attacking shapes alongside some team mates whom they may have spent less time combining with during the pre-season.
All players then came back together for skills and systems drills.
For the middles, this meant ruck defence staged at different parts of the field. This was followed by attacking shapes.
The backs and edges together
Simultaneously, the back rowers and backs drilled right side and left side plays. They then worked on their kicking and catching skills. This also included adding pressure on the catcher.
The main part of the session wrapped up with light opposed work. It wasn’t full field, but rather left side vs right side attack and defence.
Extras seemed to last a bit longer today, and given the organisation that seemed to be involved, I’m not sure if I should call it extras or include it in the main session.
It was probably “extras” because of the number of smaller groups involved. The work covered skills such as footwork, kick offs, passing, tackling technique, and chasing and catching high kicks in attack.
With Friday being a captain’s run, it will be interesting to see what Wednesday has in store.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Does Hands playing in the trial and Lussick not getting a go at all mean anything? Probably not
Looks to me the confirmed starters are all sitting out this week, apart from Lane. We have a fairly strong “B Team” when you look at it this way
I think you can add Matto and Tuilagi as confirmed interchange players.
I understand this, which is why I said confirmed starters. Anyway, I am looking forward to watching this game if possible. It looks like Ricky and Brad have set the same strategy for the game – making it a competitive shoot-out for some key positions in the team and giving some of those on the edge of selection a good chance to impress.
I tipped Hands for an interchange role this year given his versatility. He can cover the halves, dummy half or lock. BA has indicated he won’t go with two dummy halves but I’m not sure that rules out Hands if Lussick starts. I think it would rule out Lussick if Hands gets the starting number 9 jersey.
Hey 60’s, it’s me slip. Check out my site https://rugbyleaguehistorian.boards.net/
Cheers Slip
Many thanks for your well informed description of training and matches…our knowledge and support would not be the same without it and it certainly helps to feel “part of the team” and makes it more a family! Keep up the good work!
Thanks John. The preseason reports are coming to an end with prep for round one approaching. Thanks for your support.
I will enjoy the trial with the listed lineup. I feel a sense of excitement seeing all these new faces getting a run.
I don’t feel that there will be too many surprises for TLT come Rd 1 against the Dogs. Apart from the obvious uncertainty at 9 and Centre the biggest mystery for that game will be the bench.
I reckon we can lock on three bench players with the fourth being that decision about what positions to cover.
Mr Sixties, considering the coronial inquiry with Titmuss what measures do the training staff take to ensure players are not overcome from heat stroke? At times the temperature with humidity can be quite excessive and energy sapping. Is there a temperature limit that defines the intensity of training?
I’m not aware of any limit with that. But hydration and breaks seem to be important.
What does Hands need to do? Did unreal for us last year and Lussick did nothing. Should be rewarded IMO
Has he done anything wrong? No. He brings a different skill set to Lussick – greater versatility being a key. During the preseason he and Lussick have split the NRL time. The opportunity to impress has been there for both. The coaches will make a call about who best suits the team. I like what he could offer the bench – but maybe BA look for versatility from someone like Tuilagi or Carty.
I think Lusic is a better defender than Hands and really, that’s been our greatest weakness over the years
As noted Hands would make great bench utility due his ability to play half and lock.
Im also hoping he gets the nod as starter but feel like Lussick might be more of a BA style 9.
Woody, the thing is that with Matterson, we already have LOCK covered, and if the plan is for an 80-minute HOK, then that does not leave much space for Hands. If Matterson and Hopgood play decent minutes there and Lussick plays 80, where does Hands fit in?
Matto would provide much more impact at LOCK you would imagine
Speculator, I think what Woody is saying isn’t about whether someone else can cover lock. Matto of course can cover that, as he’s part of the middle rotation which includes prop. The point being if you have someone on the bench who can cover three or four positions, including lock, that there are coaches who would value that. If BA has no concerns about Lussick playing 80 minutes, or covering for the halves, then he’ll pick another middle.
Just depends where the injury occurs. Hands can cover a variety of positions and that 4th bench spot will be either a middle/edge or a utility mainly for injury cover.
Spot on Woody