The NRLW preseason is around the halfway point, which is the ideal time for me to visit team training at Eric Tweedale Stadium.
A longer preseason for all teams is a feature of the expanded NRLW premiership, giving teams the opportunity to build combinations in preparation for the round one fixtures which kick off on July 25.
The Eels squad has already participated in a preseason camp at Wiseman’s Ferry in mid June, mirroring the type of prep that many NRL squads experience.
Rueben Cherrington at the camp
Another significant component of the 2024 season is the scheduling of the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership (HNWP). This competition will function as a legitimate reserve grade competition for the NRLW, running concurrently from round 4 onwards, which is the weekend that the NRLW begins.
For Sydney based NRLW teams, including Newcastle, there will now be an avenue for their full squad to get game time every week. In past seasons, any player not required for NRLW playing duties simply sat on the sidelines.
The inaugural Eels HNWP team kicks off their campaign this Saturday against Manly at 4 Pines Park. They come into the season opener on the back of a 16 – 8 trial victory against the Sharks last Monday
Celebrating the trial win
I timed my visit to Eels NRLW training to coincide with a triple team opposed session, involving the two Eels squads and the Wenty Magpies HNWP squad.
Session Structure
This wasn’t dissimilar to an NRL preseason session when the focus is on the opposed work.
There were the typical footy warm ups, and lighter level conditioning, whilst skills and shapes were run through.
Steve Georgallis
Around 20 to 25 minutes of opposed work followed between the Eels NRLW and the Wenty HNWP, with similar minutes between Eels HNWP and Wenty after that.
It wasn’t played as a continuous game, but instead featured extended periods of attack or defence as determined by Eels Head Coach, Steve Georgallis.
Sets began from kick offs or other contrived restarts or field positions.
Observations
* Although this was simply an opposed session, the NRLW side looked to be fast around the ruck and decisive in their shifts.
* Plenty of talk in defence, with reminders about defensive goals
* After missing virtually all of 2023, Elsie Albert looks to be in great shape and performed accordingly
* Heavy involvement from Abbi Church
Cassey Tohi-Hiku
* Cassey Tohi-Hiku is set to move closer to the play with a shift into the halves
* Without getting any specifics from staff, my observation is that the group looks fitter in 2024
* Quite a number of familiar faces from the Eels 2023 and 2024 Tarsha Gale teams are in the Eels HNWP squad.
* The Wenty HNWP team play an entertaining brand of football and provided valuable opposition for the session.
Many familiar pathway names in the HNWP squad list
Final Comments
From the time that I first started covering Women’s rugby league, it’s been abundantly evident that these players have a passion for the game, and thoroughly enjoy being involved at an elite level.
This training session was no different. The smiles, laughter and camaraderie were all on display.
At the end of each of the opposed hit outs, the competing players came together for group photos.
Good luck to the Eels HNWP team in their first game this coming weekend.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Credit to Eels media for the images used.
