Day two of preseason training fell on Melbourne Cup Day and though the players weren’t sent off on a two mile gallop, it would turn out to be a longer field session than day one.
There were no additions to yesterday’s group of players, with the same thirteen in attendance.
A player or two should arrive tomorrow, with quite a few first graders back on deck next Wednesday. Once the majority of the top 30 return, I expect the intensity of the sessions to increase.
Actually, the first couple of weeks allow the coaching staff to get to know the pathways players. As mentioned yesterday, Nathan Brown would have the best handle on the talent given his previous role, but these early days of the preseason give the other coaches an opportunity to catch up on where the young players are at.
Today’s focus was once again on skills, and each of the coaches had drills which they led.
The players getting ready for a drill
Different types of passing drills featured throughout the morning, in various sized grids, and quick hands were on show. Most of this work was opposed so defensive decision making was also important.
Defence drills included Ryles taking the group through his expectations regarding movement of defenders off the tackled player.
Towards the end of the session, Nathan Brown ran his charges through the essentials of dummy half passing and first receiver positioning. Communication was the key.
As for the players, there’s quite a good chemistry within the group. This is understandable as they are all connected in some way – mostly through playing together in Flegg at some point over the past couple of seasons.
The only player not connected through Eels pathways teams is Jordan Samrani but he appears to be at home already. Speaking of him, he’s a unit. If he looks big in the photos it’s because he is.
Scott Wisemantel
As an aside, one of my favourite moments today was when attack coach Scott Wisemantel introduced the squad to the term “equidistant”. I’m waiting for the day when I hear this word used in a post match interview.
Finally, over the last two days we’ve been welcomed back to training by both players and staff. Of course, my return is based on a contract with a lifetime option.
At the end of this morning’s session we were fortunate to be introduced to Jason Ryles. It was completely unexpected and I really appreciate the time he gave us today.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Sixties can you pls elaborate on your contract option? And was this meshed out with your manager? Option in your favour?
From the kids training do we expect many to stay training for the full pre season??
How does AMS and Rich Penisini look?
Milo, I do my own deals, not a fan of agents.
These players are on a range of contracts – NRL, Dev, Train and Trial, and then other contracts with preseason components. Not sure about which of those other contracts involve a full preseason or part thereof.
Looking at the junior squads that were released today, it seems that Jezaih is going straight to Flegg this season as he is not named. There is another Funa-Latu in the side which I assume is his brother
Coinakis and Talagi have been named which is a good sign they will be at the club for the 2025 season. However, will be interesting to see if a deal for 2026 and beyond will be completed.
Any update on Brazel?
Thanks for your work.
EA
EA, you should notice other siblings of players in the system too.
The club might have news on what’s happening with some of the pathways players very soon.
No update on Jock. If he doesn’t continue at Parra I hope he gets a contract elsewhere soon. I thought he had a very good 2024.
Yes I noticed an Alamadine and Tuivita in HM.
Thank you so much for these reports!
Have you heard anything about Lachlan Metcalfe wanting to return to the club? I have heard some rumours.
SB – he’s a talent but I’ve heard zero about it.
Josh ado car has been wearing the new parra eels logo on a cap in his construction work.
Looks like Ryles has taken the storms approach making players do labouring work.
Josh earring eels gear, spending time with Jason, it looks like he is coming to us you would think! P.s the new eels logo cap looks 👌 on him. Haha
sorry new parra hat* it looks like, not new logo on it. Looks like Ryles has him in boot camp
Let’s not get hyped about something that hasn’t happened as yet.
Did you see him wearing a parra hat? Maybe he has just become a parra fan. Lol
I’m so glad these reports are back! Loving the content.
Cheers West Coast
Can anyone please explain what’s going on between Clint Gutherson and The Dragons? Is their coach making offers the board won’t support? Is it my imagination or are The Dragons simply hopeless to deal with?
I don’t think anyone knows Noel.
There seems to be a difference between Eels and Broncos training. They appear to have almost their full squad on the training paddock already with a tough opening session whereas we have the ‘lesser’ players only with a light session.
Is Jpaps there and how big is he in size?
Btw thanks for these reports, always look forward to them over a slow offseason.
Glenn, the return date is determined by breaks mandated under the CBA. Can’t comment as to Broncos – it might be certain players. Pap was back on Wednesday – see report. He’s not tall, but he’s strong.
I hope the senior players start early and don’t take the full break. This will be an opportunity to show how much they’re intent on putting in.
Look forward to hearing more
Cheers
Pete, many of the players will be back next week. I don’t expect to see the Pacific Champs players any time soon. Two things – the CBA mandates the breaks. Secondly, we don’t want these players to go stale. They need the break.
Tks sixties, just sitting on the porch with a coffee looking at the garden, flowers , insects,…and TCT, thinking about where the Eels are headed. New coaching team,new signings(proven and unproven with good pedigree)…I’m thinking Rome wasn’t built in a day, but if we can suddenly learn how to defend when the ball is thrown wide, that will be a massive plus. Blake Ferguson was never known at the Chooks or Sharks to be a turnstile, but we tried our best to convert him, Penisini defended like Cronin(well sort of) in his first season but we gradually worked on his game, our scramble was down to Moses and Brown but opponents started nailing us from all points of the park, we always looked vulnerable in our own 20. If Ryles and team can fix this one thing, we’ll be top 8 for sure and with a couple more astute signings and depth we’ll be headed toward top 4 again.
Agreed. We have enough points in the team and our attack will be clunky until Iongi, Moses and brown learn to play with eachother. Gutho leaving means brown is being pushed to take more ownership and he is certainly capable.
While the attack will take time it’s imperative we develop defence resilience. If we can start year well defensively and get wins early (even if not pretty) it’ll give players a lot of confidence and help attack when it finally clicks.
BDon sounds like it’s hard going. I’m actually in my backyard looking out to sea with a cold one. Effort is what’s important to me. Look at Penrith, no matter how long any of their fellas are on the park they put in 100per cent effort. Good effort brings defence. I can’t forget Ray Stone picking up big Nelson and driving him side ways and backwards in a one on one. If Sam Moa can teach our forwards to hit hard like the Peter Johnson days we’ll set a new standard. I’m quietly optimistic as well. Time for another cold one.
Bdon you are spot on I agree fix the one thing and we are basically top 8. This is why I get annoyed with the club and fan’s previously blaming all of these other aspects. If the team can defend out wide and in their 20 we can beat any team. We can put points on Penrith, Melbourne, anyone, even with a squad loaded with reserve graders. We are a dangerous team to play against. One of the only teams who can turn up actually beat Melbourne storm and Penrith.
The 3 differences those teams have & we don’t but CAN focus on:
1). Those teams fitness and discipline in both preparation & effort consistency in efforts ON field. 99% of our roster has notoriously only showed up at 100% 1 out of 3 games for years – it’s obviously a culture and fitness thing.
2). Those teams whole strategy and game style of fitness and out working teams based on consistent efforts and fitness. They plan & approach the game as a full 80 minute match. We try to cut corners, or front load for the first 15 mins, then if we get ahead we coast. We rarely look the better team past 50 mins, complete 180 compared to the top teams.
3). Player body type and game playing style. The Front loading big forwards, and e.g the power backs like Will P, sivo, even Sean russel bulked up and is no longer considered fast & elusive as he once was. These guys all had a speed and fitness disadvantage compared to I reckon every team we faced. Obviously our defence systems you can see are behind, but the actual roster we have is defensively a liability. You get faster teams with fitter backs and they simply run around us sooo easily, it’s embarrassing.
Side note: Somebody who’s a former footballer told me it’s not parramattas outside backs who are solely to blame in defence, he was saying rewind and pay close attention in the middle when it happens. Usually our forwards are so tired they often can’t get back onside, or look totally gassed, then the backs compress inwards, then as soon as it happens teams then send a sweeping play out wide and our team can’t mobilise laterally fast enough to cover. Not to mention the extremely avg defensive reading on top of that rushing in on a centre 9/10 leading a huge gap for any team to score 2-3 tries a game against our wings per game.
Obviously we all saw this taking place, but his insights made me realise it at a deeper level why our team collapses out wide so easily as we get tired.
Anyway hopefully some younger & faster legs, new coaching ideas, change of season can help them finally resolve it. If we do, our teams easily top 8 (with my eyes goggles on).
BDon, if we can jag a decent dummy half and one or two flyers on our flanks, then I think optimism can turn into reality for us in 2025.
Bernie Gurr said during his awesome interview with TCT that attack is best form of defence, I’m Parra phrasing 😀 but that was the gist. It’s looking like Ryles is weaponising our team and he’s doing it fast.
The Panthers won’t be as potent without Lui and Fisher-Harris, the Chooks have written off 2025, the Dogs redlined all season, we know what happens to teams who overachieve the following season, Cherry Evans will be one year too old.
I can’t see any other team who have improved their roster enough to have a serious shake. So by my reckoning, it will a Parra V Melbourne grand final with Ryles to come back and bite the Storm where the sun don’t shine 😀😀😀 The script is written right?
Some will say, don’t get excited, don’t get ahead of ourselves blah blah, we’re Parra fans, some of us have had nearly 40 years to condition ourselves for disappointment, I couldn’t be anymore conditioned. I’m the fittest I’ve ever been.
Any price there was to pay for being optimistic has been paid, most of us are in credit. Go you might Eels!!
On ya Joseph!
I like it Joseph 👍
Great to see training is back.
Ryles is a big fan of Morretti as am I. Very interested in what he can do with the young forwards.
Has Ethyn Martin bulked up at all? I feel if he can get 7-8kgs on last years frame he would be a smokie.
I also am not against JAC signing.
Hindy111 – Martin looks like he’s added to his frame, but I don’t have anything official on that nor have I asked him.