I’ll make this guarantee about Josh Addo-Carr – you’ll always know when he’s out on the field!
The work started early on Tuesday morning and the Foxx provided the big energy in the skill drills. It would be no surprise to anyone that he was very vocal, bringing the talk as he pumped up the group.
It was a quick turn around to go from signing to training, so it was no surprise that JAC then watched the majority of the session. Mind you, I could still hear his voice from time to time, with the new Eels recruit sounding like he was enjoying Day One as an Eel.
Josh Addo-Carr
Many of you will probably want to express your opinion on his recruitment. It will be a major talking point in our next podcast which we will record tomorrow.
Putting Addo-Carr’s arrival to one side, there’s still a matter of reporting the last two days of training.
Monday began with the group split into forwards and backs. As the forwards worked through getting the bumpers up in collision, the backs undertook a kicking and catching drill.
During the morning, all of the squad also worked on a speed and agility drill with athletic performance staff member, Jack McLean.
Unstructured play from tap-backs, and catch and pass work followed before we saw two different attacking drills. Attacking either the left or right side of the field, it looked as though they were practising some basic shapes.
Getting a roll on in attack
The squad then remained in two groups, one working on rolling through the middle, simulating a set being run against an opponent that was on the back foot defensively, the other group seemed to be developing the decision making of the first receiver and the lines being offered around them. After a period of time the groups swapped over.
Forced to describe this in three words, I’d select “pace, power, support”.
As per every session thus far, time was dedicated to defence and this saw them practise movement off the tackled player and getting the markers and A and B defenders into position. Please note, there are also sessions in the gym dedicated to defence.
Opposed grid work was next on the agenda before the playing area was expanded to half field with the side in possession having a numbers advantage but needing to score in two tackles.
There was space to explore in attack, with literally every player getting an opportunity to contribute in attack. I’ll give a shout out to Jordan Samrani, Dom Farrugia and Ryley Smith as each of them had a starring moment against players from the top 30.
As mentioned Tuesday kicked off extra early, and there were drills aplenty till late morning.
Set after set of defence line movements at pace continued what is an obvious focus area, before an attacking drill had the players practising either running support lines or taking the role of making the pass decisions. The roles were mixed up ensuring that each of the players had their turn passing the ball, receiving the ball or running a decoy line.
Once again the squad split into two half field games. One was played sideline to sideline, the other attacking the try line using the full width of the field.
The games were at pace, pushing the players to taxing effort on effort stuff. At one point I saw Junior put into space down the wing. Make no mistake, the big forward can still move! More passing drills followed, this time at close quarters, before the session finished with some intensive defence technique.
Setting up for defence drills
It began with the players partnering up and looking to win dominance in an upright tackle. The partners were swapped ensuring that there was variety in the size and strength of the opponent.
After that, specific one man tackle technique was drilled, first of all using bump pads, before they commenced full contact. It was serious business as I could hear some of the collisions from a distance.
Finally, the players paired up again to execute a sequence of dominant tackles, with each tackle completion requiring them to get up and into the marker position.
Tuesday done!
I’ve been receiving numerous questions asking me to clarify who is currently in this training squad. I’ll address that in my next report.
Eels forever!
Sixties
The signing of Josh Ado-Carr for a year with an option the club’s way at the sort of money being rumoured is a triumph. People criticising the signing are just being silly. I think that leaves us with three or four spots in the top 30. Room still to strengthen the squad further.
Any sign of Nathan Cayless?
I reckon we’re still short of a few forwards, maybe hooker, edge and middle. We’ll see what transpires, but the backs look sorted. It would be great to see a few more young players come through the grade this season.
Longfin, I think we are reasonably well served for forwards. If you check my post on the roster you’ll see where the balance sits. Maybe a middle at most. They could possibly look at one or two for the spine. Plus an experienced outside back.
Yes Noel, Caylo is there, back in his coaching role.
Im interested to know if new signing joash papali will be transitioned into a 14 learn the bench hooker role as an x factor player and can fill in other positions do you think this is on ryles plan to have a bench utility not just a 2 hooker 14 like hands / lussick
I’d be surprised if he signed with eels without being considered for either fullback or 14.
I read an article about Joash, and it said that he can play hooker. Something to look out for. Very interesting to see what happens
Well if he can play hooker his a perfect 14 with x factor i guess he.migght play wing for ado car until.his suspensions up then maybe 14 when the fox is back lets hope we siggn brailey and find out
He’s a fullback bro he ain’t no hooker
I see the potential as a 14, definitely.
After seeing the JAC mic’d up vid I could see he was the experienced voice we needed at the back with Gutho gone.
Absolutely!
As Roy Masters once wrote, redemption is a constant and recurring theme in Rugby League, often supplying a fortifying dose of motivation. Addo-Carr has paid for his action, he got sacked. It cost him. I hope he moves on and redeems himself at the Eels. He certainly is supremely talented
There is mostly upside to his acquisition, no doubt.
Nice work again Sixties, very happy with the one year deal and an option in our favour in 2026. The club is finally learning.
I’m very excited to see JAC in our colours, just that one signing completely changes the dynamic of the team, on paper, we look potent with more than enough strike to match the best teams. Let’s see Canberra run around us in 2025, that game still haunts me the most, I don’t know why when I consider the many games in 2024 that went south in a big way.
Like Longfin said, another solid middle and an accomplished rake should just about complete our freshen up.
Joseph, what I’m looking forward to is seeing the team commence full opposed at training with the full backline in action.
You must have the same nightmare reel as me. Savage and Timiku probably had their Managers demanding contract upgrades after that game.
Ironically, we originally got nailed like amateurs inside our own 20, then the Storm put one on us from their 20 about 4/5 years back..it was Josh A-C who ran around Fergo (screaming to the inside for help) and ran 80.
Thanks 60s for the update. JAC will do wonders for the energy of the side. I like the fact there are new voices from the coaches to the players. Two questions. First, it seems we are doing a lot of footy conditioning rather than old school (flog the players) style conditioning. It is Probably too early to compare but it would be interesting if you could report on the difference after Christmas.
Second, are you able to share when will and dyl are aiming to join the main group training?
Ron, it is very footy specific conditioning, so based around what they are required to do in games. I’d expect that to continue to build.
As for Will and Dyl, I don’t have dates and if I did it might be the sort of thing that the club would prefer to give details on. What I can say is that the structure of the training allows those in rehab to join particular skills work.
I hope we are still looking at a backup 5/8. We still need a quality one especially with Dylans ACL. Not a fan of a Moses/Hawkins halves pairing.
There are still four spots to fill, two of which have to be filled before round one.
Definitely a good signing wings are biggest weakness and problem area as leaked tries for years
We probably still need another senior or experienced back who can cover wing and defence is strong plus can cover fullback properly if needed.
Regardless, this is definitely heading in the right direction. We can no longer be embarrassed by teams simply running around us so easily (like Canberra). Speed will make a huge difference to our team.
Don’t stop now.. keep adding them Ryles!!
It’s no coincidence most tries scored against us are out wide and we’ve consistently have nsw cup or avg level wings and outside backs defending out there. Different coaching will improve it, but player QUALITY & speed will alone solve part of it.
Muz, they are spending a lot of time on aspects to the defence that they want to improve.
That’s really great to hear. I have no doubt young Sean russel, R Penisini, Ams, papali’i will hopefully continue to build and solid depth to those much needed wing depth options. When I have had doubts about our ability in those positions, it’s not an attack on the player’s potential or effort. They probably just all need more help out there technically, and for the team to get the overall defensive line spacing right which leads to less holes & space out wide that leads to easy tries on our flanks. From the sounds of your reports, it sounds like a lot of focus on spacing and markers getting back into position fast & correctly is happening from what you are reporting. 🙏