There’s already been some Eels media around this, but to clarify, Eels players are working out in the community for the first three days of this week. And just like clockwork, the weather ramps up to summer level with the mercury soaring into the 30s!
The squad has been split into small groups and they are rotating to a different role and location each day.
Most of the work is some sort of manual labour, and Eels media has already posted about Will Penisini, Brendan Hands, Luca Moretti and Toni Mataele pitching in with Nathan’s Lawns.
The fellas met community members whilst working with Nathan’s Lawns (image credit Nathan’s Lawns and Eels media)
You might have also seen the likes of Ryan Matterson, Haze Dunster and Richie Penisini labouring in the grounds of Parramatta Park.
I’m expecting to see reports about players helping out on building sites or food banks as they spend time connecting with people who live and work in western Sydney.
What does this mean as far as training is concerned?
Well, it’s a bit like the old days. They have to fit their preseason around it. The gym work happens early morning, whilst the field session is scheduled for later in the day.
And so to Monday’s session. Thankfully the “Kellyville Doctor” blew in across the fields to cool down conditions for training. (Credit to Scott Wisemantel for providing that topical cricket reference for me.)
Early on it was all about footwork and to my eye it related to defence line movement – moving together, and rapid footwork as they reached designated points.
Then the learning sequence that I’ve written about before kicked in. This time in attack.
Beginning with drills of players beating an opponent one in one, they transitioned through to two vs two, then three on two, six on four, and nine against nine.
Along the way, it was varied by working through drills completely or partially opposed, before applying the skills to different opposed scenarios.
Players also rotated into different roles so that they were all up-skilling, and the space that they were working in was also mixed, thereby changing the game simulation.
I reckon I’m starting to see some of the shapes they might apply in matches (though that sort of detail will never be included in reports)
Working on their attack
Logistically, the nine a side drills allowed them to constantly roll through sustained periods of play. With the squad divided into three teams, as one team (red bibs) rolled down field in attack against green bibs team, red would then transition into a defence role as blue team took their turn in attack.
Eventually the play became what I’d rate as 50% match level contact with proper play the balls at match level ruck speed.
This then saw the session turn to defence for approximately the final 30 to 40 minutes of the evening.
Beginning with single defender technique, the drills became two in the tackle and locking up the ball and then into winning dominance and getting into the marker position.
On the very rare occasion an offload would be made, proving that the players being tackled were making it a contest.
There was plenty of talk as the coaches looked to get communication and timing correct. The attention to detail across a multitude of drills was next level.
Extras then wrapped up what was an extended day for all of the players.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Is there any news on what Ron Volkmann is going to do? I take it that the Newcastle hooker is staying put.
I haven’t heard anything on Volkman Noel.
Cheers for training, updates sixties, has jock brazel.left the club do you no ,
Will be playing NSW Cup.
Are you surprised he is not on a dev deal at least if he is going to be in cup. He ended the year very well.
and even be a part of the clubs pre-season. Or you saying he is playing nsw cup for another team?
I’m saying that Jock is training with our NSW Cup team. I thought he had a strong and consistent 2024 season.
Getting the boys involved in working bees is a reality check from life’s perspective. If it gives them particularly, the younger ones, a view of life without football. Too many young ones take their natural abilities for granted and blow it over something regrettable. Mentoring will help but only if they apply it. They need to understand balance and discernment concerning what they can do and can’t. Parra doesn’t seem to have a big problem with this, but we are reminded of Dyl Brown and the excessive consumption of alcohol. Let them keep at it.
Mr Sixties any standout at training or is too early. I am thinking of the younger ones who are really hungry for success. The training paddock is the starting point and early persistent efforts will not be overlooked. Again we remember Dyl Brown in his first year of nrl threw himself in to training and was a standout.
Let us know when Mark Gasnier turns up at training – he was very good in his day.
Zero, there would be a number of goals for this work. Making connection with the community is one. A level of reality check or just a straight experience of the average work life for athletes who have only really known an athletes life. Mind you, some of the players have known what it’s like to take on work – eg Jake Tago joined the Eels as a part time player.
It’s too early to identify stand outs. What I will say is that the younger players seem to be holding their own.
Yeah good work by the club or Ryles, and this is good. I just hope that it becomes a regular for all of them and maybe a day a week for a month going forward is a norm.
It is great for them to get some real perspective, and hope it continues.
It will be beneficial for the club connections to the community and beneficial for them as individuals.
With Brisbane landing B Hunt we should have a look at Mozer
Can play, no doubt. I’m interested is seeing how Ryley Smith progresses. He’s had some very good moments this preseason, and was one of the Flegg’s best in 24.
I’m also hoping Ryley has a massive pre season and I think Hands has more to offer then we have seen yet, He is a smart guy.
At this stage, they are getting every opportunity to be successful.
Agreed. It was also interesting to hear Ryles mention him in his presser when questioned about the hooker position and getting more players.
Riley that is. I
Yeah, I reckon he’d be making an impression. Can play, has a great work ethic and is a quality person too.
Hey Sixties,
You’ve been watching Eels training for years now, is there anything different that Ryles is doing in defence than you have seen in the past?
In my opinion, there is too much talk about attack, i think we have enough points in us (especially if Moses stays fit all year) but our defence needs to improve dramatically
If we can defend as well as Canterbury did this year, we can go top 4 next year
My little birds tell me the pace of training is noticeably faster. And the lack of skills has also been noted by the coaching staff. I’ve also heard the squad looks motivated and happy. The vibe is possitive and the squad is humming.
That little bird is surely these training reports. Increased speed, skills drills with attention to detail and positive vibe have all been covered in detail.
You are only one of many of my little birds. Keep up the good work.
The work in defence is quite different, but it’s all been about technique, movement and execution thus far, rather than systems.
There is still plenty being done in attack too. I think you’ll see some differences there too.
Sixties before pre season even started the msg from Ryles & co sounded like an emphasis on fundamentals and skills development was going to be a focus. From an engineering standpoint the foundations of something must be fundamentally solid before instead of trying build a tower on quick sand metaphorically.
I heard from a former storm player that apparently at Melbourne they also build players technique wise and installs good habits first, then once the fitness & technical habits are established for new players they start to focus more on systems. If you have any bad habits in defence or with positioning in ore season Bellamy apparently goes off his head until you get every 1% detail right (I think cooper johns also mentioned this). You can’t progress until you can consistently master basics to A + standard.
It will be interesting to see if he shifts some of the focus areas at the end of the pre season starts to wrap up. He may also be waiting for Lomax & moses to return to completely introduce Some things so they are all on same page from day 1, especially is moses is going to be the captain who will be entrusted to execute Jason & co’s plans on the field.
As always thank you for the report and hard work. We all appreciate it.
Thank you Muz. Attention to detail is a feature of these early preseason sessions. I don’t see any Bellamy blow ups in any of the coaches. The messaging looks firm but calm.
That’s good it’s much calmer, I don’t think that approach would work for most coaches. Jason & co seems composed, I was secretly hoping baz would remain for 25’ so we could potentially see a replay of the slap saga replay in a eels media video at training considering brownie is here (lol)
Is any player a chance of missing round 1 due to injury?
I know Bailey said he is touch and go and may start in cup to ease himself back in.
Our NSW Cup team is very strong. If everyone is fit and not suspended, it will be hard for our youngsters to crack into it especially since some our still flegg eligible. Plus we still need to fill our top 30 out which will make it even harder to crack into the cup team. This is what I have right now:
1. AMS
2. Martyn
3. Tago
4. Russel
5. Dunster
6. Twiddle (I assume we will get a backup 5/8 and he will go back to flegg. I would keep Lynn in flegg too)
7. Hawkins
8. Grieg
9. Lussick
10. Parker
11. Doorey
12. Cartwright
13. Guymer
14. Smith
15. Mataele
16. Latu
17. Samarani
18. Brazel
19. Keir
Cannot even fit in Keir and Brazel ATM which is crazy to think. Will only get harder as I said to fit in with more signings incoming. Youngsters like Pryke, Tuivita, Alamadine, Penisni, Lokeni and more would be wanting a lot of cup time too.
I don’t think Keir will sit that low in the pecking order. Carty is a chance at an NRL bench slot. Russell will probably start the season in NRL due to the Foxx’s suspension.
Yea the forward pack is still up for grabs in nrl and cup. I was just putting a full strength team up rather than a rd 1 team list. This is how I would put my full strength NRL line up at this stage.
1. Iongi
2. JAC
3. Lomax
4. Penisni
5. Simmo
6. Brown
7. Moses
8. Lane
9. Hands
10. Joe O
11. Tuilagi
12. Williams
13. Hopgood
14. Papalii
15. Moretti
16. Paulo
17. Mato
Shaun Lane as prop in your side . Apparently he’s paid 600 thousand a season, he’s not worth 2 bob. You don’t win comps with that sort of effort player in your team.
I don’t understand what people see in lane. He’s been average for most his career (other than a half season surge in form in 2022). He has been putrid since then. He doesn’t have the intensity, agility or effort on effort to play to be a starting prop. He’ll be taking shortcuts and lying in the ruck instead of getting to marker from the first tackle. I hope we don’t see him in the first grade side let alone starting.
I would rather start Paulo for lane and drop Williams to bench (I see him as a middle) for carty. We can play Cartwright as edge backrower for one more year until a junior backrower like latu is ready to take over. We then have matto and Williams as bench punch while Paulo and ofa start.
I reckon Joe and Junior start. Lane would be looked at as a middle off the interchange. Just remember, if Ryles selects Lane he doesn’t have any previous ties. It would be because he thinks he can deliver.
Talking of young hookers parra have signed jack Hudson a hooker from Currumbin, only 19 and outstanding young prospect , Kenta park lad who is highly rated by Matt guyer
Yes, there’s been a bit of media around that.
Let’s hope Ryles picks his team on 80 minute effort and not the boys club system we’ve had the last few seasons. With the size of our junior area and where down the bottom of the league is disgraceful. We last won titles when an out standing group of juniors were given a shot. It seems obvious to me. Cut the deadwood and take a chance. Ryles might be the man.
Prometheus, all coaches develop preferred players – but let me clarify. They have players that they have faith and confidence in for executing the footy they want their team to play. When you think about it, the failure of those players to continue to deliver is commonly the reason for coaches losing their gigs. Was BA too loyal? In some instances, yes. He probably needed to be more ruthless in some selections. In my opinion, the time for Ryles to make some of his toughest calls was now, when he was analysing the players from the outside looking in. Now, it’s about making decisions on the players who can deliver the type of footy he wants to play.
Sixties a nice political summation. In essence your agreeing with what I said. If Ryles hasn’t figured out whose worth keeping and whose not then what’s the point of change. He needs to be hard and decisive otherwise old Parra fossils like me will drop off the twig clinging to 1986 as our last success.
Interesting about our coaches and where they were special at:
Hooker – Nathan Brown, Brett Hodgson
Middles – Jason Ryles, Sam Moa, Nathan Cayless
Outside Backs – Gasnier
Halves/Fullback Coach unless you count Rankin though I would not. Bring Sterlo or Johns back
Then you have Scott Wisemantel and the fitness guy.
I wonder do they have more insights for the positions they played for the current squad
YY – little typo with Josh Hodgson. Nathan Brown has been doing a lot of work with halves/first receiver plays, and Scott Wisemantel also has that backline expertise from both his playing days and his coaching career.
Whoops, I meant Josh.
Probably the broadest range of coaches we’ve ever had
Fair call, esp in terms of the NRL experience down through pathways. The 2022 NRL staffing was broad with both Ennis and Mary on board.
Thx for the fine report sixties.
Cheers