Welcome to the preseason Mitch Moses, Jack Williams and Apa Twidle. The addition of these three moves the squad closer to a full contingent with only Isaiah Iongi and Zac Lomax to present.
Before the run down of this week’s training, I have a message for anyone who attended the open training session at Fairfield Showground. What you witnessed on Saturday was a full session, and part of the preseason schedule.
How good was that defence component just before the event wrapped up! Some of those hits were really big, and with the drills set up right near the fence, the players thoroughly enjoyed putting on a show for the fans.
If you were there, I’d appreciate reading your opinion in the replies section.
Jack Williams
But that was last week. I’ve started this week by compiling the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday sessions into the single report.
Monday began with the forwards and backs separated for specific skills.
The forwards kicked off with marker and play the ball drills, then worked through to contact and achieving quick play the balls.
At the other end of the field, the backs worked on kicking and aerial skills. There were some spectacular efforts when high flying catches were taken AFL style.
The squad then came together for a period of strength conditioning. During this work, one of the group might have got a rude shock via the sting of a rubber band that was either released or snapped! Nothing serious, but there were a few laughs.
Next on the agenda was attack. Attention to detail continues to be the feature as players work on different lines that will challenge defences.
Contact in this drill
The ruck plays that followed demonstrated the pace that the coaches will want in establishing dominance through the middle. From there, contact defence was introduced, and I found it difficult to determine whether the primary focus was attack or defence – it was probably both.
Tuesday’s session commenced with ball skills before the group once more split into drills which were specifically for backs or forwards. The backs worked on their evasiveness whilst the forwards honed their shapes around the ruck and on an edge.
At one point, the outside backs worked on their combinations and interplay, transitioning from pairs to more expansive plays. Once more, I have to mention the energy levels of Josh Addo-Carr. The other players genuinely enjoy their involvement with him.
A little bit later the Foxx and Dylbags were doing some sprints and direction changes. I remember some recent criticism levelled at JAC about losing his pace. I saw no evidence of that during this work out.
The outside backs in a specific attacking drill, the rest of the squad in another drill (background)
There were two simultaneous games of eight vs eight footy played sideline to sideline for an extended period during this session. The play was non-stop, and the ball movement was relentless. No need for dedicated conditioning runs when games like these are taking place.
It was near impossible to keep track of one game or the other because there was always some type of action unfolding. That said, I can report that one of the tries posted did involve Mitch Moses streaking away with the afterburners flaring.
A short burst of Malcolms (up downs) preceded the squad donning footy jerseys for defence movement and technique. Keep in mind that field sessions are not the only times dedicated to defence. They also work on contact in the gym.
Wednesday was a lighter session and all about skills. At one point it was like watching an extended period of extras with groups of players working with staff on something specific.
For example, the outside backs spent time with Jason Ryles on their defensive positioning, foot movement, communication and combinations. Though not exactly like a dance routine, there was a touch of choreography about the footwork and synchronicity.
And so we now gear up for a bigger day on Thursday.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Thx for the report. Always enjoyed reading these reports.
I was at Fairfield Sixties.. I would have bought you a coffee if we’d met up. Was right near the fence. That last hit when the whole squad gathered around Penisini & Matterson was absolutely brutal. It’s the first session I’ve witnessed.
Hopefully they’ll do another session at Fairfield Showground.
Also saw that Addo-Carr was very polite when talking to the fans. He was very accommodating and was grateful to hear when one family mentioned they travelled a couple of hrs to be there.
Good call Chiefy, from memory Sixties enjoys a coke zero or the like.
Thanks mate. I was at the opposite corner, but I could hear the commotion around that last contest. The session was a great representation of some of what they’re working on as well as the energy.
If Mitch has returned, any reason Zac wouldn’t be attending given they both finished the Pacific challenge at the same time?
I was thinking the same thing. Not a good sign two new signing haven’t started pre season yet. I understand technically they are entitled to a certain amount of time off but we see new signing from other clubs getting stuck into pre season early.
There may be many variables involved iron Mike, from taking planned vacations to managing small injuries. Ryles knows what he’s doing . I’d say that as a future captain, Moses probably insisted that he should be there earlier.
Don’t underestimate the fatigue that Zac Lomax will be feeling. This is his first season of rep footy. His season is normally done by early September, this year it went till early November. Throw in Origin as well, he would’ve been buggered by the end of the season. And he has to move house presumably as well. I would rather him take the full 10 weeks and come back fresh rather than come back early just to please the fans.
Moses decided to come back early was my understanding but maybe Forty or Sixties know better
I’m particularly disappointed that Iongi hasn’t returned. He didn’t even play in the PC…
Bit of a red flag. Shows where his priorities are
He had like no time off. Give the kid a break. He trained full-time up until the GF in October and then trained full-time with Tonga for 3-4 weeks.
I imagine his priorty is to rest his mind and body up for his biggest pre-season yet. Having no break is a recipe for mental and physical burnout.
Most teams train full time until Oct and a lot of young aspiring players who did play in the PC as well returned early to give them the best chance to succeed in their careers.
He is entitled to a break but given his last game was week 2 of the nsw cup finals you would have thought someone who really wanted to seize their opportunity would be back already instead of leaving a few precious weeks of pre season on the table.
Don’t underestimate the fatigue that Zac Lomax will be feeling. This is his first season of rep footy. His season is normally done by early September, this year it went till early November. Throw in Origin as well, he would’ve been buggered by the end of the season. And he has to move house presumably as well. I would rather him take the full 10 weeks and come back fresh rather than come back early just to please the fans.
Ditto Brett. I’m sure Ryles will be right on top of key players’ programs.
Besides which the time off in the off season is written into the agreement between the RLPA and the NRL.
Ridiculous statement, it shows nothing about priorities, other than yours are so out!
There could be a myriad of reasons, but you take the negative!
I am sure the people that count, have a full understanding of where he is and why!
Mitch didn’t play a whole lot of footy last year.
Dave, Iron Mike, anyone else with a similar question. There are tricky protocols around return to training dates. And if players take their break, especially after an extended season, I’d rather they start their next campaign after completely re-charging. Rather than consider the negatives, recognise that Moses feels so ready that he want to start early..
Mitch has come back really early. Mitch, Zac & Iongi weren’t due back till Bee Year if my maths is correct.
When is Bee year brett? Is that a knew thing. I know they are training with different spotted jerseys, but I haven’t seen any bee jumpers
I am sure Iongi will be there when he is meant to and for all we know there may be something else here; it will be fine.
It sounds very good that the players are working closely on their defence….this is key for me; once we nail this area it will improve the team overall.
Our defence and commitment at times last season was seen as either attitude and or training issues, and there were games where we seemed to lack some commitment / communication in key areas.
Milo, there is plenty of work going into fine tuning both technique and movement of the line. No shortage of time spent on it.
We hear that every preseason though sixties.
I’m not having a go here but I agree with previous posts, we battled to dodge the spoon this year. We have new players. The average worker gets 4 weeks per year annual leave. These guys are supposedly professionals and don’t work normal jobs, just train and play. They are very lucky to have the career and opportunities. The full squad should be back training by now surely, especially players who are reported to be a starting player, has played 4 NRL games and has never played a game for the Eels.
Pretty sure I’m not the only supporter thinking this.
Mr Sixties, that’s interesting that JACand Dylbags were doing some sprints together. I always thought Dylan was the fastest back in the club, but last year he seemed to have lost some of his speed. Against Manly, the first game, Turbo ran away from him in scoring. Sprints and direction changes would suggest his knee is a lot better – yes? My real interest is how did he fare running alongside JAC – was there a discernible difference or was it close?
It’s actually part of his work in rehab. They weren’t competing against each other, but as I said Foxx looked very fast.
Cheers for updates sixties ,sounds like the fox brings good enthusiasm to the club,
He’s something else Ken. There’s a great mix of guidance for the young players and enjoyment about what they’re doing.
Cheers for the consistent content Sixties, are there any notable key differences between Ryles and BA’s approach to the preseason that you’ve noticed?
Mars, everybody is aware that I have always been a huge fan of BA. This season, apart from Nathan Cayless, it’s a new coaching staff, and a new head of athletic performance. If it wasn’t vastly different you’d wonder why. So quite simply, it’s vastly different.
Watching the short clip of training the club put on social media last night. I couldn’t help but re-watch the small part that Joash Papali’i had. Not only the movement of his feet but he was able to fend off with one arm and then in seemingly a single step shift the ball and fend the other way. That takes a lot of skill and dexterity. I know a lot of people are claiming he could play as a utility off the bench, which he probably could, but given Addo-Carr will be missing 2-3 games I can’t help but wonder how he’d go in the outside backs. Some outside backs have shown you don’t need to be massive to make metres on 1st and 2 tackle, you can go a long way with the right attitude and late footwork.
He is really skillful. Has some great subtle ball playing skills.
I am finding it hard to think about him as a Hooker!
Could definitely be a backup 5/8.
Great read and thanks again for providing these reports, I always enjoy reading the latest training updates.
Hi all
I am wondering if anyone knows the ins and outs of train and trial contracts like the one that Volkman and presumably Ryey Smith is on…
I recall that it used to be that they could not play in First Grade until R11 unless the NRL provided an exemption. Then after R11 it was anything goes?
I did remember something about the R11 thing changing and a exemption was not needed right from the start of R1?
Does this mean that conceivable Volkman and Ryley Smith could get some action early in the season without a lot of injury problems if necessary
PS from my understanding the Eels train & trial contracts for 2025 are
Ethyn Martin,
Ryley Smith,
Apa Twidle,
Dom Farrugia,
Josh Lynn,
Will Latu,
Jezaiah Funa-Iuta,
Brock Parker
Ronald Volkman
PS Morgan Harper (Lionel Rtchie himself) got a train and trial deal with the Melbourne Storm. He is now gonna become a superstar