My last report detailed how Mitch Moses, Jack Williams and Apa Twidle had commenced their preseason.
Now I can report that not only has Ronald Volkman joined the club, he has immediately launched into his training comeback.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for the former Cabramatta junior as he looks to resurrect his career after the contract and injury controversies he faced in 2024.
Yes Ronald, it was a great session
He would have been impressed with the energy of the players around him. This group is thoroughly enjoying every session. Well if they’re not, they are all fine actors.
With the backs and forwards again separated at the start of the session, I thought I’d put the backs (and dummy halves) under the microscope.
It’s expected that every spine player, and every outside back, can kick. So for a short period of time, everyone in that group honed their kicking skills.
The kicking then became very specific, with the dummy halves practising their short range attacking kicks, whilst the halves hoisted a range of cross-field kicks. Assistant coach, Scott Wisemantel employs games or challenges as part of his drills. Players enjoy competing, and so the players finished off with a hit the post challenge. It was surprising (in a good way) how many did hit the mark.
Artie crosses the line after fielding a kick
Reflecting on this sequence of drills, I was impressed with the accuracy of the kicks, in addition to the timing of the chase by the centres and wingers.
Yet, it actually wasn’t the execution which was the main take away for me. It was the excitement and encouragement that the group had for each other every time they nailed the play. That, and hearing the leadership voice of Moses.
Whilst this was occurring the forwards were involved in contact drills – bouncing out of tackles, bumpers up etc.
Coming back together, it was time to run through some shapes in the lead up to games of touch.
Rapid fire, contact opposed through the middle followed. Getting players pushing up in support looks to be a key goal.
Driving through the ruck
At one point, Kelma Tuilagi produced a delightful offload that resulted in Arthur Miller-Stephen streaking away. Sam Moa was soon on the scene joining Artie to celebrate his try. It’s brilliant to see the coaches enjoy moments like that on the training paddock.
Towards the end of the session I finally witnessed the first 13 on 13 of the preseason as the squad split into teams to practise their kick chase.
It was no more than that, but it was encouraging to watch as the team’s kick chase was something that needed to improve. Prior to the downtown rule, Moses towering kicks and the Eels associated chase were key to our consistent finals appearances. The introduction of the rule changed that.
It all continues the fine tuning and attention to detail of this preseason.
Jason Ryles has repeatedly used the term “reset” rather than rebuild.
This squad needed to work on skills and execution to minimise some of the errors we saw in 2024 – how many 12 point turn arounds did we witness from errors in attack! Players had to improve their technique and line speed in defence.
Make no mistake. Addressing those aspects has been a key component to the pre-season thus far.
Eels forever!
Sixties
I’ve read that Volkmann is in the thirty and that he’s train and trial. Do we know which it is?
I’m thinking train and trial.
Did Volkman look ok considering he’s been out? Awesome he’s with us. Also Kelma Is going to be awesome in 25’ i believe. The big fellah just needs more time.
Volkman is a powerful build. Difficult to add anything more after just two sessions with so many players training out there.
Makes sense! Thanks. He looks a shorter type / low centre of gravity build. If his passing game is good both sides, I wonder if he could possibly play hooker as well as halves. He would have good long passing hands as a half to work with.
I was surprised that, apparently, he’s had to settle for a”train and trial” when I thought he would have been in high demand. He came through as an outstanding halves prospect, big enough to play in the centres with potential to fill in at one or nine. I guess club’s have been wary about his fitness. See how he goes and good luck to him.
A starting point Noel.
He was out for a while Noel and those injuries, maybe clubs skeptical. It’s a win for us regardless, maybe Jason told him if he comes & does well he will upgrade him. It’s a really really good deal on our behalf to nab him on a T & T only deal. He is better than say J Arthur, Ethan sanders (at this stage), probably better overall than Asi too. But he will need time to gain his form again likely. It’s truly a steal for us on a Train & trial.
Muz, it wouldn’t be out of the realms of possibility.
My prediction.. Dylan Brown will be a Rooster in 2026.
Volkmann is at least as talented as Brown and the club should do absolutely everything to keep him at the club to take over from Dylan.
A massive get from Ryles.. well done.
I assume this is sarcasm. Volkman is a reserve grader at best. He’s no first grade half.
But I agree about the threat from roosters. The longer we take to convince Moses and brown to take up their options the more likely it is roosters will steal one of them
Different sort of player to Dylbags, Very skillful . Came through in the covid years and then missed a season through injury.
Pretty confident he has FG potential but time will tell.
I think JPap is the real freak we need to watch as a possible Dylbags replacement. Bit of the Benji about him.
Thanks, Sixties. Love your reports. If there was a Premiership for the best club website, you guys must be clear winners.
Thanks McFersie. Appreciate the kind words. Next year will be our tenth season covering everything Parra, from Junior Reps and up. It’s been no small effort, and we believe what we do is unique, but it wouldn’t have been possible without our readers and listeners and our sponsors.
Well we all appreciate what you guys do. Sometimes we may disagree but I’ve all appreciate the platform and service you provide.
Cheers MB. It would be a dull world if we all agreed on everything
The pub, the coffee lounge, drive into the city, sleazy pool room, home 2.30/3 am…did a lot of Friday nights like that with football mates. Sixties, you probably did that routine or similar, but look at you now, responding to blogs at 3.23 am…
It’s indicative of when I do my writing BDon.
It’s not only Ronald Volkman that has arrived this week. We received our membership packs and I have to say the marketing people have excelled in their selections this year.
Looking forward to Round 2 with the new kit!
Mine hasn’t arrived as yet but that’s possibly because I chose the T Shirt option. Anybody received their T Shirt Pack as yet? And if so how was the sizing?
Got my pack, and the T-shirt was good quality and sizing was fine, the tshirt was considerably better than expected. Believe the T-shirt has been the best option value etc for a long time
Like most, really looking forward to 2025, hopefully the expected change from forward dominated style occurs. Still need to win the battle but the way the NRL is currently if you don’t have speed in the backs, you get punished.
Thanks B&G4.
Got my T shirt pack.
Sizing OK
Had a hiccup with mine JonBoy. Hopefully it gets sorted.
How’s A Twidle looking hope we have signed him long term
Only just started with the group. He was very good in Flegg in 24. Very versatile.
We haven’t had back up halves i think for a decade previously. Not anyone who could fill in at a pinch. Ryles comes and instantly recognised the problem.
I share your concerns about Dylbags Spark…