Was this one of the biggest preseason sessions I’ve ever witnessed?
It would certainly be in contention.
In case you weren’t aware, Friday is the big day of the week at Kellyville. The work builds through the preceding days to this heavy loading, and then the squad receives the two days of the weekend to recover.
But let me be clear about something.
The players minds are kept active throughout via the variety of drills they have to get through in a session and the incorporation of conditioning into the drills and games. Very little straight line running is involved. The squad gets no chance to switch off.
On occasions, I’ve arrived at Kellyville and been surprised by the sheer number of domes and pole markers in place over two football fields. That doesn’t include the equipment and markers set out for any players doing rehab work.
Today’s conditions were incredibly demanding. The heat was present from early morning, and it was uncomfortable just watching the session.
Before I provide details on today’s training, I wanted to give this quick update on Ronald Volkman.
After speaking briefly with him I can confirm that our latest recruit is most definitely an Eels junior. His junior club was Cabramatta and he was a member of Eels development squads in his early teens. This means he probably trained alongside the likes of current team mates Sean Russell and Will Penisini and former Eel Jake Arthur.
Back to this session.
Mark Gasnier was working with the backs today, and I decided to watch his coaching of edge attack. Once more precision in positioning and timing was emphasised. The players are learning that small differences can result in huge impacts.
Gaz coaching
Whilst Gaz was focussed on the edges with his group, the rest of the squad worked on their play through the ruck or on kicking and catching.
Next on the agenda was half field drills pitching left side against right side as they faced off in what was probably equal parts attack and defence. My attack highlights included:
* A pass from Mitch Moses to Kelma Tuilagi running a great line that put him through the defence
* Sean Russell’s pace
* Josh Addo-Carr breaking down the sideline.
Kelma (image credit Eels media)
Following this, the coaches resumed the kick/chase drill from Thursday. Ryles firstly delivered a message that I would assume demanded game day focus and effort from his charges and then it was repeated kick and chase.
The kick placements varied, and some of the returns from the back three exhibited that the fielding team were expected to challenge the chase as much as they could. And what can you say about Moses’ kicking game? He is a master craftsman.
Artie during the two hand touch game (via Eels media)
Two hand touch footy followed with players dropping out to give the attacking team an advantage. The ball movement stood out, but when the games switched to sideline to sideline touch footy, it was obvious that this had a significant conditioning purpose.
There were two games played simultaneously at each end of the field. They were relentless so I decided to keep my focus on the game closest to me. Any observations were therefore only made about the players in that game.
As fatigue kicked in, the players began urging each other for more effort. Whenever the play slowed, Nathan Brown demanded a lift in tempo.
Some of my highlights included:
* Joash Papali’i creating breaks and half breaks with his step
* Ryley Smith making effort on effort plays
* Luca Moretti demonstrating mobility and pace
* Will Penisini being very vocal with his team
* Toni Mataele’s agility in a cover defence effort
Will Penisini (credit Eels media)
After a brief period of ball work, the players left the field to don jerseys for the defence technique component of the morning. Switching from training shirts to match jerseys on a day like this goes with the preseason territory.
Shoulder warm ups kicked things off before they worked in pairs for one on one “hit, stick, lock up the ball.”
Full impact one on one tackling followed. Gym mats were used to cushion the fall of the tackled player. I started noting some of the big hits being delivered, and recording names – Kelma Tuilagi, Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, Charlie Guymer, Dan Keir. It soon became obvious that everyone was driving powerfully and knocking their opponent off their feet so I stopped. I could have written down the entire squad.
Defence drill in action
Finally, they drilled different numbers in the tackle (one, two or three) and getting back into the line or in marker positions. The players rotated throughout this drill, meaning they all experienced being part of the different numbers making the tackle or being tackled.
It was interesting to hear Junior, as he was about to be on the receiving end of a hit, demand that the tackler show him what he could do.
As time was called on the defence drills, I thought that the session had come to an end. I was wrong. The squad was then handed to Blair Mills for the finishing touches to their conditioning. A few more “up/downs” later and it was finally a chance for extras.
The first week of December is finally done and dusted and I was spent just watching it.
Don’t forget the Members appreciation day on the 14th.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Hardest preseason ever?🤪
No, I never use that expression.
Thanks Sixties I’m just glad the club has purchased two young ones as back up halves. This goes a fair way for Reggie’s and also if reps / injuries bit
Thanks for the write up again and I am enjoying the read and also change ups with the coaching etc.
Cheers Milo. Depth is critical to potential improvement in 25.
Sean Russell and pace are not 2 things I thought I’d see in the same sentence let alone as being a highlight…
Xavier Savage may disagree.
Ive always told people Russell has pace. He just has sustained top speed over explosion off the mark.
He rarely gets put into space but you see his speed in chasing breaks.
Watch him and Blaize chase Best. Sean totally blew him away. Not even close.
Hopefully they can work on his off the mark pace.
Well noted Woody.
He was always fast coming through the grades Brad
Speaking of pace Sixties what has happened to Ethyn Martin – I noticed he was involved in the early sessions but now hasn’t been spotted off nobbys?
He’s raw but I think he has some X factor about him.
He’s injured at the moment.
Ethyn had a bit of rehab so there was no point in allocating NRL training time if he would just be doing rehab. He’ll join them again down the track. Yes, he’s a diamond in the rough. Raw talent.
Okay cool thanks for the update, hopefully it’s not too bad of an injury.
I was hoping he could make an impression in the off-season. Has speed, skill and knows how to find the line.
100% ! I had high hopes for Sean but he really fell off the cliff.
I hope he has regained full fitness and can show his potential.
I reckon we’ve got more than a couple of blokes who”ll benefit from being in an improved roster and system. Russell has had 2 years of NRL learning scrambled by a shirt full of broken ribs/internal damage. He gradually became more reliable and consistent than Sivo in kick returns and other yardage carries. My limited knowledge recalls he was a noted attacker/ball runner coming through the pathways, maybe we see that emerge agan.
I think there’s a lot of blokes who will benefit from these new ideas and systems. The whole vibe is starting to feel fresh and alive again. Luca moretti is one who might really kick on under Ryles direction.
Awesome to hear Volkman was a parra jnr. It’s like he has come home, where he is meant to be. Great to see our cup side will have a great halves pairing. Good depth options will be available if needed.
On a Salty side note:
I bet you sanders, Blaize, Boods all thought the ship was sinking at parra.
They thought because ba left and we had a bad year that things were headed downwards like a sinking ship.
Now they’ve been replaced by even better young players than themselves (lol) and the clubs headed in the best direction that I’ve seen in many years, I see this like a revival – much like when ba came in and we saw great times follow in the years afterwards!
This club needed a restart and no coach can stay at one club forever without it going stale. Maybe Bellamy being the exception*
i hope we spank Canberra, Newcastle, and the riff next year. Show those boys that loyalty to CLUB is more important.
I personally would rather stay in a club I love that’s losing than sell out the moment the opportunity comes and jump ship due to hard times. I will support parra until my death, and when young players use up our club and show no loyalty I obviously take it personally (lol).
It’s a blessing in disguise those rats jumped off the ship, because it’s definitely not sinking. My prediction is that within 2 seasons parra will be firing and a top team once again! 💪 💙 💛
Come on Muz, you don’t need to go down that path. I wish former players well, except when they play Parra.
I wish I could think more like you Sixties. Gutho is a player I wish well. There might be others which don’t come to mind.
I still have flashbacks as kid buying the morning paper, turning to the back page only to read Mick Delroy signed with the Roosters for $120000 a season.
Don’t ask me if I was upset when Andrew Farah knocked him into the next millennium. There’s a lot I don’t like about myself as it is.😌
Joseph, I was probably only ever dirty about Jamie Lyon back in the day. If players busted a gut for Parra I could never hate on them.
Sixties I wish them well just not VS parrra I should have added it’s more tribal than serious unwell wishing, just don’t like disloyalty to the beloved eels lol
Given the circumstances of BAs demise, I’d suggest there were other factors at play influencing at least some of those young players moving on that didn’t have anything to do with team performance and results. I’m all for players showing loyalty and loving the club but the club has to love you back too.
Muz you are right mate.. footy is tribal.
I’ve got no problem with young Arthur taking off to Newcastle because personally I believe that like his brother, hes never going to be a superstar. Although Matthew was always the better player but I recall some slashing of wrists when Jake took off and where is he now ?
Also, I thought it was pretty poor form from Matthew to take off because the club boned Dad.
BUT if Matthew proves me wrong, I’ve got no problem.
Personally, and unlike Sixties, Id love to see Blaize Talagi end up in a pile of mess at the Panthers., just as long as he never ever wears our colours again.
As of our club, what a breath of fresh air Ryles has been. For better or worse, its now undeniable that things were horribly stale under BA.
Spark neither of those brothers will likely be super stars as you mentioned but maybe matt in years to come can become a solid back up hooker. But none of those young boys look like they’ll be nrl stars if we are being honest. Blaize shafted our club, we invested in him game time & opportunity when he Cleary wasn’t even ready. Apparently the club held off signing extra backs last year to give him game time instead to invest in his experience to give priority to our Jnrs for long term. All we got was constantly missed tackles, giving away easy tries, then ran through the media mud and shafted to go over to he riff. Used us as a platform to seek a better club. Some will make excuses and say “got to best for your career.” But our club stood by him for years even during severe injuries. The first chance he got he abandoned ship. People can argue out of optimism that’s “ok.” But they wasted our time holding up spots only to escape and ask for more money with their nrl debuts having taken place.
The same thing happened with Jake Arthur at our club. Both the boys took up years of development at our club blocking positions only to abandon for emotional issues. Name 1 other club were the development hooker and half Backs are held by a coaches sons then abandoned due to emotional reasons.
Whilst people will say it’s normal it’s not. Our club lost years of wasted development and overlooking over players who in all honesty we’re probably better Or similar quality with more potential upside due to “loyalty” only to lose them the moment they were worth something and employable to other clubs.
Maybe this is seen as a negative talking point or water under bridge. But look at the halves we got instantly once outsiders came in. What I’m suggesting is that those players all used our club up for debuts only to club jump the moment other Clubs offered them money.
Our clubs been taken for a ride in the past in my view way too loyal to some players who didn’t deserve it.
I also don’t want to see ANY young players getting debuts unless on decent length contracts. Otherwise they’ll use our eels club debut as a platform to shop themselves to other clubs like these other young players, it makes me sick our best jnrs used our club up like this and jumped ship without showing club loyalty.
No player who grows up truly wanting to be a proud parramatta eel would do that. 0% chance. You hear Hanye & Mannah’s tren mates talk even now, tim said loads of them got other hot offers and he used to laugh about it like “no way I would leave parra”
Saying the club wasted years of development is more than harsh, Muz. MA in particular was captain of an Origin winning NSW U19 team. He didn’t get picked in that team because of his father, he did because of his talent. He also got an NRL debut from TB, not BA. Now if the eels didn’t totally stuff up BA’s demise then MA might still be there. I’m not saying BA’s time wasn’t up, but the club looked like total amateurs in the way they handled it and the farcical chase of Bennett and I can totally understand MA not wanting to stay around.
I think you’re very stoic in your loyalty stance, but the fact is the NRL is now a business. It’s ruthless and when you have player managers trying to do the best for their own pockets rather than their actual clients needs, coupled with clubs that are quick to shaft players when it suits them – see Gutho, RCG etc. – then I have no qualms whatsoever for any player, from any club, getting what they can. Don’t forget it’s a very short career, the average NRL player plays something like 75 games – that’s not even 3 seasons.
Stubby you make good points and I never really disagree with you
What I’m suggesting is that all of this didn’t help our club.
Amd maybe the club itself is to be self reflecting. Def not blaming ba.
What my thought was is the club should have maybe had blaize etc on like contracts before debuts.
And with MA, etc, the club should have addressed him a long time ago and had discussions about if in the worst case scenario BA had to go and what would that lead to.
He is a good young player I also believe. But the eels club is behind the ball now.
We put years into our halves & hooker development from within and LOST every one of them that was good.
So we obviously did many things wrong. And it’s obviously about contracts and having tough conversation pre Ba sacking.
We almost got the wooden spoon and had to sign other halves and back up fullbacks from other clubs because we don’t have any nrl with potential ready to go.
So we did a lot of things wrong and almost got a wooden spoon – lost our best young players to go with it.
It’s definitely not a sly dig at ba stubby he is only 1 person.
The club should not have had our best jnrs going out getging nrl debuts without long term contracts signed – all they do is use as a platform to jump ship to another club.
Of course it’s a business, but if you think loyalty means 0% then you are mistaken. Every good club has players taking unders to remain there.
My position isn’t formed on a random thought but as an observer of the game who’s spoken to former players about our club and its situation.
The fact of the matter is if your jnrs show you zero loyalty and use your team as a platform only more or less then yes it does waste years worth of development for no positive long term contribution to the NRL team.
Hence we haven’t won’t a comp since the 80’s, we come second last and people still argue that losing our best jnrs is normal and ok. We obviously are addressing this. Look at panthers – they often lock the best young guns before nrl debuts.
Mate I recall years and years ago, I had a night on the tiles with Julian ONeill and others. We wound up at a bar doing and saying stupid things.
Julian was a man of immense talent but couldnt get off the drink.
Anyway, I remember him saying that he went through school in Qld and he was far and away the best at everything sport wise. The best swimmer, best cricketer etc… and from the age of 12 he had managers blowing smoke up his ring and clubs giving him everything.
When he was at the Broncos, all behaviour was taken care of. But it was detrimental to building his character and he didn’t have a chance to really grow up.
Now I dont know Blaize Talagi but I suspect that his actions may have been the result of a similar upbringing.
As a young man, you can get lost in the praise of all the people patting you on the back and telling you how great you are and lose sight of your values.
I think the Eels did the wrong thing with him and may have learnt a valuable hard lesson.
Thats what makes the Melbourne Storm so strong. They recruit character first and talent second.
I’d be dirty if we ever give him a second chance.
Spark, Blaize and his family are quality people. If he ever returned I’d hope it would be with open arms.
He is apparently a very nice kid.
What I should have added – I don’t like to only state problems and not attempt to float a solution.
What I think is from now onwards on:
No kids get NRL debuts without long term commitments to the club (unless we don’t care if they leave)
The riff’s nest young players who they want long term are usually extended or locked in long term before the kid can use them as a spring board to attract the highest offers and skip clubs.
No normal club with a good culture has its best young players all wanting to jump ship. Hopefully we can fix this moving forwards 🤞
It’s such a shame Talagi will miss the entire pre-season after damaging his turnstile.
Spark, I served an apprenticeship many years ago at a company where my father held a senior position. I had just finished my apprenticeship when my father was made redundant. I wanted to leave too but my father convinced me to stay.
He was grateful the company supported him for 30 years and felt it was right that I returned the resources and training they invested in me.
I get your point regarding Matt Arthur.
I’m more dirty on BA than I am on Matt.
Sounds like your father was a bloody good man.
Thanks Spark, I miss him dearly, I wish I was half the man he was.
My story doesn’t have a fairytale ending, the company went into voluntary liquidation and folded soon after. But my dad taught me a valuable lesson about doing what’s right.
No need to be dirty on anyone. You can’t blame Boods for wanting out.
The thing is, if you burn bridges as a club, you never know what you could miss out on later. It could be the departing player, it could be other players that are close to such players. Players have returned to clubs throughout the history of rugby league. Players have been instrumental in other club recruitment. You can’t keep everyone happy, but it doesn’t hurt to have departures as amicable as possible.
Sixties the game of rugby league is so crazy that you couldn’t count out Ma or even ba coming back to this club in the future at some point, we’ve all seen stranger things happen. Blaize hopefully can learn to defend at Penrith and come back to us when he’s ready.
Sixties, fair call, I’m not dirty on all players that leave, but I am dirty on players who are looked after, nurtured and supported, players our club make clear are wanted and valued but still leave the club.
Lyon as you’ve mentioned crapped on our club in support of his fellow pig hugging friend. Not for a second considering what the club did for him.
I was not impressed when Brett Hodgson dogged us, still dirty on him.
Talagi, he’s up there with Lyon, nurtured and supported through injury, told how valued he was by his club, what does he do? Dumps on the club for greener pastures and offered nothing for the years the club invested in him. Am I dirty on him? I never want to see him Eels colours again.
There’s genuine hatred and tribalism hatred, my hatred towards footballers who dump on our club is not from a dark place.
I admire your ability to dissociate yourself from the hatred charged by tribalism, but that’s not me. I view rugby league as its own bubble separated from the real world and with its own moral codes generally not accepted in the real world.
I’m not proud of myself but that’s how I’ve always been.
Good post Joseph. RL is tribal and the mighty eels insanely huge supporter base is not one made up from logic and day to day reasoning. It’s based on passion and loyalty, tribalism. Without it none of us would still support a club who’s not won the comp since the 80’s (lol). Our loyalist fans feel the pain deeply when we feel betrayed. I’m like you and strongly dislike those snake 🐍 like behaviours. If we won comps and it didn’t matter if we lost good players, so be it. But we are under dogs. I’m with you that Blaize felt a bit like Lyon situation.
I agree, Parra’s main issues are holding onto junior talent, it now sounds like Ryles has married the development of these ‘boys’ with a much tighter focus on every player young, older, fresh and seasoned working together with the focus being team play and unity.
What a master counter-stroke signing Iongi when Panthers poached Blaize.
BA’s tenure had run its course, we are instead seeing vibrancy and variety.
Also, as difficult it is to say goodbye to Gutho and RCG, those players are getting older and the rest of the squad were leaning on them, no doubt they will inspire in their new teams, I want the new look EELS to inspire a each other to a higher level.
Fantastic, love the read and the photos. Thanks.
Sean Russell got few opportunities last season to test his outright pace. We simply didn’t have the backs to create space, especially attacking outside our half.
Next season could be different for Sean, he could be the beneficiary of few long range tries, we finally have the strike power to attack from anywhere on the field.
Happy days, can’t wait for 2025 to start. So much to look forward to, fresh faces, pace, depth and a new coaching staff.
We’ll be as fresh as the first flush of a toilet with a new Harpic tropical blossom block.
Your figurative language is outstanding and original Joseph. Perhaps I’ll still it for a podcast!
All of this training again makes me wonder about both Lomax and Iongi.
I understand about leave etc but they will really be behind the rest of the group when they return. I think Lomax will be fine but damn .. Iongi will really have to be a fast learner because Papalii will be all over that fullback spot.
Is Samrani, the centre signed from Dogs, at training? Have heard nothing and profile not on website, has something happened to him?
There are numerous pics of Samrani training.
Correct there are Woody
Glenn he’s been there from Day one and I’ve named him a few times. He’s a unit and looks very fit. He’s probably not got a profile on the Eels website as he’s train and trial in 25. Goes top 30 in 26
I think we got a very determined footballer with JAC as long as he can stay injury free. I predict 20 tries plus from him in 2025. He will want to be re-signed for 26.
I recall Russell chasing down Savage in the trial but his pace after that went walkabout. He had so many opportunities to score but couldn’t get there. 2024 was a real disappointment.
He doesnt have explosive pace like Ionghi. He takes a while to hit top pace. There is footage of Ionghi beating tackles with explosive pace but getting run down by second rowers further down the field.
Explosive pace is generally more useful in NRL.
Well Russell knows who to back up then after a break. In fact we haven’t seen enough of that in recent years. We probably blew plenty of tries because there were no support runners. I reckon this season they’ll be lining up once Iongi and Brown make a break.
Woody Sean came into nrl smaller and known as a good finisher on the wing. He bulked up and lost that little bit of elusiveness. He has good top speed, hopefully he’s a little leaner and quicker off the mark in 25’.
That’s a fair call about the Foxx. I think he’ll hit 20 too.
It’s exciting Zero, we know games aren’t won on paper but boy we look so much better with a Ferrari revving on the wing.
How has Wiremu been performing?
Looks to have trimmed down as well as Paulo.
I don’t think Weirimu will be top 17. The game looks to have past him. It’s just to fast for his tyre of style.. I think Ryles is looking for players who have much more agility.
Can’t fault Woody. Looks to be the fittest I’ve seen him.
Thats great. I’ve seen pictures of Will Pennisi, he looks good but I hope he’s lost some weight. He was just too big and slow.