Where are the Eels at from a conditioning perspective?
At first I thought that this question was going to be difficult to answer because under Blair Mills, the Eels are doing very little traditional fitness work. It’s not to say that it’s zero, but the straight line running is a minimal component of each field session.
However, as each week ticks by, the loading is noticeably increasing.
I despise the cliche “toughest preseason ever”. The reason being that each preseason that I’ve ever watched has been different to the one before. If it was the same year on year, there’d be a problem because you couldn’t expect improved performances from identical preparations.
This preseason is vastly different to anything that I’ve witnessed in the past. That’s easy to understand, because there are so many staffing changes. It manifests in the structure, the drills and even the technology used.
Mind you, I’m only commenting on the field session components that I’m watching. Like every other team, the players complete other work on the field, and off, in each day. That includes the gym stuff (weights, contact, off the feet conditioning on bikes and rowers), video sessions, leadership and education.
I don’t see the majority of the day at work for the squad. I’ll make the assumption that there’d be significant differences there too.
Back to the fitness question.
I’d hazard a guess that they will be fitter but in a different way – let’s call it specifically footy fit. I’d estimate that 90-95% of the conditioning that they undertake in a field session involves them engaging in football games or skills.
Opposed
What that means is that the goal will be a specific level of fitness, strength and agility to match the type of football that Jason Ryles and his staff want the team to play. I doubt there’d be any comparison to past data bases.
Normally, I’d be reporting on the outstanding performers in the conditioning components of field sessions. You’d be reading about which backs and which forwards were leading the runs. Not so this preseason.
Even if Gutho was still here, there’d be none of the usual mentions about him setting conditioning standards.
That said, at the end of this report, I will make some observations about a couple of players that excelled in the minimal straight line running that took place late in the Tuesday session. Initially I wondered if the running was for assessment purposes, but it wasn’t a standard “Broncos” so I’ll rule that out.
As I noted last week, Friday’s session was in the mix for the biggest that I’d ever seen. I stand by that.
But in reflecting on that session, the rest of last week, and the start of this week, there’s an obvious build up of the conditioning loading.
The football drills are relentless. Execution and effort under fatigue is featuring. As you move through this report, remember that I’m merely providing an overview of what’s unfolded. I might not include every little detail. If I mention specific players, it’s only because something has caught my eye amongst what is close to forty players all busting a gut on the field at the same time.
Getting back for the kick
Tuesday began with what almost resembled extras. The squad was split into groups, the majority of whom were engaged in ball skills. However, one group of outside backs seemed to be working on their combinations and try finishing.
The squad then came together for a period of opposed footy. It was probably equal parts attack and defence, but it was primarily moments in attack that I noted:
* A couple of sublime passes from Dylan Brown to put players into holes
* Charlie Guymer running great lines on the edge
* Dean Hawkins showcasing his passing skills
* Isaiah Iongi cutting through the defence on an inside ball
Four tackle touch footy followed and then it became apparent that the loading was kicking in via the football itself
The squad alternated between simultaneous games of cross field, six/seven a side touch footy, and contact opposed footy with an emphasis on the kick/chase.
As soon as time was called on one, the players would change fields to commence the other.
It was tough to single out players, but I know that readers are keen to know how our bigger players are adapting. In the touch footy game I saw Junior make a long break and really stretch out. In the contact opposed, Woody made some effort on effort plays, chasing back to the line and taking hit ups.
That said, the mobility of all of the forwards is difficult to fault, so when the opposed games get serious and start to feature likely combinations, it will be interesting to see who is in genuine contention for round one starting spots.
The morning was rounded off with some conditioning runs and defence technique. I promised to list the best performing back and forward (my eye test, not GPS data) and I’ll reference three players.
Sean Russell was outstanding and led many of the sets. As the pace picked up, Ryley Smith came to the fore. Ryley is making the most of his preseason opportunity and attendees at the Fairfield Open Training session will recall him stretching out during the fitness work that day. Mind you, Brendan Hands is arguably enjoying his best preseason.
As far as the forwards are concerned, Charlie Guymer was Mr Consistency and finished near the lead in most sets.
The squad is enjoying a break from the work today as they will be training on Saturday at Granville in the Member Appreciation event.
My next report will be about Thursday’s session.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Make or break year for the Emu.
Great to read that Charlie Guymer is hitting holes on the edges. Whilst he’s a very good middle I’ve always thought he’s best suited to the edge. Moves great laterally, is very tough in defence and his passing ability can give us a different look in attack. He really could be our next Manu Ma’u
He has a long NRL career ahead of him Ham.
The coaches are giving every chance for all players to be successful.
this would of been a craig bellamy approach, so good to hear ryles is doing it.
btw 60s gee the dogs have disposed of some good centres, alamoti, averillo and now
joash.
Keep an eye on our other recruit from there who is a centre – Jordan Samrani. Looking good and is a unit.
He looks huge 60’s even standing next to Dylan brown in eels media. How old is he?
Great reporting Sixties. Would you rate it as the best preseason ever, or is it a bit premature. Sorry, couldn’t help myself. Merry Xmas to you and the team
Merry Christmas to you too Vincent, but still plenty of content between now and then on TCT.
All our players from international duties are back except for Lomax. Do we know why he gets a longer break than everyone else?
He doesn’t get a longer break. Moses came back early and Iongi wouldn’t be entitled to as long as he is a rookie.
Great report. I have been somewhat concerned that none of your training reports mentioned gruelling road runs, sand hills or bush camps. I assume the staff feel their is no benefit.
Whilst I appreciate the sconce based approach there’s a reason storm etc still do sand runs and army camps every now and then to test players mentally. I hope we some something like this pre or post Christmas to see who true leaders are in tough times and bring group closer. I think that brad didn’t do any army camps (per lane in a podcast with bloke in a bar). Anyway, the experts will have it mapped out and hopefully it tends towards improved defence. This year on year lip service from our players re: defence not being up to scratch and excuses re: injuries needs to stop
True Ron re lip service… the edge defence issue and our inconsistency for years has been covered up by injury excuses or making one player (waqa, fergo, etc) a Scapegoat. The issue never resolved or improved upon those players leaving. The worst defensive out wide for years you could probably say has been usually the parra eels. Whilst I won’t be a fool and pretend any us arm chair experts could solve it, it was very clear that our previous staff and many players did not have the answers for it.
All I’m asking for in 2025 is we finally see a team who can defend attacks against our wingers and centres near our try line. This will go along way. We can’t go anywhere until we fix this problem that we’ve had for years. This won’t be easy, it took penriths best defence coach (ciraldo) to clean out a roster at dogs until he could implement it at the dogs. They saw only small improvements in the first season, by season 2 they had amongst the best defence all season in 2024. The poor defence out wide and low confidence in defence may require us to revamp our roster even further before we see huge improvements. My prediction is 2025 we see improvements, but the full 180 will take place for the mighty eels in 2026.
Our problem was our middle was terrible in defence. Junior, reg, Mahoney couldn’t wrestle or get back quick enough. The bench was even worse. So It was a snowball effect to backrowers who didn’t have enough line speed or communication and so on. Clearly ryles he downsized the pa k and also is working on spacing, communication and line speed (areas we are downright terrible in). Having more competent players in backline also helps – There’s also so much a coach can elevate bog average centres and wingers re: defensive reads.
Only so much *
Thanks Sixties,
Informative as always. It is interesting to read about the “non-traditional” conditioning program. As a slightly older chap who doesn’t like/cope with change I don’t really like it and worry about it.
Nonetheless Mills has been around doing this sort of role for a long time with several teams/sports and is a professional. So I put my trust in him for now and look forward to seeing our team less gassed than others next season! Or at least no more gassed than the opposition. I’d really like to read about the science behind the conditioning structure and how it is meant to improve fitness for the game. I know you’ve had a quick chat with Mills and provided some insights from that, which I appreciate.
However, I might try and delve a bit deeper with some research and see what I can find so I am better informed.
Thanks again, as always I appreciate the regular updates.
Kitione Kautoga should be showing up soon
Interesting signing if he can realise his potential.
Right on cue. Is he another signing from the Bulldogs? We seem to be taking a few from Belmore…