How quickly can situations change in the world of the NRL!
On Thursday I reported that Zac Lomax had commenced his preseason at the Eels, and in my mind that was all players present and accounted for.
Here we are, just 24 hours later, with confirmation that the Eels had secured 22 year old Fijian International Kitione (Gideon) Kautoga.
The Eels media release for Kautoga
But wait… there’s more!
Not only had the former Wests and Bulldogs back rower inked a deal to join Parra, he was then immediately on the training track at Kellyville. No time wasted in this instance.
Day one in PARRAdise was not too taxing for Kautoga. Unlike last Friday, today was a short, sharp skills session. The heat was similar to last week, but the loading was vastly different.
The good news for Eels members is that a light Friday should mean a big Saturday session for supporters to watch at Eric Tweedale Stadium.
Back to Kautoga. The only observation I could make about him today, in a skills based session, was that he is an athletic unit but he seemed slightly leaner than his listed playing weight of 109 kg.
Edit – after seeing Kautoga again at the Members event at Granville I’m retracting my comment about him possibly being less than 109kgs. He’s probably every bit of 109kg – he’s got a powerful frame.
As for what transpired during the session, as an observer it was a lesson in the skills base that the coaches are aiming to build with the group.
The field work began with the entire squad being instructed on what Ryles wants from them when moving off the try line in defence. It was all about getting the timing correct against the play the ball with all of the coaches then closely monitoring and mentoring the players as they practised what they’d been shown.
Off the line
A multitude of simultaneous drills followed, all focussed on different skills – passing, marker defence, etc.
After that, the edge defenders fine tuned their footwork and cohesion when moving up in a line, whilst others concentrated on attack and defence around the ruck.
Nathan Brown then took a group of spine players and backs and they ran through adding more deception in how they engaged the line and distributed the ball.
It was educational to both watch and listen to this drill, firstly because it was seeing the value added to each of the players and secondly it was adding to my own understanding of how some of this attention to detail and minor changes to execution can make a massive difference to how a defender reacts.
Playmakers learning their craft
On a side note, when Browny finished this drill, he had all of the players attempt to grubber the ball from about 30 metres out and have it finish around the try line.
After some fairly solid attempts from the group, with the understandable banter that came with it, Nathan Brown proceeded to step up and deliver a kick that finished smack bang on the try line between the posts! The last two or three bounces themselves were actually on the line before it came to a stop.
It drew the expected reaction from the players, and as they walked away Browny jokingly said to me that he probably couldn’t do that again. Why would he need to? “Remember when I demonstrated how to weight a grubber kick? Show me what you learned!”
The coach’s humility and jokes aside, this is why a star player like him became a sought after coach. This sort of stuff is in the kit bag.
Whilst that drill was unfolding, a group of outside backs were practising how to defend/field an assortment of attacking kicks. This had them reacting to low drilled kicks and a variety of high balls.
Meanwhile, the forwards also worked through ball skills relevant to their role.
In what seemed like no time, the session was brought to a halt and even the extras were brief.
Viviana gets her photo with Zac
Special mention to Zac Lomax who was last from the field then came over to meet a couple of Parra fans, Ray and Viviana, who were first time visitors to this preseason.
This Saturday promises to be a massive Eels Member Appreciation event at Granville’s Eric Tweedale Stadium. I’m expecting Ryles and the coaching staff to put the players through a big session in front of members.
What an opportunity for the Blue and Gold faithful to watch and meet the Parra stars, the new recruits and the emerging pathways players.
See you there.
Eels forever!
Sixties
A great insight!
Time consuming I bet, but appreciated.
👏👏
Cheers mate. I find 3am to 7am to be my busy time on TCT.
There is a lot of inexperience in this group of players. There is also elite experience sprinkled through it as well.
This will be a big challenge for JR coming in as an inexperienced NRL coach. From what I have seen so far he will be up to the challenge.
What did Mike Tyson say “everyone has a good plan until they get punched in the face “. I think it was Mike Tyson.
It’s both simple and yet deep John. Is that Tyson? Maybe there’s more to his intellect than meets the eye?
Tyson was also a good singer in The Hangover! Phil Collins
Seriously – I like the youth look to the team with the balance of experience particularly in the backs now with Addo Carr and lesser extent Lomax; don’t forget Simmonsen has had a few seasons now and when fit I expect him to come back strong.
Hey Milo. The addition of Addo-Carr will be a positive for the club. His experience, positivity and footy mentoring of the younger players is a value added.
Yes and I am happy to be wrong abt him mate; initially not a fan of his signing but hopefully he smartens up; I will say he has been great with fans etc even today I saw him at the fan day, and while doing special work on the tower with Lomax and others he stopped at the end and posed some photos – he didn’t have to, but he was v good.
Feels like balance has been restored now we have a replacement Fijian wrecking ball.
Good point Woody!
Good read Sixties.
No disrespect intended. But I feel this team has a plan and it is being carried out impeccably off the field. Youth, speed, skills, mobility and defence are all part of that plan. The second part of the plan is to deliver this on-field. As, I said no disrespect intended. But the last two years felt like there was no stratagem and we were one injury away from end of season. Or Gutho playing injured because we didn’t have a backup fullback.
Ryles has described it as a reset. The addition of players for depth and strike changes the dynamics, and yet there are also core players remaining and players being extended. Don’t ignore the impact of a significant injury toll over the last two seasons. Without the depth that is now being built into the team it was inevitable that the team would struggle. What I have enjoyed watching this preseason is building the skills of all players. The fundamental errors that crept into the team in 2024 were costly and had to be addressed. How many times did we witness 12 point turn arounds at crucial times in games? To go from the brink of scoring to conceding a 90 metre try off an error.
We needed a reset Pete especially with the game style & speed shifting in the last few years. Staff turn around changes in every organisation if it’s failing. It’s no disrespect to past servants to the club. Injuries galore don’t help but our issue is ba etc had good starting squads but never really got our depth aspects dialled in. We have always been one moses or gutho injury away from barely being able to win 1 game which I identified even before this season and people make comments defending the club. The game generates plenty of half back & fullback injuries. I would argue those are the two most important positions in the parramatta eels nrl team. So even if the new coaches aren’t necessarily better coaches than we had. I think just in the fact alone this shift has resulted in us having significant halves & backs depth will in itself be a net positive outcome longer term for the eels overall. A competitive cup team is a positive sign for the nrl team. We now have I would call I strong looking cup squad, which will make our nrl team more consistent. The pressure from below for positions, the back up options when injuries or rep duties occur, I have a feeling the coaching won’t even need to be the best. The roster management was been a key issue at the eels. I have a feeling this is probably even more important than who the coach is. That’s In context of the parramatta eels issues anyway Imo. We constantly had a massive depth disadvantage to other clubs especially from positions 1-7. This looks vastly improved. A rookie coach may not be the answer straight away, but his eye for roster development is a very positive sign so far.
It seems that the recruitment is designed to support existing core players – Moses, Brown, Paulo, Hopgood, Lomax- with a group of hungry, young players competing for spots.
That seems to be the big thing, sign judiciously, the players signed know which spot is available and they know who they are competing with to get that spot.
The only spot I’d say is of concern to me is Hooker. Hands has been serviceable, Smith is exciting and Lussick out of his depth. There needs to be another NRL ready player in the mix. But if Hands and Smith can strike a solid combination then I can see Ryles has built a scrappy, competitive roster that will feed of the direction of the core players.
Very exciting
Kenny I have a feeling we have a plan up our sleeve to help Hands from within, or Ryles is watching the market to see the exact type of hooker he wants. We will be in trouble if say hands gets hurt.
Afternoon TCT,
I have been a quiet observer of your blogs for a long time now. I have to say every year I have really enjoyed having an insight of our training and who has been travelling well. Your articles are much appreciated and I hope you all have a great Christmas with your families. One question from my end, what would be your 17 so far. I’m curious mostly on our starting edges, fullback and bench make up. It’s an exciting year coming up that’s for sure with a new coach and a new direction!
Regards
SneakyEel
Hi Sneaky. Long time listener, first time caller? Rather than my starting 17 in this reply, I normally post my round one team when we hit the halfway point of the preseason – in the Christmas and New Year break. Stand by for that.
I guess the question burning at the heals of every Eels supporter, but nobody has the noise to ask is… what are the differences between this preseason compared to the previous? The notable changes..?
Also sixties.., do you think this playing group will be better conditioned, fitter and more on the same page compared to previous seasons?
This site is renowned for its positivity regarding everything Eels and that’s to be admired, but I’m pretty sure I’m not the only fan who wants to know the nuts and bolts in comparisons.
I’m actually one of few it seems who is happy there has been a lot of change in the team, particularly the massive Gutho call, but fans don’t have a clue whether they have a decent team with a hope next year, or whether it’s just more over positive TCT dribble.
Sixties…what position do you think we will finish in 2025?
There it is…
PS
To the one eyed members…
I’ve been banned and to never return because HOE got jealous my game day blogs were hitting over 4-500 replies in comparison to his long winded and extremely uninteresting blogs which normally got 11-12 on a good night.
I believe that the new team and elements of the club will be successful next season and beyond, but I think all fans on here are after a few hard truths
Grunta, I’ve addressed the differences, including conditioning, in multiple reports and replies. I reckon I’ve described what’s happening in detail, including the build in loading over each week. My prediction is simple – Parra will improve. The finishing position prediction is quite broad at the moment because the squad has only just commenced some 13 on 13 opposed. Right now, I see a finish between 6th and 12th.
Awesome reply and thanks for your honesty mate.
Sixties, I’m on record of saying we will win the minor premiership and make the GF. Not prepared to say we will win it.
I base this on the fact that Storm and Penrith are favorites and I cannot see why we cannot beat both of them.
We were very competetive against them this year with a side that we had no right to be.
The key is obviously injuries but it seems that Ryles has provisioned with quality back ups, especially in the halves,
We also have Lomax and Jac to completely change the speed of the backline as well as up and comers like Iongi and Joash Papailli. Further to that we have some juniors that will add depth in the backs as well.
In the forwards we lose RCG but we regain fit Hopgood, Paulo and Matterson, throw in Jack Williams who I believe will be a cult figure. He has a lot more ability than he was ever allowed to show at the sharks.
A lot of criticism is talked about our Hooker depth. I think Hands will have a break out season and Ryley Smith seems to be developing. Hands has had two very good seasons to develop and take the next step.
WE also have a couple of very good back up halves in Hawkins and Volky who could also prove to be a very handy 14, he is 93ks and can handle it, like wise Joash Pap is also in the running as a 14. Guymer is coming through as well.
Sorry to go into so much dialogue but I can imagine the derision my opening paragraph could get, so I thought I would explain my optimism.
I always prefer positivity to negativity.
Poppa, for a few seasons now, every time I watched a Sharks game and Williams came on from the bench he looked the goods to me, and more than once I recall thinking why is this bloke a perennial bench player? I guess I’ll get some answers now.
I won’t disagree with your logic Poppa, I’m just going to start with the base of improvement and whatever happens above that is a bonus.
Cheers Grunta.