Before launching into a run down of the Monday field work, I wanted to provide a quick report on the Eels Member Appreciation Day open training session.
The 2000 or so members in attendance at Granville were treated to plenty of action, with Jason Ryles including the biggest 13 on 13 opposed game of this preseason.
This signalled to me that the preseason is ramping up, and though questions have already been asked to date, when full team opposed begins, the competition for places is on.
Granville session
My personal highlights from the day were a big hit from Will Penisini on Zac Lomax during left side vs right side drills, and the speed and evasiveness of Joash Papali’i at fullback during the opposed. To be honest, Joash caught the attention of many fans.
Outside of that, there has to be a thank you to Jason Ryles. Before the session began, he took part in an interview to provide supporters with some insights. Then later, just like the Fairfield open training session, he staged the defence drills near the fence to give those in the stands a close up view of the action.
It would have been different for the players to hear crowd reactions to their training, but I reckon they would have enjoyed it.
Before going further in this report, I want to acknowledge an amazing Eels supporter by the name of Len. I know you’re reading this mate and I want to thank you for your kind words on Saturday, it meant a lot to me.
Len is engaged in an incredibly tough battle at the moment. Somehow, he made it to the Members Appreciation Day at Granville. When I think of passion for the Blue and Gold, seeing Len on Saturday will always be foremost in my mind.
Keep fighting mate. Go the mighty Eels.
So to Monday. The session began as it so often does, with extended ball work included in the warm ups.
Attacking through the ruck followed and it was particularly sharp today. With each week that passes, the group is becoming more adept at executing such drills.
A sustained period of 13 vs 13 opposed was next on the agenda, and this provided a number of highlights.
Monday action through the ruck
It was roughly NRL vs NSW Cup teams, as it was on Saturday. I’ve used the term “roughly” because there were some players not involved, and there were some interchange contenders in the Cup team.
* The NRL left side combining superbly during the opposed, creating something like four line breaks with Josh Addo-Carr put into space from overlaps. The whistle was blown a couple of times as Foxx streaked away, so we’ll call them line breaks rather than tries.
* Luca Moretti in open space off a terrific inside ball, possibly from Brendan Hands.
* Moses engineering his own try from a grubber kick
* Zac Lomax linking with Will Penisini, and putting his fellow centre on a powerful charge with a gem of a pass.
The play shifts right
Part way through the opposed, “Malcolms” (up/downs) were introduced for the defending team. When the tackles were completed, the entire defence line had to drop to the ground then quickly rise to their feet and get back into position. Consequently, the fatigue was taken up a level or two. From a training perspective, it exemplified how game scenarios are modified to include conditioning components.
The session wrapped up with rapid fire games of touch footy before extras kicked in.
Two shout outs to end this report.
Sienna, Xavier, Keira and Ethan with Mitch Moses
Firstly, I need to acknowledge the young Parra supporters watching today. Sienna, Xavier, Keira and Ethan were there with Jon and all four were exemplary in their patience and manners in the hot, uncomfortable conditions.
I’ve mentioned before that these sessions aren’t open training sessions, and until the Kellyville centre is finished, there are no public ammenities to host visitors. It therefore means that there is no guarantee of meeting any players.
With Ryley, Brendan and Joey
These young fans watched without expectations and without asking for anything from the players. They were a credit to themselves and their parents.
Secondly, a thank you to the players who came over to meet the kids and have photos with them. The Foxx even poked his head out of the gym to ask if they’d like a photo. Every one of the players introduced themselves by name as they said hello and then engaged in conversation.
Taking the time to talk to young supporters after a tough training session means a lot to them and their parents. I’ve included a number of the photos taken (see below).
Go you mighty Eels!
Sixties
With Zac Lomax
With Kelma Tuilagi
With Will Latu, Jake Tago and Charlie Guymer
With Will Penisini
With Josh Addo-Carr
With Dylan Brown
Awesome report thanks mate. Gutted I couldnt make the members day as I had to work.
Just a quick question I’ve been wondering for a while now. As the boys start to get into rough teams and train 13v13, I’m extremely interested in which side Will Penisini seems to be on. I’d assume he’d be preparing to be on the left with the fox? I know you don’t want to give much away but hopefully that wouldn’t be too top secret haha
Members saw that Will was there on Saturday so I won’t be giving anything away by saying he’s training beside the Foxx.
Well…if that doesn’t whet the appetite for the new NRL season…thanks for the report and I wish Len the best in what he is dealing with. Go the Eels
We wish Len the best too NS.
Enjoyed the read and the visuals..who is still doing rehab work? I know Simmonsen is longer term.
BDon, I actually leave the injury and rehab reports to the club. Besides the known injuries to players like Brown and Simonsson, players are in and out of the rehab group all through the preseason for niggling injuries that they might play through during the season. They don’t want to put them through the demands of a preseason session or two and aggravate the niggle. If I listed players doing rehab at the moment I wouldn’t be presenting an accurate picture.
Hi Sixties. Len Dettling was asking if he could get your email address. He was wanting to send you a personal message. Im his Son in Law my email is terry@solaxs.com.au and i can forward on to him if you are ok with that. Cheers and have a Great Chrissy!!
Hey Terry, I’ll email you with the details.
Merry Christmas and thanks for the message.
Mr Sixties. That is a great photo at the top of your report. It vividly portrays a camaraderie among the younger ones and that tells me a lot.
Mr Sixties, I don’t recognize all in that photo, would you mind left to right who they are. I live up north and your eyes are mine so your informative reports are appreciated. And, of course, it whips up enthusiasm for the new season. I stand by my prediction – top eight.
Standing – Joash Papali’i, Sean Russell, Jake Tago, Haze Dunster, Will Penisini, Dylan Brown.
Sitting – Richard Penisini, Isaiah Iongi
Great read mate as usual, looking for to the 2025 season with the speed and skill added to the backline.
How are parra tracking in the presuit of Jayden Brailey from Newcastle? Or is that no longer happening.
Regards
Brett
Brett, I can’t answer on behalf of the club about Brailey. However, the noise coming out of Newcastle points towards him staying up there for 2025.
I wonder that Thompson’s now gone public and confirmed he’s on the move, the Brailey thing may sort out. It’s a bit puzzling given they were pretty open about Brailey being up for sale. And that raises another question, are we looking at Thompson? Any taxi drivers who can tell us?
I’ll have a crack. The first player I’m not sure could be joash, then Sean Russell, Tago, Dunster, Will Penisini, Brown, Rich Penasini, and Isaiah Iongi.
Actually pretty sure the first guy is Volkman
That slicing run from Papali’i in the big opposed game was something brilliant. He saw a small chink in the kick chase line, went hard for it and used his incredible agility to cut through. He’ll be fun to watch in the trials and I know where you’re coming from when you say he could be a utility selection off the bench to play a “lurking” role in the middle. From an offload or a quick play the ball he’d cause havoc in the middle.
Based on Sixties training reports. The player I am most looking forward to see play in 2025 is Joash Papali’i.
A real surprise packet for me. I had no expectations when I heard he was signed.
That’s how I see him being best utilised Ham. And he will add a depth option for fullback
Hams I think Young Papali’i is the closest thing to a young talent like a young Hayne since then at parra. His idol growing up as a player was also Jarryd Hayne AND he used to go for the eels growing up!
It’s my prediction we will see him become one of parra best backs inside 3 seasons and become a parramatta star much like his hero Hayne growing up. It’s Exciting to see young players such as Volkman and Papali’i come to us. Volkman was a parra jnr sixities said and papali’i grew up a parra fan being a big fan of Hayne who inspired him. Which is awesome to hear.
60s you appear impressed with young joash papalli, could he be the fullback to start the season ? How is Jordan samrani progressing , a mate who works at the bulldogs rates him enormously ?
Ivan, Joash makes the fullback spot a contest, but I still see him as being very dangerous as that extra playmaker/attacking 14.
Samrani is a unit and I’m impressed with what I’ve seen so far, and especially his attitude.
Thanks sixties for your reply , apparently we have picked up a winger who was part of the titans system (name alludes me) and apparently a prop from bilambel jets who is very green but a heap of ability
What ages are they Ivan? I know that they have added external recruits to SG Ball and Flegg.
The prop is Jaylan Taewa who has played some games at prop for the Tweed Seagulls.
Winger just listed as Riaven, leading try scorer in the NRRRL and winger of the year last season.
That all I know.
Woody. Reiven Smallman is the winger
Found him, and his highlights reel. Looks quick.
Awesome news ivan. Seems Ryles is using a modern storm recruiting approach. A lot more young guys and stacking with depth of talent across many positions. A rookie coach may have trouble making the whole thing work like they do down there. But it seems to be what ivan clearly is doing too. You see huge turn over of players out there but they’ve consistently got the lower grades stacked with upcoming talent and significant depth across almost every position. And big emphasis on younger players. It seems to be working, both storm & panthers do not have as many older & big name players across the roster as say roosters but absolutely flog easts every time more or less. If you look at the storms players and remove Hugh’s, Munster, paps, they can still win games. Panthers also sssm almost unbothered when Cleary has been out too. This proves they are not relying as heavily on Snr / star players to win games as other clubs are. Maybe we are going to see many of our Snr players get moved on the moment some of these young players show they can do a job. The game is now more suited for youth imo. Less breaks, faster, more about fitness. Interesting times ahead regarding recruitment. 👏
While up north we have picked up jack Hudson a young hooker from Currumbin eagles , an old school hooker with a heap of grub in him , rated highly by Kevin Procter who plays at the club
We talked about Jack in a recent podcast.
Doesn’t these recruiting reports just make you smile ?
Gone are the old tired reserve grade players and in come fast young hungry kids.
Maybe, just maybe the club has woken up to what the rest of the competition has been doing for the last couple of years ?
The kids are the future.
True Spark I think the bigger & older type players did work before but since the down town rule changes, the long periods of play without stoppages, it’s a game now more suited for younger players. I mean look at panthers & storm. So many young fit players. Majority of their rosters are not big names. Loads of youth. They can tackle and run all night. Where’s we fell asleep at 50 mins 😅 anyway hopefully we don’t see that anymore in 25’ 👍 the clubs done a full 180. Not one over weight power player has been signed. All athletic, with age on their side.
Absolutely.
Its been a breath of fresh air, even if we don’t go great in 25, we are heading in the right direction.
Muz and Spark this is well overdue!
Remember that season we had Harper and Kelmer aa pretty much the only signings.
I said in another blog this coach has a plan! But, not just for now, also for the future. It is a breath of fresh air. And is chalk and cheese to what we’ve been accustomed.
Iongi and Joash will tear the Dragons to shreds (and others). We will see high tempo, high involvement from the back 5. Going from the slowest to one of the fastest. Panthers will regret losing Iongi.
True Pete and good points I really hope we tear those dragons up too 😂
Most definitely spark. Some fans will get impatient that it won’t be an immediate success at times. But you can really see there’s massive long term upside here with the young players we’ve recruited. I still think just having speed will see us cause teams heaps of issues. Imagine Dylan brown and Moses finally having speed outside of themselves. My guess is we will see the fox & Lomax getting insane amounts of tries. Fox is deadly in space. Lomax literally the best in the game scoring off kicks. It’s going to be a deadly combination. Not to mention iongi & papali’i who could support brown and our forwards when they off load or create half chance opportunities. It’s going to be really exciting.
Recording with Mark O’Neill today
Good read Sixties
Hi sixties,
As always, thank you for your updates. I look forward to each session and your views on how the team is progressing.
My question relates to the big boppers. Who is your suggestion(s) to replace RCG as a starting prop.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers Ant. Luca Moretti or Joe Ofahengaue