What a day to return to preseason – the sun blazing and the mercury already hitting the low 30s by mid morning.
And of course, a return to training after a break meant just one thing – testing!
The players might theoretically receive a two week break, but any bloke who’s let their conditioning drop is found out first day back. If you follow players on social media you would have noted some posts showing their workouts at local parks or in the gym.
Across most NRL teams, the standardised test used is the “Broncos” – a 1.2km run against the clock.
This morning the squad was split into backs and forwards for the test.
In the backs test, rising dummy half Ryley Smith absolutely smashed the run, likely setting a new club record as he finished off the course with an almighty sprint. (To clarify yes he did set a new record). The runner up was Zac Lomax.
In the forwards it was a tight finish with Jack Williams just edging out Dan Keir.
The forwards go through their paces
A notable inclusion today was Ethyn Martin. I’ve had a number of questions about his progress during this preseason, but a minor shoulder issue saw him leave the group early on. However, he was scheduled to return as soon as he was fully fit and that has now happened.
As far as the total squad was concerned, I haven’t received any feedback, but my gut reaction was that the staff would have been happy with the results.
From there, the session went into full swing. The squad remained split for a series of skills drills, commencing with passing and defence line movement, but then transitioning into work that was appropriate for their positions.
The backs moved through unopposed and opposed shapes before drilling their kicking and catching.
The backs in their drills
Meanwhile, the forwards practised linking in shapes through the middle, and like the backs, started unopposed before running against defenders.
The squad came back together to finish the morning with an extended period of red zone attack and defence.
It was essentially NRL vs NSW Cup, though there were player rotations adding intrigue to some continuing selection battles.
Initially, it was running through their plays for the last two tackles of the set. Possession was swapped after every set. As the session moved towards its close, the teams extended their possession to the last three tackles of the set.
Looking sharp
What did this mean?
The team could choose to work towards setting up on the 5th tackle or running an attacking play instead. A similar choice could be made on the final tackle, so it was interesting to hear the talk from both sides, especially from the defence.
Josh Addo-Carr talked non-stop, encouraging the team as a whole and building his combination with Dylan Brown and Will Penisini.
Attacking the line
I thought that the halves in both teams were in good touch. Of note was Dylan Brown’s kicking game and Ronald Volkman’s direction.
It was encouraging to see the variety in the play. The set up plays had points of difference, whilst a range of kicks were utilised on the last tackle.
It won’t be long till the first of the trials, so I expect training to really heat up over the next few weeks as players get serious in pushing for spots.
Stand by!
Eels forever!
Sixties
Yes! They’re back. Not the players but the training reports 😁
Thanks Sixties and it’s good to read some news about Volkman. I really hope he can be a top shelf fill in for the top squad if needed. He’s got it all and just hoping he can stay injury free. Good to hear Martin is back too. RCG is the biggest void to fill imo. I hope Jo has some quality opposition for that role.
Cheers Grunta. I’m liking the look of Volkman. You need decent quality halves opposing the NRL team in training and Hawkins and Volkman look like they’re getting that job done.
Does he play in any other position or does he purely have to wait until dyl gets injured?
Do you think if Mitch can’t play, soo or injury, would ron come in and dyl takes the 7?
Volkman has been training in the halves, but others see him having value at dummy half. I haven’t seen that as yet. As for the plans around injury, you also have to factor in Dean Hawkins who has NRL experience.
Thanks. I am interested in seeing who is competing for the 14 or match cover for the backs.
Joash or volkmann or is their an edge player that can cover centres or wing like marata did.
1 and halved i think is convered.
Wing i guess too by zac
What does this mean for Josh Lynn? Will he even get a start now in NSW Cup?
SO where does this leave Lynn? Is he still in the system?
Thanks. Big month of updates.
Indeed. It’s going to be a big month ahead Martin,
I wonder what this means for Ryley Smith being one of the fittest players at the club. I also noticed at the Fairfield markets training run that Ryley was the leading player when it came down to fitness.
Is he a chance to come off the bench in the earlier rounds, or is he ineligible to join the top 17 due to his top 30 contract situation?
No need to rush him Chief. But it’s his first nrl preseason, and he’s grabbing both reins and so deserves acknowledgement. I’ll tell you one thing. I was impressed with Reed Mahoney’s first preseason when he was elevated. Ryley has, in my opinion, exceeded Reed’s efforts. The next step is impressing in NSW Cup.
Yes I agree aswell. I just think maybe if he gets ahead of our second dummy half option- Lussick, maybe he can get onto the bench if he does impress in cup.
I’m just trying to find out aswell if he is on a development contract, or if he’s on a contract that doesn’t allow him to be in the 17 in the first half of the season.
He’s outside of those deals as far as I’m aware. You’ll note that there are a number of young players doing a preseason who aren’t on NRL or dev deals but who have a preseason as part of their contract.
Tks sixties, welcome to 2025, a year as a young guy I probably didn’t have any vision about my involvement! Note that Williams exhibited good fitness to complement the compliments in recent blog…i too am a big believer in his Eels potential.
BDon, my life in 2025 is nothing like I imagined I’ll guarantee that. As for Williams, he is going to be a significant addition.
I predict Williams will be a fan favourite by mid season.
Fair call
Great to hear the forwards practicing linking together in the middle, hopefully this reduces the one out bash up style we previously used.
That sounds like a deadly combo sixties..
If we have Dylan Brown, Will Penisini, the fox on one side.
It may even refresh young will taking on a new side and playing outside Dylan. They evidently have a strong relationship together.
You could imagine the cut out pass from brown to the Fox is going to be a hit for us. Have you seen evidence of this at training yet?
I feel like browns cut out pass is amazing, and the Fox is very good at icing those opportunities from cut out balls near the try line.
Muz, I really like what Will Penisini is serving up in this preseason
That’s awesome to hear. I predicted will, Dylan, and Sean will be amongst the players who grow / benefit the most. Hope Sean is doing well himself too
I wonder whether hopgood will do more ball playing this year. He was used more for his work rate by brad but he has the skills to be similar to isiah yeo for us if we want to play that style for periods of the game
I can definitely see that Ron
A GREAT READ SIXTIES are you saying will penisini will be playing on the left
It seems so. And that is a good thing – it seems will is being put on notice that he wasn’t good enough on his preferred right side last year and has to make way for lomax. Having fox communication and speed outside him will no doubt help him in defence which was a big problem last year
He’s looking terrific there
Mr Sixties, two quick question – Ryley Smith near record run – how would it compare against Gutherson – better or not quite there?
As a dummy half and running with the backs – he doesn’t count as a forward?
Did I say near record? I said might have been a record. Wink wink. He smashed it! It was freaking amazing! I guess he ran as part of the spine.
Hey Sixties, was Brown, Penisini and Fox on the left or right side? I’ve been unsure what sides Penisini and Lomax would play, both are right centres I thought. Thank you, go Parra
I expect Will to play on the left.
Are you saying that will penisini is training on the left
Good report Sixties.
I’m really looking forward to hearing the intensity of these sessions. Remember we were the kings of the fade out in games (and being visibly gassed). There’s a few people from last year that have to lift a few notches. I’m glad the newbies are setting the standards.
Spot on Pete- a few who need to aim up more consistently
Pete, I put the 2024 fade down to our errors in possession putting our defence under pressure. The thing is, this side will be very, very fit. Have you listened to our podcast with Buckets as yet?
Hi Sixties,
A few good points from MON.
Communication, Cohesion of coaching staff, power game v endurance…Depth.
I dred what would have happened if BA remained in charge last year and this year. We had become stale and stagnant and this happens.
But the most instructive description of the problems 2023 and 2024 are found in the rugby league eye test article. The avg 49th minute fade ( basically we didn’t come out after half time). That indicates its not simply errors. We had the team that peaked briefly and rapidly deteriorated and fitness and mental fitness were limited.
Thankfully, we have avoided arguably consecutive spoons 2024 and 2025 if we remained with BA.
https://www.rugbyleagueeyetest.com/2024/04/29/the-parramatta-eels-have-learned-nothing-from-last-season/
We cannot whitewash or ignore the past two seasons (negative or positive) we need to identify the problems so as to avoid them reoccurring.
I fully support the change of direction.
Good report 60’s – it will be good to see us in action as I’m keen to see how fit we are as in comparison to previous years; and also our defence and how this transpires.
As long as we have less injuries to key players than previous and improve defence we will be better.
The tempo of our play in both attack and defence will be the most noticeable change you’ll see.
Importantly, I think we’ve got a core group to lead the way here.
Storm have the best tempo arguably in the comp and Jason was a major coach there. It’s not surprising.