Eels fans would be aware that the NRL squad relocated to Lennon Head for preseason training last week, and TCT was proud to be able to bring you the observations of local Eels fan, Lenno Eel.
Along with over a hundred spectators, Lenno attended the Wednesday session and kindly lodged his report for readers of TCT.
As it turns out, Lenno was not the only Parra fan in attendance. It’s been a while since I’ve written a post, but it just so happened that my trip to the far north coast coincided with the Eels camp. What better way to mark a writing return than with a training report!
The Eels had been on the far north coast since Sunday (19th) and have trained every day other than Thursday which was a scheduled rest day. As it turned out, an enormous storm arrived on Thursday and the intense lightning in the area would have probably kept them off the training pitch.
The camp was a mixture of field sessions, gym work, conditioning, swimming, kayaking and just general “team together” activities to allow the coaching staff (which must number about 14 here) to better interact and get to know their players.
About 250 locals joined me to watch the players go through their paces on Friday.
The session was exactly what I expected it to be at this time of the preseason – let’s call it another cog in the wheel of their preparations. It began with low intensity basic skills and fitness in the first half of the morning, before building into a well executed scrimmage pitting the NRL team against the NSW Cup.
I’m no stranger to preseason training, and have watched sessions over a number of years. What stood out in this session was how lean, strong and fit the players appeared to be.
It’s not like the team were faultless in the hot and humid conditions. You’d expect the odd dropped ball, and there was. But considering those conditions, the standard of the scrimmage was very acceptable.
Watching Mitch Moses link with Dylan Brown, before the ball fairly sizzled to Zac Lomax and then Josh Addo-Carr, created a sense of anticipation and a promise of what is to come this season.
The dynamic duo – Moses and Brown
In fact, Lomax was a highlight for me and I’m convinced he will add so much to our team. Even at training his class is evident in the way he moves around the field catching every high ball in both attack and defence. He’s unstoppable when the high kicks are hoisted and excitement levels will be elevated every time he’s in such a contest.
Like many of you, I was a critic of our lack of speed in 2024. It will be totally different with Parra’s backline this season, and I witnessed some of that pace in this Friday session. Whether it’s fullback, centre, the wings or the halves, there are genuine speed options in the ranks of Parra’s outside backs this year.
Another area of concern that I had was the middle forwards. However, I think a rotation of a trimmed down Junior Paulo, Joe Ofahengaue, Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson, Luca Moretti, Jack Williams, J’Maine Hopgood and a very fit looking Wiremu Greig can get the job done.
Given Parra’s recent history, a major positive was that the team finished the session without any injuries. Of the players on the comeback trail, Bailey Simonsson participated in the field work and was chasing some through balls from Dylan Brown and running them back out from the dead ball line. He looks very fit, and though his knee is still heavily strapped, his mobility was very good.
The players mingle with local supporters
At the conclusion of the session, the players mingled with the fans who had fronted up on what was a very hot day.
Speaking to the players, they absolutely loved getting away from it all on the north coast and spending time together. It was a case of getting to know each other a little better, especially the new players. Actually, the opportunity to learn more about the players would have been just as beneficial for the coaches.
Dylan Brown said the facilities were fantastic, even if the beds were a little hard for his liking. Other than that, he thought it was a great experience that would benefit the team heading into the season.
The locals were very appreciative of meeting the players and indeed the players were thankful for the level of support they’d had all week. There were countless photos taken, and plenty of hats and shirts signed.
A light recovery session was planned for Saturday before the squad returned home.
Normal programming will resume on Wednesday.
Chris
Thanks Chris
Nice report and thanks for sharing this.
We are seeing a shift in the player training and also body shapes and obviously this is linked to how we wish to play and also Ryles style.
The key for me is defence and particularly winning the ruck area and our forwards being more dominant and having that ‘mongrel’ type that we have lacked.
Who do we see here as that type of forward leader??
Milo, two stand out. Firstly Junior who I expect to have a big season. The second is J’Maine Hopgood who is a leader of the future.
Thanks Sixties
Junior is a must for me. Needs to be v good all year
Jmaine and junior have to lead very well if we are to get back to top 8. After both taking half of last year off injured last season I expect they will be refreshed
I reckon the first proof is in how shredded Junior is in this preseason. The next will be his form.
Another great report thanks people. I really hope Junior has a good season. For mine he was dreadful last year especially in defence where he always seemed to be behind the play not moving up causing players around him to compress in to over for his failures and shorten up our defensive line out wide.
I would also love to see Grieg come back and show some form. He can be a very destructive runner of the ball and has a decent offload. He also likes to hit hard in defence. Sadly his fitness has always been below par..
Who plays on our edges will be interesting. I thought Cartwright was off the pace last year and our options don’t look plentiful and it’s such a key position for your defensive structure.
Thanks again for the reports.
Well done Chris. Am I reading too much into the mention of Hopgood? Was he involved in training?
How good is this!
We are everywhere.
Milo. When I was there Guymer and Tuivati were rotating in regularly too.
We might have a bit more depth than we think up front.
Cheers mate
Hey guys
Thanks for another great report . Been reading these training reports for years always amazing .
Who do you think will play in the 2nd row ? Has any particular player been trading there ?
From what I’ve been reading it seems like kelma is on the right with Moses . So who plays on the left ?
Mo, lock in Kelma. On the other side, Kautoga and Guymer are locked in battle. It might change but I see one of them getting the nod.
Sixties has carty been training at back row for the cup side?
No, on the edge.
For the cup squad at training? Just because I’ve seen you obviously say Tualagi is likely set, then maybe Guymer & Kautoga
I’m a big fan of Carty but I think he will miss out on a back row spot.
I think Carty and Lane will be starting the season in NSW cup
Giddy looks like a beast. Dogs fans said he needed a lot of work on his defence and fitness to be a regular 1st grader. If he and Kelma can go next level it would be a devastating 2nd row combo.
I reckon he’s in line for NRL.
Thank mate . Great insight . I’ve also heard penisini switching to left centrr and will be on the right , is that correct ?
Which side will jac play
It seems like Penisini will be on the left. Will the Foxx play beside him? I think so, but his suspension means that Russell will probably start there.
So he’ll start on the right wing ? Simonsson ? Is he right to play now ?
Simonsson is still working through his rehab journey. I can’t say more than that. Hopefully the club can put out another official update soon.
Both Kelma and Kautoga are great offensive strike forwards but they will both need to be fitter and faster to get off the ground to be the defensive player Ryles needs.
The plus side is Kelma looks lean and fit so hopefully that helps his defence.
Last year I think his attack shone but it wall papered over his defensive issues especially getting off the ground and back into the line.
I think this area of the game is where Guymer will shine.
Tony, I agree that Guymer has an edge there.
It’s interesting that Gideon (a rookie with noted defensive frailties) may have leapfrogged many existing eels players for a backrow spot – shows how we have had a real lack of talent in that area since ice and marata left + lanes poor form. Kelma and Gideon don’t exactly scream defensive solidity and work rate but I’m not watching training so they must be doing something right for coaches to be picking them on nrl team for scrimmages. I hope guymer can find a spot in 17 somewhere but I suspect he will start is nsw cup and build from there. A pack of junior, ofa, kelma, Gideon and hopgood is decent but obviously unproven. Bench of Jack Williams, matto, wiremu and a utility is bench better than previous years (assuming wiremu finds some form)
Weirimu will have to improve 300% to find a spot in the 17. He’s been consistently slow of the ground in d and tires after a couple of continuous sets. I know Sixties has said he’s looking much fitter. Hopefully he can get to that fitness level required
I’ll be very surprised if he’s in the 17.
I think Williams, Guymer, Matterson and maybe a utility off the bench
I tend to agree – I don’t rate wiremu in the modern game as he is too slow and lacks agility. Guymer is a better option to my mind (or even moretti if he can take next step). But if we don’t play wiremu that would mean we lack a big bopper off bench for impact (I wouldn’t have lane as prop as he also is slow and lacks workrate) .
We really need to resign tuivati and get him and mataele firing. If one of those two takes a step up to being a worthy bench option this year or next year the team looks much better
Great reports from the far North!!
Hopefully it’s a regular fixture!