Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, fellow Eels footy faithfuls, it’s difficult to believe but the Eels NRL preseason has officially come to an end.
It only feels like a few short weeks since the task of bringing together a new coaching staff and many new faces on the roster began. In reality, it’s been over three months.
And though it’s still another four weeks till the first game of the Eels 2025 campaign, the job of preparing for specific games begins next week, and that’s when I have to bow out with these reports.
I will post a review of the preseason next week, and try to make some predictions, but this is the final training session report.
Joash Papalii probably provided the final word towards the last minute of today’s session. I’ll leave that as a teaser, with the details at the end of this report.
Friday morning sessions have often been the most memorable during this preseason. There’s the potential for anything to happen with the intensity at its highest of the week, and the football component at maximum.
All hell didn’t quite break loose today, but the players would surely sleep well after a physically demanding session.
I thought that Dylan Brown was outstanding. He left nothing in the tank, and when the straight line running was used to introduce fatigue, it was Dylan leading the way.
The early part of the session built towards the main scrimmages with left side vs right side opposed being the main curtain raiser. The sides were mixed, with NRL and Cup players both alongside each other, and against each other in this drill.
Scrimmage action
When the full field scrimmage commenced, I noted the following:
* A strong, tackle breaking run from Samrani
* An ankle tap by Addo-Carr on Will Penisini as he was about to stride into open spaces
* A big kick chase from Kelma Tuilagi who had raced past defenders with the ball just beating him to the dead ball line.
* Confident kick returns from Haze Dunster
* The Foxx being extremely vocal with both encouragement and getting into them when needed
* Carty scoring after spinning out of a tackle close to the line
* A try to Arthur Miller-Stephen
Artie – image courtesy of Eels media
* A massive hit up by Matto against the NRL
* A line break by Dyl who found Iongi in support for the try
As is typical on a Friday, the session concluded with players donning jerseys to practise their tackle technique.
Jerseys on, receiving instruction for their defence drills
I wanted to conclude my final training report with an anecdote from the extras.
The outside backs were working with Scott Wisemantel on grounding the ball inside the corner post. Fans often marvel at how wingers can score those spectacular tries when their bodies are airborne and completely over the sideline after being hit by a defender. The answer of course is, they practise it.
Scott had a bump pad, and as the players would dive into the corner, he’d “help” them over the sideline. It produced a collection of the spectacular and the odd dropped ball.
Joash (image credit Eels media)
As they reached the conclusion of the drill, Papalii produced a funny moment for all when he feigned to dive and instead stepped back on the inside to score and celebrate. I’m not sure what everyone enjoyed the most, his footwork or his joyous celebration.
This drill and this moment encapsulated so much of what I’ve enjoyed watching during this preseason. The hard work, the attention to detail, the skill enhancement, moments of the unexpected, the new faces and their impact, the camaraderie and the group enjoying themselves.
It was the ideal final note.
Teams usually don’t try to show their hand too much in trials, so I’m not sure what to expect from the Eels before round one. There’s more preparation on the way, but none that I’ll be reporting on.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed these reports as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing them to you.
My thanks to all of the Eels staff and players for making myself and other visitors so welcome at training. These aren’t open sessions, but the message has been clear that supporters are valued.
Remember to stick with TCT as we will continue to ramp up our content into the season proper.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Thanks for all the preseason reports, Sixties. Here’s hoping for a great injury-free season with a top 4 finish.
Touch wood Leigh
Yep thanks for your hard work and dedication 60s.
The Dylbags/Iongi break and try caught my eye. I hope that provides a boost to overall team confidence and Dylbags in particular. While our issues have been less about scoring points and more about defence, being more dangerous across the field will hopefully translate into positives across the rest of the game.
That Dyl/Iongi try was a good moment wasn’t it!
Great read thanks for all your training wraps etc sixties ..
GO PARRA
Cheers Warren
Thanks 60’s.
I too took particular interest the point about Iongi backing up a Dylan Brown line break.
How many times have we seen Dyl stand in a tackle for what feels like forever only to be left stranded and ultimately turn a half chance into a slow play the ball.
My thoughts as well mate
Exactly JonBoy. Hopefully those times are a thing of the past.
Thanks for these reports Sixties. I’m more pumped for the season than I thought I would be, because of reading these.
I wasn’t sure what to expect either Josh. Now I’m really looking forward to the season.
G’day sixties,
Popped down on a lone Thursday a few weeks ago and was looking to come down again next week. With training shifting towards game prep I wanted to check in and see if Tuesday would be a good day? Totally understand you may not know what the next few weeks look like!
Cheers,
Ollie
Hey Ollie. Yes it was good to meet you. I’m not aware of times or days next week at this stage. Either message me again or try the same time as your last visit.
Thanks, Sixties. Much appreciated. TCT is always a great read. You keep the footy fires burning through the long and hot summer. Go Eels.
Thanks McFersie. Appreciate the support
Thank you for all the enjoyable reads over the past few months—I’ve really enjoyed them from here in Germany.
One thing I haven’t seen much discussion about, either here or among the bozos on 1EE, is Longi. How is he settling in? Has he gelled well with the team? How does he look defensively and within the spine?
Thanks Francois. I’ve referenced Iongi (yes it’s an i at the start of his surname) a number of times. He brings speed to both sides of the game – attack and defence. He looks at home. We were privileged to have him spend about 15 minutes with us after training last week. Good bloke and he’s really pumped for the season to begin.
Thanks 60s for your efforts really appreciated. I’m feeling confident for the year.top 8 for sure if we get a fair go on the injury front. Looking forward to the trials to see a glimpse of how we attack and more importantly defend
Yes, it will be just a glimpse and the first minor measuring stick.
Thanks for all the reports Sixties. Throughly enjoyed reading them this offseason. Up The Eels!
Cheers Up. Better times ahead in 25.
Amazing post thanks mate 🙏
Awesome to hear Iongi is doing exactly what we predicted & hoped he would be able to do…
Finally offer the sufficient speed & support to back up Dylan brown when he creates opportunities.
Exactly Muz.
Great reports mate. Just curious as to how much involvement there has been from Mark Gasnier at training. I think I only recall you mentioning him once. Thanks
He was there once a week during the period before Christmas, and I believe he was with them at Lennox Head. I haven’t seen him since Lennox Head but I’m only there for an hour or so in the mornings.
Thanks for providing some excellent insight into one of the most intriguing preseasons for some time. I can’t wait to see the team in round one. I’m expecting a very different Parra to what we have become accustomed to and an enjoyable season.
May the post game reaction podcasts be full of joy in 2025.
That’s the best wish we could possibly receive Shaun.
Thanks for providing the preseason updates, the youth, speed in the backline is welcome, but I’m looking forward to a tighter defensive attitude, which I hope Ryles will instill in the side.
And I pray that the release of Gutho, doesn’t bite the side in the ass.
His commitment and professionalism will be hard to replace and I feel it’s a two way call, if the side responds well without him, then the monkey is off Parra’s back, but, if defensively the side looks more vulnerable then, many may critics will point to Guthos departure as a step too far.
Still, a season of renewed promise lies before us.
I think The loss of gutho may be noticeable early maybe as the new fullback and few new players find their groove in a new squad first year playing together. I think we made the right (long term) move, gutho looks at the end of his time. This next 2-3 seasons gutho will be out of the nrl, and a few of these new young guns will be new stars for parra. I support Jason’s long term thinking, even if it has hick ups this first season post gutho.
I think we all saw that Gutho was still one of Parra’s best on a weekly basis, but we also all witnessed the limitations that were arising. I didn’t think he’d depart but I had expected a different role. We can only wish him well, but not when he plays Parra.
Agree mate I wish him well and he is still good. Just hopefully has an off day when he vs parra 🙂
Thanks Sixties. I must admit have no idea what to expect from the boys this year. Losing our skipper sucks but I follow Parra so I’ve moved on. But how will they play? How will training convert to performance? Do we have the boys to make the top 8? Will Ryles get the boys running consistent? I actually have no idea whatsoever.
Thanks for these reports. I do love the off season training. Every team is at least optimistic at this stage 🙂
James, all of that is so true. This year is very much an encouraging unknown. Time will tell where it takes us.
Thx Sixties, I great coverage of our beloved Eels, it is such an exciting time! I look forward each week to the podcast. Thankyou so much for all ur effort, U and the team Go the Mighty Eels
Thanks Raven. Three podcasts coming this week!