Does it feel like there’s been no off-season? Given the Ashes tour and Pacific Championships, have been building since season’s end, it’s been wall to wall football and I’m not complaining.
As I set about writing up the report of this first session of the Eels preseason, I decided to prep by looking back on the first report from November 2024.
Only 13 players rolled up on day one last season, with Charlie Guymer being the most experienced in a class of rookies. Riley Smith and Jordan Samrani would go on to make their NRL debuts alongside Joash Papalii who had his first training session two days later.
That session was mostly skills based with the coaches looking to strip back and then re-develop the fundamentals with the squad. Speaking of coaches, it was the initial outing on the “clipboards” for Jason Ryles and his assistants – Nathan Brown, Scott Wisemantel and Sam Moa. It was also the first run for Head of Athletic Performance Blair Mills.
Heading out on to the training track
And so to today.
A greeting from each of the staff and many of the players as they took to the field was a terrific way to kick things off.
There were more players on day one this preseason with eighteen of them (I might have missed one) fronting for their first track work for the 2026 season. Once more, it was mostly an opportunity for the new generation. By my calculation, thirteen of this group played in Eels junior rep teams, whilst only J’Maine Hopgood and Joash Papalii didn’t come through an age team at the Eels.
The group was as follows:
Forwards: J’Maine Hopgood, Ryley Smith, Charlie Guymer, Sam Tuivaiti, Will Latu, Saxon Pryke, Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, Ryda Talagi, Teancum Brown, Tyrese Lokeni, Lachlan Coinakis
Backs: Joash Papalii, Richie Penisini, Araz Nanva, Apa Twidle, Lincoln Fletcher, Moey Alameddine, Lorenzo Talataina
Lincoln Fletcher
If I’ve missed a player I will add him in as soon as I get the mail. The players looked to be amped about their return to training and the talk was good.
From a staff perspective, Blair Mills has since returned to New Zealand, so today was a welcome to Matthew Jay as he took on the High Performance Manager role.
The session kicked off with warm ups and the obligatory 1.2km Broncos test. It was difficult to assess each individual but as expected Ryley Smith led the run. I also heard positive comments about the performance of Araz Nanva and Lachy Coinakis.
Ryley Smith
Some skills work and core plays followed. It commenced with play the ball drills – from peeling off the tackled player to taking up position behind the ruck.
From there Sam Moa worked on the footwork of the players moving off the line to make a one on one tackle. We know that the Eels defence improved last season, and key to that was the speed off the line and the lateral mobility of the defenders.
The main part of the session concluded with passing skills. The quick hands drill saw Sam Tuivaiti showcase some of his magic, then the passing on the knees drill culminated with a race between the three groups. There’s nothing like a little bit of healthy competition to add to the enjoyment of the footy being back.
Lachy Coinakis
During extras, Nathan Brown worked with the dummy halves and forwards on some ruck plays, and Scott Wisemantel took the outside backs, throwing up some high kicks for them to catch.
Apart from having a few extra players, the major difference between the first day of training last year and this was how quickly the group nailed the drills. I took that as evidence of the adoption of NRL training methods and drills across the lower grade and junior rep teams in 2025.
Day one…done.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Seen Farrugia has been released. Is AMS still with the club? Hope that Petrus, Popo and maybe Rokusuka get a chance for a pre season too.
AMS wasn’t included in the farewell post parra put up on their socials awhile ago so I can only assume he’s still with the club. Hopefully he can get an injury free run for awhile once he returns, would love to see him get a full cup season on the wing.
Not sure on AMS. He was doing rehab at end of season so maybe it’s a late start for him? I’ll Chase that up. Dom off to Roosters I believe. The other boys might be preseason next year. Petrus was involved with schools footy
Given Petrus is still 17 fair enough.
Really hope Popo gets a chance. Absolute gun in SG Ball. Best forward by far in that season. Was finding his form in JF towards the end of the year after that leg injury in the Ball GF.
Great to have the pre-season training blogs back 60s. Even better to hear and see how many young players are on hand for Ryles and co to work with
It’s another step up from last season with the young players
Thanks 60s. Always look forward to your preseason wraps. Good to see the future NRL players in action.
You’re welcome Sec. I need to be back!
I can’t begin to say how much I value this fraternity of those who share a tragic love of the eels and in particular the investment of time spent in creating invaluable reports like this one; that someone is prepared as the eyes and reporter for the group at preseason training truly is an effort deeply valued.
I don’t get to see much of games below NRL level, often just highlights glimpses but several of the young men reported as at training seem to me to be elite prospects – I remember seeing Eric Grothe in a third grade grand final in the ups and thinking “Holy shit!” Several of our youngsters seem to me to be not far off that level of potential. It’s wonderful to get a report on their progress at training.
Thanks to The Cumberland throw for making such a valued contribution to so many lives.
Thanks 60s looking forward to the pre season updates. Appreciate the dedication
Appreciate that Tanky
Noel, I appreciate your support as always. The young blokes are not just talented, they are good citizens and ambassadors for the club.
Thanks 60s for your posts, they’re always looked forward to thru a long preseason. Interesting Hopgood in squad, thought he’d be classed as senior player and due back later. Will be looking forward to reports on progression of Talataina and any new players able to consolidate their position in forwards or backs (wing or especially centre) as season continues.
Glenn, he dropped in to do some work on Monday but I don’t think he starts back full time for a couple of weeks?
Oh where is Da Silva, thought he’d be there?
I think he’ll be training on Thursday
Love this time of year. I finished watching the NSW v Qld one day cricket and later get to read an NRL pre season training report. Heaven.
Appreciate you getting out to watch for us 60s and reporting back. Reiterating Noel’s comments. Some of us don’t get to see much below NRL so to have some eyes and ears out there is such a good way to find out who is coming through every year.
Cheers.
Cheers Namrebo. It’s very rewarding to watch and report on pathways footy and then document the journey of the players to the NRL training squad and eventual debuts.
Love the pre season reports, bring on 2026.
Thanks Matt. Writing them gets me pumped for the season ahead
Thanks 60s, your dedication to provide eels fans with regular content which otherwise will not be available is very much appreciated,
Cheers Adam. Means a lot to get kind feedback.
Thanks Sixties, I will be following closely and hope to come out soon for a look. Thank you again and hope to hear and read more.
Looking forward to catching up soon mate