Week two of the Eels preseason has commenced and that should mean the return of more players. A little bit of digging revealed that those players are expected on Wednesday.
That said, I did spot Matt Doorey at the C of E. He didn’t take to the fields for this morning’s session so he might have been focussed on gym work.
Aside from the training, there was a large group of people taking a tour of the facilities. There was certainly an air of anticipation about the walk through and then the opportunity to watch training.
With the imminent return of experienced players, the consolidation of skills, along with some system fundamentals in both attack and defence looked to be the priority.
At this same point last year, with just a small group of emerging players in attendance, the coaches emphasised to us that the first week or so was about ensuring that the young players were given the best possible preparation to succeed.
How do we measure whether that goal was achieved?
All of the 14 players from that group last year competed well against the seasoned players when they returned, then the following players all went from week one rookies to NRL debuts: Joash Papalii, Sam Tuivaiti, Ryley Smith, and Jordan Samrani.
Ryley Smith from rookie to NRL star.
Furthermore, Charlie Guymer added 16 first grade appearances to his two caps in 2024.
Will we get four debuts from this 2026 collection of preseason rookies? It’s arguable that the talent pool is even stronger, so maybe.
So to the Monday session.
After warm ups, the first drill involved a four on four in a small playing square. Like many other drills, it was possible to see the attack and defence skills in play, with fast ball movement attempting to get past a fast moving and sliding defence line.
From there, the coaches were running unopposed basic attacking shapes, which then transitioned into running shapes at defenders, then from there at staggered defenders.
Simultaneously, there were middle forwards practising their positioning, movement and passing in linking with halves. It’s interesting watching a young half like Lincoln Fletcher learning more about how to position himself to link forwards and backs at a senior level.
Lincoln Fletcher
Lincoln has enjoyed a couple of strong seasons in junior reps, including Australian Schoolboys selection. I rate his running game as a strength, so the development of his game management skills during an NRL pre-season will be highly advantageous.
A period of rapid fire four on four followed. This was relentless unstructured footy for just one or two plays. Like last preseason, it looked like there was a conditioning component to it, though I suspect that it’s also a familiarisation with some of the different types of drills that will be used this preseason when the full squad is back.
As always, defence was a key feature of the session. And like last year, the drills are delivered in a learning scaffold – eg, it starts with individual (one on one) movement and footwork From there they typically have a partial or full defence line movement against different structured play the ball scenarios.
Unfortunately, I had to leave Kellyville before the session was over so I missed the conclusion and the extras. Never mind, there’s plenty more training days to be watched before round one.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Already seen the fallout of the pezet signing with coby black leaving broncs apparently. Would have loved pezet on a long-term deal but he isn’t a legitimate 6 so I’d like the gamble on taltaina and if it all works out in the end it’d be kinda cool that our potential future halves pairing both played sgball together aswell
Whether players can transition from pathways stars to legit NRL careers is the great unknown. The talent can be there, the investment in time and coaching from the club can be there, but there are so many intangibles. When you realise how many players are in elite pathways squads every season, and the small percentage that have a career, it’s astounding. You can go back through the past programs of finals days in junior reps and there will be the majority that you’ll never hear of again. Of course you might get an outstanding group here and there, but you can’t have those sheer numbers passing through on a yearly basis and have any significant number graduate to NRL. It would be an outstanding achievement if team mates from a junior reps team became halves partners.
I’ve asked before but didn’t see if you’d answered, but where do you see Saxon Pryke & Brock Parker ending up ? Are they legit NRL prospects or is that a bit beyond them at this stage ?
Judging by the photos I don’t think Parker is still with the club. He is like Makatoa. A work horse that puts decent numbers in cup but not that next level to play NRL.
Pryke is 22 this year and for me it’s his make or break year with the other juniors coming through. I personally dont think he will make it.
I thought I read somewhere that Parker signed with falcons a sunshine coast side in qrl
I thought that was Lynn
Pretty sure I read it’s both. Only read it a couple of days ago
I am actually going to keep an aye on T Brown over Pryke this year. Just his body shape and athleticism is something we don’t currently have.
Parker and Lynn both went to the Falcons. Saxon is in that mobile lighter 13 category. He’s got a terrific motor. I’m keen to see him get a full uninterrupted season in Cup.
Hi guys,
Big fan of the page. I’m just wondering are these training sessions open to the public to watch ? If so what days do they train on the paddock ? Would love to take the young bloke
Cheers
Hey Spencer. You can watch them from the cafe verandah at the new facility. They usually train on the field in the mornings every day except Wednesday which has been indoors session over the past two weeks. The times can vary. If you arrive around 10am you’ll either be a bit late or a bit early but you’ll typically see a chunk of the session. But remember, I don’t work for the club so the days and times could change without public notice as they aren’t “open sessions”, meaning they don’t plan or cater for supporters wanting to watch and meet players or get autographs.