Here we go Eels fans. The incumbent first grade players are increasing in number with four more players hitting the training fields today.

It was a huge welcome back for Kelma Tuilagi, Luca Moretti, Sean Russell and Dylan Walker who were in the gym yesterday and on the training track today.

The returnees began their session with the obligatory Broncos run. There were four others alongside them, including Tallyn Da Silva, so it was possibly those who hadn’t done the test so far, but I couldn’t be certain.

What I was certain about was that both Sean Russell and Luca Moretti ran PBs.

The early pace was set by Tallyn Da Silva, then Sean finished off powerfully to beat him home with Luca close on Tallyn’s heels.

It’s impressive to see that these fellas obviously put in the work during their break to be able to return fitter than ever.

Back at work on Wednesday in the gym

The collection of players working in the gym became very vocal as Russell surged to the finish line. Perhaps they knew it was a PB?

I thought I’d try a different structure for this report. Less of a sequenced recount and more of an overview of the type of drills and games from the session. Let me know what you think.

Skill Drills

* All players – quick hands passing with Scott Wisemantel.

Wisey focussed on the players technique, making adjustments to their catching to help deliver a quicker pass.

* Dummy halves and forwards – ruck passing with Nathan Brown.

This was fairly basic compared with some of the other work Brown does around the ruck, but it was sharp and I can’t recall a ball going down.

* Outside Backs  – catching and kicking with Scott Wisemantel.

Focussed on the outside backs retreating to catch. They also practised executing and chasing their own kicks.

* All players – ruck defence with Sam Moa and Jason Ryles.

Different basic shapes were run at the defence line beside and behind the ruck.

This drill was all about precision with the coaches making minor adjustments to the positioning of the players and their movements.

As an aside, it’s amazing what sort of difference the slightest adjustment to positioning can make. Last year we watched Mark Gasnier make minor adjustments to where the outside backs would start when running lines of support. It might be a matter of a metre or less but it can make all the difference to the timing and position they are in when they arrive in support.

* All Players – Football grip with Nathan Brown

The drill was simple, picking footballs up off the ground using the left and then the right hand in quick succession

Games

* All players – Touch footy with all coaches

Various games inside small marked areas including two on two, three on two, four on three, four on four.

Many of these were probably defence focussed, trying to defend when outnumbered. But the unstructured attack that was being defended against was undoubtedly also being developed, especially in the “four on four over four tackles” games.

A couple of points to note.

Firstly, Joash’s footwork and elusiveness show up in these games. It was noted last preseason that he could avoid a defender inside a phone booth. There was more evidence of that today.

Joash Papalii

Secondly, Teancum Brown could be a player to keep an eye on. He’s strong, fit and has good lateral movement. He has been a mainstay of the Jersey Flegg team for the last two seasons, and will be looking to consolidate a position in NSW Cup this year. I won’t go bolder than that at this stage, as this is only the start of the preseason.

* Most players – Relay with Nathan Brown.

This was the first game after the football gripping drill. In a relay formation, the two footballs were picked up off the ground then carried and placed back on the turf for the next runner. I can’t confirm whether a punishment was in store for the team that  dropped the football.

* Most players – Football tag with Nathan Brown.

The second football grip game where the team in possession had to tag the opposing players using the ball. There were many improvised passes as teamwork was used to corner opponents for the tag, but of course the goal was keeping a grip on the ball.

One field session left in week two. I told you time flies.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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