In a change to normal routine, Friday’s field session was moved to early Saturday morning as the squad moved towards a very different week ahead.

Like last year, players will be undertaking a few days of work next week, so the schedule will throw some new demands on the group, and it all culminates in next Saturday’s open training session at Fairfield.

There was also a change-up for those involved with the NRL Rookie Camp, a weekend event every season for the rising players at all clubs to be educated on various aspects of life as a professional NRL athlete.

Those involved this year, and therefore missing from the Saturday session, were Lincoln Fletcher, Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, Lorenzo Talataina, Ryley Smith and Will Latu.

NRL Rookie Camp

I’ve been asked about the non-return of other players to this point, including Toni Mataele and Ronald Volkman. I would assume that as the Eels NSW Cup team reached deep into their finals series, that they are probably due back this coming week.

As this Saturday session replaced Friday’s work, I expected a heavy defence focus, and it unfolded that way, with the session wrapping with an extended period of tackling technique.

Whereas last week involved a lot of one on one impact, this week zeroed in on winning control in that one on one tackle and taking the opponent down to the ground, then maintaining that control through to standing in the marker position.

A second defender was then introduced, with the two working together to peel off the defender and get into the marker positions. I noted that some experienced NRL players – Matt Doorey, Jack Williams, J’maine Hopgood, and Charlie Guymer – worked as a group  of four throughout and added a three person tackle to their drill.

There were other drills earlier in the session that concentrated on impact as well as positioning and foot movement, so this wasn’t the only defence work conducted.

Just on the impact work, it was a part of a conditioning circuit that I’m sure supporters will see at Fairfield.

Moving around the field in groups of four, the players first ran to a tackle bag station where they made repeated tackles, before heading to a station where the coaches would tell the group a shape that they had to run, before completing a running mechanics exercise and returning to the start, where they’d begin it all again.

Circuit in action

By the time the whistle blew to complete the task, fatigue had definitely been introduced. Dedicated conditioning runs, and relentless opposed drills kept the players lungs working overtime.

The ball work today was very sharp, whether part of running edge plays, quick hands drills, small group opposed or rapid fire up/down off the ground footy.

Reflecting on this, it augurs well for the overall ball skills of the team. Why? Today there was no Moses, no Pezet, no Fletcher, no Talataina, no Volkman, no Smith. Nearly all of the recognised ball players were missing.

On that note, I thought that Tallyn Da Silva really impressed during the session, especially in the unstructured stuff. He seems to thrive under those conditions and backs himself. He’ll run, he’ll throw the unconventional pass, it’s quite entertaining to watch.

It’s a blessed situation to have two high quality dummy halves who bring such different skill sets to the team. Ryley Smith gives the team so many one percent moments in a game, that you could verify him bringing over 100% on a weekly basis. He is also an emerging leader.

Then you have the unexpected that TDS will offer. Little wonder that Ryles quickly found a way to include both in his team.

This report could go into detail about the plethora of other passing, catching, kicking or football grip drills undertaken in what was just on three hours of work. Just know that it simply followed the pattern of the last session of the week being the biggest.

I’m looking forward to seeing who’s wearing the Tour De Parra shirts next week.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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