By now, many of you will have seen the Eels media coverage of their male pathways club training on Saturday.
Every grade from Harold Matthews to NRL trained together in a session that covered attack and defence drills, followed by conditioning work. That meant over 150 players utilising the four fields that sit alongside the James Hardie Centre of Excellence buildings. The fifth field which sits behind the centre was not in use.
The process itself ran like clockwork. The Matts, Ball, Flegg, Cup and NRL teams began proceedings with warm ups in their own teams. Each player had been allocated a group number. Then when the siren sounded, they moved to their appropriate starting station on one of two fields to commence attack drills.
The players begin to file onto the fields
Those in attendance were witness to the engagement of the players from the start. That opening siren was greeted by excited cheers from the teams, especially the NRL players, as they moved to that first station and greeted the others in their group.
You can imagine what it must have been like to be a young player meeting, let alone training alongside, star players. For the 16 and 17 year olds who are at the start of their Eels pathways journey, this will be such a memorable moment.
G’day Jordan and Sean
All of the four fields had been set up prior to the session so that the players first rotated around a set of attack drills across two fields, followed by a set of defence drills on the third field, and finally conditioning work on the fourth field.
Given the total club coaching philosophy, with pathways coaches also spending time in the NRL preseason, all players would have been exposed to most if not all of the drills before today.
Sean at station 4 – image via Eels media
However, the younger players would not have been exposed to the standard that elite players can execute at training. As such, the experience will be valuable in their development, and the moments of mentoring/advice that occurred during the session will be incredibly beneficial.
A drill concludes (image via Eels media)
At the conclusion of the conditioning, the players and staff came together for a series of group photos. Each team then took a field or space for their own team training.
For the NRL, that meant opposed work. Some of it was working through set plays or shapes. Later, it included yardage work from kicks.
For me, that meant the following observations:
* Increased game time for Lachie Coinakis in the NSW Cup team
* Ryda Talagi impressing with strong carries with footwork into the defence line
* Defensive agility from Tyrese Lokeni
* Jonah Pezet delivering a delightful pass in contact in a left shift shift that created a line break
* Matt Doorey continuing his strong form in passages for both the Cup and NRL teams
* A play involving Dylan Walker that put Tallyn Da Silva into open spaces
* Sharp hands in a left side move that put Foxx outside his opposite
The group photos are taken
The morning concluded with the players undertaking Matty Jay’s circuit run – a testing exercise at the best of times, let alone after around two and a half hours on the paddock.
One week left before the Christmas break.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Brilliant.
Love seeing this whole club (male) session, hopefully things like this galvanise the players more and the lads rip in next year.
Sixties, were the female team coaches (Steve G etc) present as well?
Thanks as always for the reports
Steve Georgallis was there as he is also the Coaching Director for the elite pathways program.
Sixties, do you agree that we’re seeing a level of professionalism from The Eels that we’ve never seen before? What a memory for some young men who, in reality, won’t quite make it as long term professional footballers.
Is Sean Russell bigger than last year?
Firstly, Sean seems to get bigger on a yearly basis, and if you meet him in person you’ll get a better appreciation of that. As for the professionalism, that’s a fair observation. But let’s also be realistic, the new facility makes it possible.
Russell has been looking beefed, hopefully he’s in for an even bigger year. Really starting to find his spot in the top grade
Agreed Sebastian.
I watched at the video eels released where the players kept saying one club, parra proud and I thought I saw Neemia.
Do you guys have any updates on those JF players who won’t be eligible next year? I know Lynn and Dom are gone. What about Raf, Neemia, Spence, Samuela, etc
I reckon I spotted Damascus also.
His bow-legged swager is unmistakeable.
Hope he is still there.
EA, I have covered what I know thus far in earlier reports and the podcasts. RAF I believe has moved to Queensland alongside Dom. Spence is in the NSW Cup squad as is Artie Miller-Stephenand Daniel Tupou. Elie El Zakhem has rejoined the club. I’m not sure whether Damascus or Samuela have aged out. If they are still eligible I’d imagine they are still with Flegg, but I can’t confirm or deny that at the moment.
I had an interesting chat the other day.
The Eels board are massive massively in love with what Ryles has bought to the club and these sorts of moments of solidarity show the directions that his philosophy goes in.
The board just couldn’t be happier and without denigrating BA (who bought his own skill set) neither have the players who absolutely love the place. Obviously this has shown in the latest survey.
I’m told that the board is ultra keen in locking Ryles down to an even longer contract, way past his 2029 end and discussions are ongoing.
The Eels are fully aware that the Storm and Roosters are sitting there, all cashed up and ready to pounce.
I hope they do. Ryles and his team have been a breath of fresh air.
It wouldn’t surprise me if they lock Ryles in. He seems to have a total club approach.
What about Matto, what’s he likely to be doing in ‘26?
He has a contract for 26. There is no news beyond that.
Great initiative from the club. Between having all of the NRL players on hand, even if some are in rehab and having the junior reps on hand before their trial matches start, there would be an incredibly small window. Imagine being a 16 year old and you’re lining up next to Mitchell Moses, Josh Addo-Carr to do fitness drills? It would’ve been an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. I hope it continues into the future and eventually the women’s competitions can line up so that the girls get the opportunity to have a big training day too.
There’s a highlight you noted that also ties into what Ryles said on the Johns’ podcast with how he wants us to attack next year. Just like we saw at the end of the year I believe we’ll be a team that people will enjoy to watch and we won’t be attacking like everyone else.
For sure mate. can see us playing a really attractive game. And hopefully our defense continues to improve happy days ahead
The crazy thing is if we improve by just conceding 1 less try per game we would have the 4th best defence based on the 2025 regular season, if that increases to 1 converted try per game that means we end up having the 2nd best defence
If we can improve our attack by 1 converted try per game and concede 1 converted try less per game we would end up with the best points differential alongside the storm. I guess it’s easier said than done otherwise everyone would just do that.
Definitely better times ahead .I’m excited
Ham, the early feedback I’ve had from pathways players is about that opportunity to train alongside the best of the best.
I really love the passion that ryles is trying to instill. If I don’t post before Christmas 60s and 40/20 merry Christmas to you and your family. Really appreciate your time and passion that you put in
Team spirit seems fantastic
Thanks Tanky. Merry Christmas to you and your family too.
Very good to read this post and great to see Ryles ensuring the club is one and for all. Love it. Hey Sixties, the news today about Russell and being hounded by Perth…what is his contract status pls? Would be a shame to lose him after this season, but i get it.