What happens in a session when the squad don’t deliver what the coaches want?
Let’s just say they don’t gloss over it.
I’ve written in the past that mistakes aren’t a problem in a session. It was the same for me as a teacher. Learning comes from having a go and making mistakes. In a preseason training session, between 60/40 and 70/30 execution/failure is that learning zone.
Coaches don’t want to set the bar too easy, but if the error rate is coming in too high, something is either wrong in what has been set for the session, or the effort/focus is not what it should be.
And so to this session. At the midpoint of the opposed work, the mistakes came in a rush. Ryles wasn’t happy and he let them know. Good!
The immediate result was a lift in standard.
For well over a decade, I’ve attended and reported on Eels pre-seasons. My focus has always been to report on what the squad is doing well, but if a session or parts thereof could be better, I’ve noted it. I won’t rip into individuals, but I will report if it was scrappy or there was too much dropped ball.
Given that this was the final session before Christmas, held on a Saturday morning, it was important to keep the collective minds on the job. And apart from the aforementioned mid-session collection of errors immediately addressed by Ryles, it was job done.
Just quietly, I think the coaches appreciated the opportunity to reinforce the message, “this is what happens when you don’t stay focussed.” It was actually a valuable lesson they could deliver.
Warm ups
As for the structure of the session, it went from warm ups, to defence line footwork, to three on three micro drills, to left side and right side attacking shapes and defence. Eventually, the full team opposed kicked in with “games” of four tackle footy, followed by extended periods of attack and defence in the red zone, before going back to smaller spaces with five vs six and six vs seven.
I have a list of highlight moments because, despite a period of errors mid session, there was plenty to like. But before getting to those bullet points, there was a moment in attack that required special mention.
Obviously, providing specifics on the play is something that the coaches wouldn’t want me to do. So I’ll simply say that there were bodies in motion, great deceptive lines run, and Mitch Moses showcased his acceleration.
The defence would have known it was coming. But the speed of the execution was stunning, and it left the players and coaches cheering even before the ball was put down for the try.
Try time
The following notes are from any of the opposed work, but mostly the 13 on 13:
* Intercept by Volkman who continues to be a strong presence in testing the NRL team during opposed work
* A terrific ball from Moses to Joash for a try
* JDB’s professionalism. He looks every bit the experienced and focussed forward that the club sought to add
* Confidence and composure of Lincoln Fletcher
* Moses linking with Iongi – don’t forget, their combination was limited in 2025
* Dylan Walker delivering a clever pass to Luca Moretti for a try
* A crash ball from Ryley Smith to Kelma to cross the line
* A superb backhand offload from Kelma
* Terrific hands from the Foxx on the end of a left side shift but a great slide in defence from Richie P to cover it
* Charlie Guymer putting Richie through the NRL defence line with a superb pass
* Tremendous footwork from Will P to break the line
* A kick ahead for Gideon to regather and score
* Ryley Smith’s selective pass to put a rampaging Toni Mataele through the line for NSW Cup, with Ryley backing up to score
* Moses taking a break with Joash taking over at 5/8 and Pezet shifting to the right side
* Tallyn Da Silva throwing a short ball for JDB to crash over
At the end of the session, there seemed to be a number of messages delivered. Not unexpected, given that the players now have a 15 day break for Christmas and New Year.
Final messages
As for The Cumberland Throw, we will keep the content coming your way over the break. Please make sure that you have a listen to our recent special podcasts.
Mark O’Neill provides great insights on the season just gone, the key moments and people, as well as what lies ahead. Richard Foda and Darren Adam, two of the Parra Leagues Directors, then provide members and supporters with important updates from the Parra Group. As owners of the Eels, the strength of the Parra Leagues Group will help to drive future success. One club, Parra Proud.
To all of our readers, our TCT community, I’d like to thank you for your continued support and wish all of you and your loved ones a very happy Christmas and New Year. May it be all that you hope for.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Sixties, there are reports that Kelly has signed; any truth?
It’s disappointing but probably understandable that we will lose Sean Russell next year; does anyone know the differences between the Perth and Parramatta offers?
And finally, thank you to you and the team for your invaluable efforts in keeping us informed.
Happy Christmas
Noel, I haven’t heard anything from within the club about the Kelly signing. That’s true to form about them keeping a lid on negotiations. However, the external talk is strong.
As for Russell, it was probably a combination of length of contract and coin that saw Perth better Parra’s offer.
Echo thought from above and merry Christmas and NY to yourselves and your families. Keep up the good work.
Cheers Glenn
Nice to hear Joash & Pezet getting in reps together 💪
Sean Russel played well in 25’ but we must not forget a large % of his defensive improvement was playing inside of the Fox we his coaching him all game.
If you had sivo outside of Sean all season the Perth bears probably would not have signed him – there’s a lesson in there.
Whoever fills in Sean’s spot after he goes, so long as they are physical and can be coached, they’ll likely also play well inside of Josh Ado Carr.
Any news on Simmonson? Guys injured again? We need Kelly asap and also Richie P to have a nice pre season. It sounds like Baileys injuries are going to leave our outside back back stocks very venerable… 🫣
Saw Bailey stretching out on Saturday. He’d have a program to work through in his time off. People shouldn’t forget how fast he is.
Sixties Bailey is good as most of us would agree and fast & strong too
Issue is obviously reliability due to his history of injuries
Hopefully Bailey is healthy soon and gets in good preparation for 2026
I’m afraid if he misses much of the pre season his defence over next to Will P will be average and concede tries
Bailey needs as much time as possible in the systems, we all know his yardage game is really good
It’s only his injury’s and Lack of time under Jason’s defensive systems which cause doubt within my mind
Another year almost done, all the best to you for Xmas and 2026. Each year life gets a bit slower and simpler, if you told me 40 years back that Gardening Australia and watching the Eels would be my favourite entertainment I would have thought ‘half right, but it’s now fully right and TCT makes the Eels even better,a full year, wall to wall experience. Many thanks to you and team.
Cheers BDon. No holidays for TCT, no off-season.
Thank you to you and your team sixties, as usual your reporting standard remains high in what has been a difficult year for you . Have a great Xmas and a better 2026 cheers
Thanks Jonno. It has been a garbage year on the personal front, but the support from the TCT community has helped. Wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas.
Can you provide more context to JDBs professionalism
What does he do different or above everyone else , what impresses about his training exactly or demeanour
Though they are different types of players it reminds me a bit of when Beau Scott was at the Eels. There’s like this sense or aura that he means business out there. My early impression is that he is focussed and does everything well and competes. His positioning, the lines he runs, he looks like the seasoned player that he is. Even a little thing like getting over the line for a try in opposed, the defender was doing a good job of holding him up, but he kept fighting to ground the ball. I’ve seen many times at training where a player might just accept the tackle. He didn’t. These are just early observations, but people have seen photos of the shape he’s turned up in. He means business.
The other comment about Jack – he is a truly hard man. We won’t be seeing those disgraceful surges through our centre we saw in 24 with him on the field.
That he is Noel.
G’day 60s and 4020 I don’t text too often but watch every single podcast and read all comments on this fantastic site the Cumberland throw firstly I like to say a big thank you for all your content that you guys have provided all year makes my week so much better listening and hearing everyone opinions I’ve only met you once 60s I think it was Kellyville Oval. I had a good chat with you unfortunately I live in the east suburbs I would love to see more training of the mighty eels. Also a big thank you to 4020 your right wing that’s for sure. Very knowledgeable and a good person to have on your side. A big Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you guys and hope everything goes very well with your mother 60s cheers mate. All the best Ray Z.
Thanks Ray. We both appreciate people introducing themselves to us at Kellyville, at CommBank or at Parra Leagues. Thank you also for the kind words regarding Mum. The battle continues there. Here’s hoping for a happy and healthy Christmas to you and your family mate.
Merry Xmas and happy new year 60’s and 40/20.
Love the content, keep it up fella and here’s to a winning’26.
Merry Christmas to you and your family Mick. I get the feeling that Eels supporters will have more good weeks than bad in 26.
Thanks for the continued updates. It will be interesting to see how we progress in 2026.
The reports are the little light at the end of my off season tunnel much appreciated.
Sixties, Forty and all TCT contributors, thanks for your contributions. A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
Thanks for your support and involvement on TCT Namrebo.
All the best for Christmas and new year to you and your family.
Thanks TCT, merry xmas!
Cheers Matt. Have a great Christmas mate
Thx sixties and forty. Great site, but what i like most of all, that its all about football – the way it should be.
Merry Christmas
Chiefy1
Thanks. Merry Christmas to you and your family Chiefy.
Thanks for the right up and also the year of footy. It’s been a good year tbh with the team and changes made – Ryles has put his stamp on things.
Great to see the young ones come on and also come on when they are ready besides working closely with the top team.
Well done TCT to all and Sixties hope you can have some time for Christmas 🎄 as well as time with your mum.
Another great season of work by the TCT team. Feels like 2026 is shaping up to be a strong year for the Eels – and it would be great to get some Team List Tuesdays in the finals next year
And we will back in 2026 to support the TCT and the website so that you can continue to provide the top quality content and stories for the fans of the might Eels!!!
Go Parra