Tuesday’s field session was a step up on Monday in terms of both the combinations and the loading.
After warm ups the rest of the session was a combination of working on a particular attacking shape or two, both with full and partial opposition, more foundation skills in both attack and defence, and a healthy dose of fitness work. For mine, it was a session that focussed on precision and effort.
First cab off the rank was walking through an attacking shape that the coaches were introducing. It was full opposed between the Cup and NRL, with each team taking their turn at either attack or defence in the red zone.
However, there was no intensity as the players literally walked and jogged through the shape and its options.
This was followed by the first slab of conditioning for the day, then left side vs right side drills.
Full opposed for two plays was next cab off the rank and a few moments stood out for me:
* A terrific defensive read by Will to shut down a potential line break
* A superb inside ball to Matt Doorey who was running a great line and opened up the defence
* Moses and Pezet linking in a few shifts
Halves love (image Eels media)
A period of work focussing on defensive effort was next on the agenda. The squad was split into two groups for simultaneous drills.
The first group was a game that had limited defenders against an attack and required effort on effort, scramble and communication to shut it down. The second group was involved in defence line movement with up/downs and multiple series of forty metre runs. Both groups were coordinated to start and conclude at the same whistle.
Quick notes from the game:
* Great short quick passes from Lincoln and Apa to create a try
* Massive defensive effort from Tallyn to shut down a try tha drew praise from Moa
* Terrific hands from Moey Alameddine to pull in a low pass behind his legs to score
Towards the end it looked like the squad ran the red zone attacking shape they worked on at the start of the session, only this time it was done at pace.
Again I made the following notes on individuals:
* Apa Twidle scored in a great play between himself and Joash
* Jezaiah Funa-Iuta busted the line and came up with a great one hand offload that should have resulted in a try, but it was put down
* Joash engaging the line and passing for Araz Nanva to score
* Superb ball from Guymer to JDB to break the line
* Ball playing from Doorey to set up left side attack for a Foxx overlap
* Walker putting Sam Tuivaiti through with a clever ball
Foxx awaiting the pass (image Eels media)
More defence, conditioning work and extras rounded out the session. I’m expecting to see Brian Kelly at Thursday’s session.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Nice report Mr Sixties, it’s starting to wet the appetite. Still two months away. Your thoughts on the progress of Nanva – please.
Can I ask you to explain the impact of the extended bench when it comes to HIA and a serious injury – say an ACL. I mean losing a player should automatically be replaced from the extended bench so as to not unfairly punish the team. Please – what’s the deal with this? Three HIAs was ridiculous and two is not much better. Player welfare would have them replaced after one.
The matter of send offs is finally being raised. My suggestion is – a player sent should not punish the team however there should always be a penalty of some sort. This is what the NRL should implement. Send the offender off then the team plays with twelve men for ten minutes and then a replacement should be allowed to make up the thirteen. The offending player has his own punishment – via the team and the MRC. This obviates an unfair balance and an unnecessary burden on the team and fans are not left lamenting particularly where the MRC find the referee or bunker in error. And we know that is not beyond possibility.
I like your send off idea 058. Makes a lot of sense.
Mick, I explained below that my thoughts are more with the team that had to deal with the illegal shot that warrants a send off. They deserve a benefit, not the next opponent, especially if they lose a key player. Cynically, softening the consequence also opens the door to deliberately taking out a specific opponent. It might be very unlikely but I think back to the old Origin days and the sort of instructions given to blokes like Geyer. It happened like that
Hey Zero. Nanva has thrived in this preseason. I reckon he has impressed the coaches. As for the HIA rule, the 18th player can be used after two HIA assessments have ruled players out of the game or if an illegal tackle has ruled out a player. Is this enough? Debatable.
As for send offs, I believe that the benefit must go to the team who suffer the illegal act against them, especially if they lose a player. If it’s a star, why should the team the next week or two get the benefit of playing against a team without a key player, regardless of them being back to 13 the following week. So my attitude is that if it’s a star is a clear send off, then the team has to cop it.
Mr Sixties you are a hard man. I understand your reasoning but, it does, in some sense, unfairly punish the team. We could better direct that punishment to the offending player.
It will be interesting how Nanva progresses. Take care and keep those reports rolling in