A Saturday training session on a day where the temperature was expected to hit 43 degrees. To be honest, I was questioning my own sanity in attending.

To those concerned about such conditions, just know that all NRL clubs follow NRL protocols around this. Hydration breaks, cooling methods, and individual player monitoring are all part of the guidelines around the safety of players.

Furthermore, local weather data is continuously monitored at training sessions, and depending on conditions, there are occasions when the clubs will have to cancel sessions.

Yesterday, was surprisingly not as problematic as I expected. The session was scheduled for an early start (8:30am), and though the temperatures were already climbing, the “Kellyville Doctor” breeze was present and providing the necessary cooling treatment.

The new facilities at the Kellyville Centre of Excellence go a long way in assisting player welfare. Morning sessions provide ample sideline shade, plus the expansive gym area has the space to undertake indoor skills sessions.

In fact, when the players completed their opposed work on the field in this session, they were moved indoors for their tackle technique drills.

Interestingly, this all ties in with an observation that I had made during the full team opposed component. It seemed that there was at least one occasion when the players took a break not long after stopping for hydration.

As it turned out, it was all about the players not meeting the coaches’ expectations for execution at that point in the session. The instruction: go into your team huddle and work out how you can fix it!

This was all about ownership and self direction for the players. In a season where blue shirt trainers will have no field access during live play, thereby restricting their opportunity to relay tactical or coaching messages, it becomes more important for players and team leaders to think for themselves.

To be fair, quality coaches foster this trait anyway. Last preseason, I reported heavily on the learning environment created for the players. I watched some of the lighter sessions that only involved walk throughs of shapes, and it was like watching a classroom in action.

At different points in those sessions, the players were separated into groups of three or four where they had to talk about what they thought about the play. Not only did it mean that every player had to think about what they were doing, they had to find their voice in expressing their opinion, be it to a team mate or to the coaches if they were called upon.

An outcome was that it wasn’t only the team leaders speaking. From a coaching perspective it must have also been an insight into potential leadership from players who might not have normally seen themselves in that role but in these instances woukd have gained confidence by engaging in the process. The coaches also got immediate feedback as to whether the players rated the play!

As for the huddle(s) today, the eye test and the feedback said it worked with the self direction righting the ship.

Jerseys on

This Saturday session had a heavy football focus. Like last season, where conditioning was a goal and the timing and coordination of the work was controlled by High Performance Manager Matt Jay, the context was still football based.

The scenarios varied from defence disadvantaged drills to red zone attack and defence, full field opposed with transitions not involving kicking, and ultimately full teams with jerseys on.

My notes included the following:

* Part time dummy half Meni Luke providing an extra dummy half for the session

* Pezet and Papalii getting more time together as a pairing

* Joash’s passing game has improved on last season

Joash is developing as a ball player

* Iongi linking superbly in a left side shift to put the Foxx across

* Sean Russell running a strong line off Papalii to cross

* NRL defence was very strong today. NSW Cup were running their plays quite well but the NRL made excellent reads

* Pezet demonstrating great deception to score. Theoretically, each sides defence should know what’s coming at them, but there are options that go with each shape that the players can work with. They have the scope to play what’s in front of them and Pezet appears to be good at that.

* Charlie Guymer powering over from close range

* Foxx picking up a poor pass to still cross in the corner

* Fletcher’s clever light touch on a kick for Funa-Iuta to chase and score

* Twidle taking the tackle rather than throwing an unnecessary pass.i wrote about seeing similar in Thursday’s session.

* Big hit from Russell on Latu

It’s important to state that my highlighted notes usually don’t acknowledge the hard yards done through the middle, or the defensive work around the ruck. These are the cornerstones or the platforms that teams are built on.

Furthermore, I try to be aware of not hyping the younger players too much. I’m normally referencing the bigger moments in the reports, and often it involves the established players. To be fair to myself, there are around 40 players in a preseason.

As a consequence, I’ve recently barely mentioned Teancum Brown, Ryda Talagi, Tyrese Lokeni, Lorenzo Talataina, and Mo Alameddine. All have returned post Christmas and have demonstrated that they’ve deserved their opportunity to have an NRL preseason.

This preseason is unfolding fast. One more week at Kellyville and then the squad depart for their annual camp at Lennox Head.

Another shout out to the staff and players on their connection with supporters. Today, young Harlem was watching training with his mum Jami Lea, and he was invited by assistant coach Scott Wisemantel to welcome the players onto the field with some high fives.

Charlie, JDB and the Foxx with Harlem

Harlem’s response as the players said g’day was priceless but when the Foxx came down with his boom box and gave the young bloke a big hug, I reckon he had a memory he’ll treasure for life. Both Bailey Simonsson and Josh Addo-Carr later spent time with Harlem after the session.

Ryley Smith also came over to thank the dozen or so spectators for watching.

Bailey and Harlem

At the risk of repeating myself, these are not open training sessions with meet and greets. When players and staff take the time to interact, it’s always appreciated but can never be expected. It’s their workplace and each day is mapped out with a timetable that they adhere to. As such, these regular training sessions aren’t organised with time set aside for photos or autographs.

I’ve merely noted a couple of instances recently to highlight the importance that the coaches and the squad place on connecting with fans, especially the kids.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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