Conditions to start this week could not have been any different to what was faced last week. Gone were the forty degree temperatures. In their place was clouds and drizzle in what could easily be called a chill.

But you have to love Monday field sessions because they mean that we learn the Tour De Parra shirt winners from the previous week. It should be noted that this recognition reflects the entire training program, not just the field sessions.

The recipients of the shirts were as follows:

Charlie Guymer – yellow (leading trainer)

Jack De Belin – spots (team first, hard yards)

Lincoln Fletcher – white (strength)

Will Penisini – green (pace and power)

Those of us watching on a Monday usually try to predict who will be wearing the colours as they emerge from the sheds. We got at least two correct this morning.

Charlie Guymer in yellow and Lincoln Fletcher in white during warm ups (image Eels media)

My mail is that JDB is already highly regarded by the squad. He’ll have a point to prove in 2026, but as I observed in earlier reports, he looks to be a total professional on the training paddock. I’d expect him to be highly focussed in his role on match days.

I had the opportunity to congratulate him on receiving the spot shirt as he left the field today, and his reply, “thanks, it’s an honour mate.”

Charlie Guymer has gone from strength to strength this preseason. I referenced a few moments last week that caught the eye. One was where he powered over for a try. The other was putting on a pass for De Belin to break the line.

Finally, there was his decision to tuck the ball under the arm and take on the defence when a pass to him broke down a set play that they were trying to execute in the red zone. It is not uncommon to see players still try to throw a pass, but Guymer treated that moment like it was an NRL match.

Likewise, Will Penisini attracted about three individual highlight mentions in last week’s reports, involving both attack and defence. All supporters will be looking for Will to hit the ground running at the start of 26.

Now to Lincoln Fletcher. What’s encouraging about his shirt is that it’s in recognition of his work in the gym. The rising half has impressed on the field, so it’s impressive to note that his positive attitude extends to the heavy lifting.

Just a quick note on rehab.

There are always multiple players working in rehab or modified training during any preseason. It can be anything from a long rehabilitation program, through minor twinges that they might battle through in the season proper (muscle tightness), to simply a load management decision.

Sometimes, the players work with trainers out on the field. At other times they might be doing off the feet conditioning in the gym or on bikes on the sideline. Regardless it doesn’t require mentioning in training reports, nor is it my place to be able to comment.

However, in the case of Bailey Simonsson and Ryan Matterson I receive many questions from fans as both have been on well-known longer programs. It is now good to report that they are getting time on the field during the opposed. Simonsson might be a little more advanced on that journey.

Today’s session was like most at this time in the pre-season, heavily football based.

Position specific skills featured early in the morning and saw the assistant coaches taking groups of players.

Nathan Brown had the halves and dummy halves working through their passing, positioning and timing. Scott Wisemantel was firstly back wearing his favourite turtle pad for protection as the outside backs practised their jumping and catching before they executed a variety of short kicks. Sam Moa had forwards taking the ball into contact and drilling ruck plays.

Red zone opposed, right side NSW Cup defence

Red zone opposed followed, in addition to more micro attack and defence drills.

My notes from the opposed component are as follows:

* Impressive footwork of Joash Papalii to beat defenders and score

* Bailey Simonsson finishing off a try set up by Isaiah Iongi

* Quick hands from multiple Cup players, especially Will Latu, in an impressive left side foray

* Gideon Kautoga combining well with Joash Papalii

* Incredible defensive energy and effort from Ryley Smith to get across the field to shut down a potential NSW Cup line break

* Great ball play from Apa Twidle to set up Araz Nanva to score

* Foxx sat out the session but emerged from the gym to work with Cup outside backs in defence positioning during extras

TDS fires out a pass (image Eels media)

The NSW Cup players deserve praise for their collective effort and execution today. Whilst they benefit from the rotation involving some of the likely NRL starters such as Smith, Da Silva and a number of forwards, they continue to ask questions of the NRL team in opposed work.

This is not just critical from a depth perspective including the competition for places in the lead up to the premiership opener, it is also important that the NRL team faces quality opposition throughout the season in their weekly preparations.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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