Tuesday was the annual Fox League promo shooting day. The broadcaster’s drone was working overtime capturing images that are compressed into just a few seconds on the rugby league channel’s season promotions. To think that these hours of filming take place at all 17 clubs just to achieve a short promo.
On a side note, I’ll be stunned if Foxx’s entry to the training track with boom box blasting won’t be part of the content used.
Towards the end of the session, Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh called in with his youngest son, Dodge. As I noted on the podcast, he was having a coffee with Caylo in the cafe after training, and I grabbed the opportunity to say g’day and have a couple of laughs.
Hindy is looking very relaxed and very hirsute. Although, looking at the photos posted later by Bryan Fletcher, a haircut and shave courtesy of Kelma might have been on the cards.
Kelma Kuts had a customer yesterday (image via Bryan Fletcher Instagram)
As far as the training was concerned, it commenced with the squad broken into two groups.
One group consisted of the halves and forwards who worked through a series of drills. The other was the outside backs working in pairs with short kicks and catches.
The squad then transitioned into running through some shapes, then micro defence drills of 6 attackers against 4 defenders. This work is all about the scramble. It’s fast paced for both the attackers and the defenders and it’s filled with both improvisation and effort on effort moments.
From there, it was time for opposed red zone footy. Both the NRL and Cup teams received extended time in possession, and conversely in defence of the line.
My notes were as follows:
* Twice Gideon ran off Joash to break through the line.
* Pezet’s precision kick for Kelma to chase and score
* Pezet not pushing unnecessary passes, but instead holding the ball and taking the tackle
* Penisini’s “tip-on” pass for Simonsson was superbly executed, and not for the first time this preseason has Will delivered that quick ball
* NRL defence was almost unbreakable – good communication and line speed
* NRL defence finally cracking with Talataina showcasing his elusiveness.
Red zone
The Foxx sat out most of this session, but was yelling instructions whilst looking on. As if that’s a surprise! Josh Addo-Carr is totally invested in everything he does. He brings the vibe, the camaraderie and the energy to the squad. When the work gets tougher, he calls out “we love it”.
And he’s a smart footballer. He talks constantly throughout sessions, then mentors younger players during extras. Look at the development in Sean Russell after spending a season playing alongside Josh.
To top it all off, Foxx is one of the leading lights with fan connectivity. He talks to supporters like he knows them. The kids absolutely swarm to him. Make no mistake, the club knew he would bring this aspect to PARRAdise.
Overall, this was one of the lighter sessions, certainly in terms of duration. The next session on Thursday is an open training event for members in what is billed as a Member Appreciation Day.
In addition to the training, there will be meet and greet opportunities afterwards, and plenty of fun activities and food options for the kids.
Don’t forget to register to attend (see your Member email) and also take advantage of the shuttle buses before and after the event.
Next week the Eels head to Lennox Head for a week long camp. The Cumberland Throw will have a special correspondent in attendance for reports and the odd photo.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Has ado car picked up an injury?
G’day Sixties!
Is there a program for the Lennox training that we Northern Riverers can organise ourselves to get to?
Keen to know this too. Would love to get out to a session next week
Any observations re Brian Kelly? Is he training with the squad yet?
Kind of wish eels juniors got a bit more coverage in nrl media, always see a load of pages glazing other clubs when they seem at worst comparable to our best juniors?
Like so much social media attention on Woods and Walsh from the dogs and manly and nothing for sgball player of the year who’s at the eels?
I’ve seen alot about Haywood at the tigers who from memory ended up on the bench for aus schoolboys behind coinakis who started.
Not a huge thing but gets abit annoying when those same media pages question a pezet signing for 1 year when the answer is right there. Same with the JDB signing.
I understand the sentiment but promotion leads to expectations from the player and agents. All the clubs have recruitment people out there who would already be well aware of these young players and the promise they have
Thanks Sixties for the reports and early season analysis. 👏
Like many I’m looking forward to the pre season further and also the beginning of the trials albeit they don’t say a lot but more keen for combinations etc to be shown.
I’ll be in touch Sixties re training as I’d like to come out one morning when I can.
Good to read abt the leadership and displays from JDB. Only a benefit for us with the experience and the help he will show with our strong youth on the rise.
There is no way the Storm are going to let go any of the three players nominated by Sarantinos
Looks like Lomax to remain on vacation.
Only one I could possibly see is Utoikamanu and that’s only if they feel confident on signing tino from 27 onwards.
On the bright side I don’t know what other fans opinions are on Stefano but I’m still a big fan of him, especially if you partner him with Paulo and have him around coaches like ryles, MOA and cayless I think he’d shine.
Compare it to the Koloamatangi signing where Koloamatangi is probably better at this point but you’d be getting a 25-26 year old Stefano compared to a 29-30 year old Koloamatangi.
You get stef just before where you’d expect him to peak and he takes over for Paulo eventually whilst our young gun props develop.
My only stipulation would be getting him for atleast the 3 years that lomax was supposed to have.
He’s said himself he still has a soft spot for the club and if you have him for 3 I reckon you could convince him to stay for longer.
All this is probably a pipe dream though, knowing the NRL they’ll probably step in and allow lomax to go for nothing at all.
Imagine if we DID get Stefano Utoikamanu. It’s not 100% impossible. I’m a HUGE fan. I cried when he left the Eels
Yeah .. Stefano .. I don’t know.
Personally, I think hes massively over rated but what do I know ?
Coates is the only swap I would entertain but the Storm want that vertical threat on both flanks so..
Lomax is such a rat, I’d let him kick stones.
Coates is the only like-for-like. The other 2 would need balancing up with cash or another player but I’m not sure about this whole notion of tapping blokes on the shoulder and saying ‘we re flicking you dude to solve a messy problem’. Also the way value is established would include roster fit, and again Coates is a good fit. We just have to make sure we get the right value, or no deal, in fact, there is perhaps a case for Lomax/Schifkoske to pay a premium for overcoming a poor situation of their own making, or another way of saying that..they should have to pay for their ‘get out of jail’card.
I can’t see that Melbourne would have anything to gain be swapping any of the three nominated players for Zac. I don’t see a deal going ahead.
Can you imagine the back room deals and phone calls that the power brokers at Melbourne are making to NRL heavyweights to facilitate a deal here ?
That board has some of the heaviest hitters in business.
I applaud the Eels for standing firm but I would imagine that PVL and Co will be putting considerable heat on the Eels to bend over and cop it sweet to placate the Storm board all under the pretense of PVL wanting the ” best players in the game to play”
If the Eels are counting on the NRL to assist them they are counting in the wrong teammates.