Welcome to the Parramatta Eels Lennox Head training camp 2.0.
For the second year in a row, the Parramatta Eels have based part of their pre-season preparations at Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre in Lennox Head.
The Northern Rivers link comes through local legend and Eels assistant coach Scott Wisemantel, with the facility again proving an ideal training base.
New recruit Brian Kelly also grew up a stone’s throw away at Ballina and was a big hit when he invited kids from Cabbage Tree Island to the session on Monday.
Like last year, interest is growing each day with a rare chance for the Northern Rivers community to see an NRL team up close.
The players once again were accommodating for photos and autographs at the end of each session so far.
Meeting fans after the session (image via Eels media)
To paint the picture of the facility here, the training base for this week offers a full-sized outdoor field backed by an indoor training centre, with on-site accommodation allowing players to live and train in one location.
The indoor facility is filled with bikes and gym equipment and space for stretching, warm-ups and recovery.
Training ramped up on Tuesday when players were split into groups focusing on attacking shape, ball movement and creating opportunities on the run against moving defenders.
One of the standout elements was the ball work, footwork and general fast feet among the forwards.
Much of the energy and structure appeared to flow through veteran Jack De Belin, whose late footwork and slick hands consistently created space for teammates around him.
Charlie Guymer, primarily running with the NSW Cup squad, also impressed.
As training moved into opposed work, the humidity began to take its toll, but the tempo remained high.
Errors were addressed quickly, with no time allowed to dwell on mistakes before play resumed.
The players do well here to respond to the whistle, while quickly falling back into the shape to focus on the next play.
Among the highlights in the opposed sessions was Jordan Samrani spending time at left centre, with Sean Russell lining up outside him on the wing.
Russell was confident, covering significant ground and returning the ball strongly from the backfield. He also swooped on loose balls and kept communicating with Samrani as the Fox watched from the sideline.
JDB in action
Joash Papalii played five-eighth and looked dangerous in a roving role on short-side plays, keeping defenders guessing and creating opportunities for Tallyn Da Silva to dart out of dummy-half.
Tallyn Da Silva pulled the trigger twice and made inroads both times.
There were players from first grade sitting out during opposed work, while others rotated in and out.
It gave Jonah Pezut the chance to run the team at halfback.
Isaiah Iongi’s involvement on the right edge also stood out, especially with his combination alongside Pezet and Kelma Tuilagi.
One of the session’s highlights came when Kelma produced a sharp offload to Iongi, who sliced through the defensive line. This was something Iongi did on multiple occasions.
Matt Doorey and De Belin laid a strong platform through the middle with heavy contact and defensive control.
Team huddle (image via Eels media)
The session finished with high-tempo drills, including seven-on-five attack-versus-defence sets, shuttle runs, group fitness and extra conditioning work to round out the day.
For someone who does not regularly watch the Eels train, it was refreshing for me to see Charlie Guymer lead the way for the Cup players. He worked hard in both attack and defence, looked leaner and provided a strong voice in the team huddle.
A combination of Guymer, Will Latu and a fit and injury-free Richard Pennsini should give coach Ryles some selection options heading into the first trial.
Lenno Eel
Nice report and my annual thanks Lenno!
I’m in Lennox tomorrow. Is there a chance to drop by and have a look see?
Thanks Grunta. Yes 9.30am tomorrow
Hey mate. Thanks for a terrific post and for replying to these questions
If we find ourselves in that unusual position of having everyone fit at the start of the season there will be some very promising players who won’t make it into the Cup side. Charlie Guymer will if he doesn’t make the NRL 17 (or 19, whatever it:s going to be) he’s far too good to be running around in Cup.
We need to accept this – we aren’t going to be able to hang on to them all; we must anticipate losing some very able players to other clubs.
There will be quite a battle for spots Noel
Any idea on times the boys will be training tomorrow? Would love to have the chance to meet them
Hey Cooper. They should be finished between 1130am-noon. They will sign and take photos once they’ve completed the session
I drive down yesterday from Caloundra, 3 hrs each way with my 8yr old niece but so worth it. I was very impressed with how fit & slimmed down our forwards are.
Young fella’s were super impressive I’m sure they will get a go at some stage.
Allmadine playing on the wing smashed Will Penisini in a great tackle.
After training the signed stuff & took photos. They were all very humble & respective of everyone.
They gave away training shirts to everyone.
From the coaching, support staff & all players I’m very impressed.
Before training Nathan Cayless came over shook everyone’s hand & chatted.
Im loving the culture change & the way we are playing.
I’ve been a supporter for over 60 years, all my family are as well.
Can’t wait until the season starts. 💙💛
After (justified or unjustified) accusations of arrogance and a lack of engagement in the past it’s just lovely to read of members of the organisation teaching out to give supporters a sense of inclusion.
Definitely got a terrific culture of inclusiveness at the moment
Thanks for adding this reply on the post June. Appreciate your messages too. There is a lot to like about the way they embrace the fans.
Hey June. That’s awesome! Glad you got a good look at the team and had a great day.
Nice post June 🙂
Great post June !
Worth the trip June great to see
Will the boys be training Friday morning? If so.. what time will they start and finish? We attended last year and the whole team was so friendly, down to earth and very accommodating to fans. It was a great opportunity for locals in the area to meet the team.
Also interested in attending. Update would be nice.
Thursday 9:30 to 11:30 am
Saturday 7:30 to 9:30 am
Thanks June
Thanks June. Appreciate
Well written and positive vibe from all of the preseason
Lenno goes ok doesn’t he Michael!
He certainly does!
Still very unsure of this season and how things will pan out and one of those reasons is we are going into another season still without a full 30 man playing group. This seems to be a very glaring issue that has been happening back since the 2022 season. I know there are players that could potentially be lifted into the NRL squad but this has been happening now season after season. Given this has happened now under two different coaches you would have to question why this is still happening.
Most teams go in with around 28 at this point, you always need to provide for different opportunities that come along.
I don’t see the point of your post as a distraction for our overall season performance, you can argue subjectively from a make up perspective for ever! I will give you that.
The fact that this is happened from different coaches is maybe a reason to look again at your own logic.
Do you agree with the release of Lomax, even with the signing of Kelly, there is still a real lack of depth in the backline?
Sure, we have some wonderfully talented juniors in waiting but outside of the likely starting backline there is a considerable lack of experience available. Injuries have cruelled us in previous seasons and potentially could happen again if we lose one or two players early on.
The club have been lucky enough to jag a player like Walker during the season but it takes time for them to fit into the playing structures which given where the club have finished in recent seasons is important. Finishing the season strongly is just as important as starting it.
It would be nice to not start the season again hoping that we get lucky.
The signing of Kelly frees Russell to play wing and I think he is a very good winger. He will not give us the yardage Lomax did – Lomax is outstanding in that area. Samrani showed real potential last year and maybe could fill a gap in an emergency. We also saw very little of Volkmann last year because of the elite success of Hawkins. Volkmann is not very tall but weighs in over 90 ks. I believe that he has the making of an elite 6 and is big enough to play centre in an emergency.
So the cupboard is not entirely bare, though I would have liked us to pick up Tommy Talau – The Roosters beat us to him. We are also blessed with plenty of talent to play lock and Walker made his name as a centre. Charlie Guymer also has played centre and, in my opinion, needs to be fitted in somewhere.
I think we’ll be o.k.
I think the rules are you must have 28 players from start of games (March) and 30 by 30 June. Most teams are always 28-29 players by start of games
We were able to pick up Dylan Walker mid lsst season because we’d saved a couple of spots.
Nice post here and thank you, and you can definitely notice a change with the club since JR has taken on the role. Players seem keen to see fans etc and this is no shot at BA but maybe what was allowed to creep in.
I’m positive abt the season as long as Mitch stays fit and the forwards play as they did – Jr was key last year and he will be again but JDB will be there too.
Fantastic!!!
I see we have taken legal action against Zac Lomax, down for a court hearing on Friday
While it’s sad that things have come to this I’m pleased to see us enforcing our rights in this matter and we are far better off taking on Zac than Storm or the league. A court ruling in our favour would head off a lot of manoeuvring.