The Parramatta Eels identify as a Development Club. That means that the club’s pathways system, the integral process for developing home grown NRL players, is a priority. It’s likely that not many people, outside of those closely connected to Junior…
Another pre-season has come and gone. Not a typical one, mind you, but no NRL club has been an island in this regard. COVID didn’t just wreak havoc with last season, because the late conclusion resulted in minimal time on…
The pointy end of the preseason is now upon us. When we get to trial matches, training tends to shift into premiership rounds match mode. What does that mean? The collisions in the opposed work ease up a bit…
Move over James Tedesco. In one of the more spectacular moments I’ve witnessed at Eels training, powerhouse winger Maika Sivo decided to re-enact his 2020 collision with the Roosters superstar fullback during this morning’s opposed session. And unfortunately for Jordan…
How close are we to some serious footy? Here’s the quick rundown: * Thursday, February 18 – the players with 12 NRL games or less in 2020 are eligible to play in the Eels vs Dragons trial at Kogarah *…
A full squad of referees. One team in the Blue and Gold, the other in the white alternate jersey. There’ll be no contrived play simulations. No handing the ball back to one team because the coach reckons the other team…
Compiling these training reports over an entire preseason has its challenging days. It is, after all, a long period of time to cover a similar activity – getting fit and preparing for a football season. And there’s a philosophy to…
Spoiler alert. If you’re not a Blake Ferguson fan, this report is not for you. The effusive praise to follow will leave you questioning my objectivity. That’s fair enough. It is, after all, just training. Nonetheless, I reckon I’m a…
What would you do if it was the back half of the preseason, your squad was very fit, and you wanted to keep them physically and mentally fresh? I reckon the solution was a session henceforth referred to as “Friday…
Is there anything in rugby league more beautiful than watching the big blokes ripping it up on the footy field? Though the aforementioned question is, in my mind, rhetorical, I’d have no shortage of punters echoing my sentiments based…