Hello old friend. It’s good to be back. Returning to the normal training report schedule feels like climbing back into the comfortable chair, beer on the table beside me and remote control where it belongs – in my hand. With…
Eels Pre-Season Training – November 20, 2019: They Hit Them All Morning Long
Defence wins titles. It’s a truism applicable to all team sports, not just the NRL. Nonetheless, the 2019 NRL Grand Final epitomised the importance of defence as a 12 man Roosters team held out the Raiders for a critical period…
Eels Pre-Season Training – November 18, 2019: With A Little Help From My Friends
All in! That’s the philosophy of the Eels club and their supporters in the charge into 2020. As Trent Elkin asked some tough physical questions at Old Saleyards today, there was strong evidence that the players will be all in…
Eels Pre-Season Training – November 15, 2019: Hit And Run
It’s the last day of the first week of pre-season training. You’ve got about a third of the squad in attendance. You ease into the weekend, right? Wrong! Though I wouldn’t describe this week as the most demanding week of…
Eels Pre-Season Training – November 12 & 13, 2019: The Kids Are Alright
Watching training on Tuesday wasn’t in my plans. With Monday’s opener done and dusted, the next field session was set for Wednesday. The team was only due to work on basic shapes around set starts on Tuesday. However, a bit…
Eels Pre-Season Training – November 11, 2019: Hello. Hello. It’s Good To Be Back!
Off season? What off season! There’s certainly no rest for the wicked on TCT. But when it comes to NRL footballers, it’s an eight week break and then the pre-season kicks in with all the good stuff, like conditioning runs.…
Eels Pre-Season Training – Wrapping It Up Edition
With only a Captain’s Run to go, today’s opposed session wrapped up the major preparations for the Eels opening round clash against the Panthers. My training reports concluded in the week of the final trial at Penrith, but there’s a…
Eels Pre-Season Training – February 26, 2019: The Names Shine
For much of this pre-season I’ve highlighted the inspirational contributions of the Eels younger brigade. I make no apologies for that. They’ve added a new dimension to the preparations for the year ahead. The tight bond and determination of these…
Eels Pre-Season Training – February 22, 2019: Can We Talk?
After a brief recess, it’s back to business for the Eels pre-season training blog. With the team training specifically for their Canberra trial last week, I suspended my reports. The annual school blitz has been on the agenda this week,…
Eels Pre-Season Training – February 11, 2019: Maika-ing It Interesting
What is it that all NRL clubs hope to have with their roster? Obviously you want your players in form, but first and foremost you’d like to have everyone available. Today, the Eels took another step towards that goal with…