The trials are now done and so the preseason comes to an end. Regular visitors to TCT would have noted that the training reports have recently been conspicuous by their absence. There are reasons behind that. Frankly, the conditions have…
Eels Pre-Season Training Report – February 11, 2022: Ogden Demands Selection
A question for BA. Can you find a place for Ofahiki Ogden in the top 17? Maybe I should word that another way. How can you not select Ogden in the top grade? After recent sessions it’s surely impossible to…
Eels Pre-Season Training – February 7 & 9, 2022: Preparing For The First Trial?
At what point will Eels training narrow its focus to preparing for the upcoming trials? Monday’s session left me believing that such preparations had begun. After watching Wednesday training, I had more questions than answers. Let me explain why.…
Eels Pre-Season Training – February 4, 2022: A “Hazey” Morning With The Chance of Ice
It’s not unusual for wingers to provide highlight moments during a training session. Given that opposed work is a type of match simulation, there will be opportunities created for the fast men out wide. There will be spectacular finishes, and…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 14, 2022: Focus On The Footy
Full contact opposed? I’m here for it! When that serious footy component starts taking over at preseason training, the opening round feels that little bit closer. There was no shortage of highlights today when the full contact opposed work became…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 10, 2022: The Countdown Begins
Welcome to the first Eels preseason training report of the 2022 calendar year. If it’s felt like an eternity since the last report, that’s because there’s been more than three weeks between my posts. The sessions held before Christmas are…
Eels Preseason Training – December 15, 2021: Game On!
Parra’s preseason is now getting real. I apologise to any players who might question how the kilometres in their legs don’t count, but when the sessions start to include serious opposed work, it’s game on for me. Call it my…
Eels Preseason Training – December 13, 2021: New Subject Or New King?
It was a toss of a coin for the biggest news to emerge from Eels training today. Was it the arrival of recent recruits or the potential dethroning of a reigning monarch? Let’s begin with the first sighting of Bailey…
Eels Preseason Training – December 6 and 8, 2021: The Movers
This training report was commenced on Monday afternoon, following the completion of the morning field session. It was before the news of Ray Stone’s move to the Dolphins was broken. I will include a brief comment on that at the…
Eels Preseason Training – December 1, 2021: Ready To Start? No, Starting Ready!
The “holiday” is over. Resplendent in their new training gear, Parra’s most experienced NRL players finally returned to their Kellyville HQ. It should go without saying that senior players don’t spend the off season with their feet up on the…