EARLY DAYS BUT they look STRONG

My contact at parramatta training tell me that the pre-season is very high quality stuff and definately an increase in tempo on last years preparation. Early indications from my source is that new boy SHACKLETON is really impressive, doing extras and looks the part, whilst the younger blokes MITCHELL, ALLGOOD are showing good signs with both getting early exposure to the big boys. Both have plenty of mongrel and ability.He said that there is no talk about the GF and the result and that the focus is certainly on getting fitter and dominating the ruck area. You might find that they will be a little leaner this next season, with forwards competing longer etc. My source said it is the best start he has seen in years. Just what we want to hear. No GF hang over, and plenty of hard fitness. Said the new boy PELE was FIT and HARD but obviously whether he can lift from the Qld Cup to NRL remains to be seen. My source doesnt get excited easily so It makes me think that we are on the right track........ bring on 2010.th

Without getting too carried away...........I'm starting to smell something special in the air for Parra in 2010. Looking at the roster for next year there seems to be a great balance of experience and emerging talent - and a great mix of outstanding ability ( Hayne, Inu, Mortimer and more ) and just hard-working mongrel ( Hindmarsh, Reddy et al)...Really excited bout what Poore and Shackleton bring to the table and looks like they will add more starch and a bit of fear factor to the pack. Also looking forward later in 2010, depending on injuries and form, to seeing glimpses of Humble, Pele, Mitchell and the other emerging Eels.

I know I'm going back a bit ( yes, I have hit a half-century) but it's the sort of vibe that was evident in late 1980-1981. Again, don't want to jinx the boys....but this is one season that I am REALLY looking forward to enjoying - even though the competition will be more intense and tighter.

"It's why Lomax is such a big in for us this week.Im surprised alot missed this after seeing our back 5 pretty much got smoked coming out of trouble.
Lomax pretty much always finds his front and without a doubt there's a penalty or 2 coming Parra's…"

"Ryles mentioned Guymer last week as one that is improving every week, so Ryles believes in him it seems. Though in same media conference he did not give Smith to big of praise, was a bit stand offish about committing to him as our future Hooker.…"

Replies

paul taylor November 23, 2009 at 8:54pm

Sorry guys used the ' source one too many times '. He is involved in training the team so knows what he is looking for and what is required.
YDIDISAYIDO November 23, 2009 at 9:19pm

Will be an interesting start to the season. Just about every player has something extra to play for.

Tahu coming back from union... poore and shackelton would want to prove themsleves.

Inu, Mateo Cayless, Ben SMith (I think), Grothe, Burt, Mortimer, Foi and more are off contract. You would think they would be playing their best footy early on.

Then there's SOO and 5 players at least aiming for the 6 and 7 jumpers.....

It will be a different sort of season to last year. DA might have to pace the team to ensure they don't peak too early.
Dan_Ref November 23, 2009 at 10:14pm

if we play to our full potential , we could be looking at one of the most dominant years in quite some time.
- EelLectric > Dan_Ref November 24, 2009 at 9:04am
  
  Very true. Show me a team that, according to sources close to the team, are NOT training the house down, and I'll show you a $2 Rolex. At this stage of the year, every coach, conditioner, physio etc etc will say their guys are looking great. Have you ever seen a coach come out in pre-season training and say "I'm really worried about us to be honest. We're looking a bit fat, very slow and the guys just don't seem to care."
  - GOGOGROTHE > EelLectric November 24, 2009 at 12:17pm
    
    LOL.
    
    This is what Brian Smith WOULD be saying if he was straight up telling the truth....
- Eeldarado > Dan_Ref November 24, 2009 at 10:06am
  
  IMO we have had the potential for a very long, long time!!!
  
  Our biggest problem/issue , Im sure is psychological self confidence both individually and as a team , many times in the start of last year DA questioned the players commitment and pride and RIGHTLY SO what happened in the next 6 months was this amazing ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT turnaround and full credit to the players but i tell ya what DA has done in a short space of time is simply a miracle..
  
  The players at the back end of last year are starting to believe in themselves and importantly in each other, the players now know what they are capable of
Bourbon Man November 24, 2009 at 8:50am

It's well documented that we have several players coming off contract at the end of 2010 and with a couple of back-ended deals to Tahu and Hindmarsh, it is to be expected that we'll lose a few for 2012. The players know this, the coaching staff know this as do the fans. My fear is that desperation to win the GF in a year where we have the most realistic chance might stymie the players from playing in that natural, irrepressible style that saw us so successful this year.

On the plus side, with some new blood in the team, there's less chance we'll come into the season stale as was the case in 2002.
Garry Euston November 24, 2009 at 9:14am

Without getting too carried away...........I'm starting to smell something special in the air for Parra in 2010. Looking at the roster for next year there seems to be a great balance of experience and emerging talent - and a great mix of outstanding ability ( Hayne, Inu, Mortimer and more ) and just hard-working mongrel ( Hindmarsh, Reddy et al)...Really excited bout what Poore and Shackleton bring to the table and looks like they will add more starch and a bit of fear factor to the pack. Also looking forward later in 2010, depending on injuries and form, to seeing glimpses of Humble, Pele, Mitchell and the other emerging Eels.

I know I'm going back a bit ( yes, I have hit a half-century) but it's the sort of vibe that was evident in late 1980-1981. Again, don't want to jinx the boys....but this is one season that I am REALLY looking forward to enjoying - even though the competition will be more intense and tighter.
Dan November 24, 2009 at 10:50am

Thanks for the update Paul. Looking forward to getting stuck into next season.
Djl November 24, 2009 at 11:28am

ive been told by mates that are roosters fans, that shackleton was one of the best roosters forwards just cause he didnt do that good through the end of 2009, its hard to stay motivated when everyone else around you doesnt give a shit.

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