The Dyldam Parramatta Eels congratulate the following local juniors whom have been named in the U16s and U18s NSW Origin Pathways Camps held on Wednesday 21 January and Thursday 22 January 2015.
The selection of numerous Parramatta local juniors is a well-deserved reward after the talented youngsters have showed promising signs in their short careers.
Under 16s NSW Origin Pathways Camps selected players: Josh Curran (Edge Forward) , Ethan Parry (Outside Back), PJ Vaigalu (Middle Forward), Kytak Chan (Winger), Alex Seve (Half), Jesse Cronin (Middle Forward) and Tui Aufalou (Centre/Edge Forward).
Under 18s NSW Origin Pathways Camps selected players: Michael Doolan (Half), Troy Dargan (Half), Reimis Smith (Centre) and Denzal Tonise (Middle Forward/Hooker).
Reimis Smith (South Sydney), Ethan Parry (Tamworth), and Jesse Cronin (Beresfield) represent 3 out of 3 of externally recruited athletes eligible for the NSWRL Pathway Camp.
The one-day camps are staged to give players of significant potential an insight into what it takes to play State of Origin football for New South Wales. A number of aspects are covered including NSW players’ physical and mental preparation, team culture along with testing, field sessions and recovery.
“It is exciting for the boys selected to join the NSWRL Pathways Camp, at the same time I can identify with others considered unlucky not to be selected. Whilst I am happy for the boys I am acutely aware with what is involved with staff,” said Anthony Field, Parramatta Eels Elite Program's and Recruitment Coordinator.
“The Parramatta Eels Elite Program encompasses the areas of Recruitment and Retention, Coaching and Development, clearly our Elite Programs are well defined and operating nicely. Results like this do not happen overnight and represent the result of a lot of man hours with expertise in areas involving not just footy, but welfare, education and mentoring.”
Field acknowledged the players selection was well deserved after their continual hard work and dedication in the Eels Elite Programs pathway.
“Michael Doolan, Troy Dargan, Denzal Tonise and Reimis Smith are all currently involved in a NYC preseason. Doolan and Smith have graduated from the NSW Under 16 team to join the Under 18 Pathway Camp so it is rewarding to see them selected again,” said Field.
“Dargan, who unfortunately won’t be available to take part in the camp as he is overseas, recently returned from a successful Australian Schoolboy tour of the UK” he added.
“The U16 players named are also well deserved after the majority are enjoying their second year of being involved in the Harold Matthews competition.”
Replies
Not comfortable with pot shots at guys that spend 80 hours a week developing young players, he works a full day in th office and elsewhere and doesn't miss any evening sessions that the players do Monday to Thursdays and games Friday's and Saturdays. He is invaluable from what I have seen
Agreed. He's brought in two fantastic prospects to our already very strong junior rep teams. The players have really flourished under what he's done and hopefully he continues to stay with Parra because if we can keep the quality then our first grade team will prosper in years to come.
So who are the keepers amongst this batch, Ham? On an interesting note, there are 22 players in total who will attend the camp, which means that the Eels comprise 50% with 11 players selected. The other 11 eleven players all come from the Panthers.
It's hard to tell with the 16 year olds but Jesse Cronin, Tui Afualo, and Josh Curran all look to be future first grade players. As for the 18 year olds I don't think we can say anything positive that hasn't been said about Troy Dargan and Michael Doolan. Both are fantastic halves prospects and as is stated in the original article Dargan was picked in the Australian Schoolboys this year and played 3 games from memory. Dargan is the dominant half between the 2, his kicking game last year in the SG Ball (A year young) was pinning teams in their own half and he set-up a few tries and line breaks. Doolan on the other hand has a fantastic running game and was picked at fullback for Westfield Sports in the GIO schoolboy competition.
Reimis Smith is another one to look out for, he was brought over this year from South Sydney and has been picked for a few rep teams in the past. In the 2013 Harold Matthews Grand Final when we played Souths he scored a 60 metre try and another shorter distance.