Game 1 - What Came From the Pre-Season? - Eels Blogs

After the dust settled on Friday night I firstly tried to put the opening game of the season into perspective. After all it was the first game. Now I'm putting their pre-season training under the microscope as it relates to their first hit out. What did I learn at the training sessions that I saw evidence of against Manly?1. Defence that attacks. I reported that the team was going to attack with the ball and attack against the ball. The team also worked on the second and third tackles after the kick chase. Being aggressive in defence to keep the opposition in their quarter for more tackles. Great application of this was seen on Friday night.2. A team that is confident with the ball. There was encouragement and drills focussing on players having the ability to play what's in front of them. In the game we saw Robinson run from dummy half to set up a try. We saw Sandow with his kick and chase. We saw others put in attacking kicks. From warm ups to drills the players use footballs. Brad Arthur coaches all of these blokes to be footy players, not athletes in support of a few footy players.3. The influence of Watmough. I reported Choc leading the way at training and he has instilled a controlled aggression in the blokes around him. Of course it's early days. It will be interesting to see how they perform when the opposition pack really challenges them.4. The work of the forwards. They trained well as a unit. I'm looking forward to seeing some of the passing interchanges I witnessed at training. Nonetheless, they laid the platform for this first win.5. The different team dynamic without Hayne. Hayne is the most talented player I've ever seen, but he had become too central to our attack. Look at how the opportunities created were shared around on Friday night. I'm not getting carried away but responsibility is more balanced at the moment.6. The joy in the team. Winning naturally feels good. But this enjoyment of each other's company and the encouragement and fun in the team was on display at every training session. It was great to see the same thing on the field.7. Training standouts. Tepai and Manu in the forwards. Look at Tepai's aggression on Friday. Waiting now on Manu and Tepai to run some great lines against the Dogs, the same way that they ran great lines at training. Sandow playing what's in front of him at training and then in games. De Gois putting in the extra work at training, leading the defence line speed with Choc at training and in bthe game and providing a point of difference when he was injected into the match. Taka looking as good in the game as he did at training. Hoppa's talk. It was great at training. It was too loud to hear anything at the game!8. What didn't fit. The dropped ball. As I mentioned in point 2, these blokes do lots of ball work. BA coaches these blokes to handle the football and to be confident with it. This might sound like captain obvious stuff, but it is an essential that can sometimes be put on the back burner when teams do their fitness work in the preseason. No such story at Parra so naturally BA was not happy.Overall, Friday night was a great demonstration of the team dynamic and team focus for this year. As our confidence and combinations build it looks like being a solid year. I'm really looking forward to it.Footnote: this blog is dedicated to Sir Col's fading attention span. Gotta keep delivering the epics for you mate.

"I really like Samrani but if JR decides to give him up for MB I think that is a massive mistake.
IMO Samrani should be 1st drop for either centre/ wing if one of our starters is out. Brian Kelly is bog average and not going to get better.
Samrani…"

"So u boys reckon he was signed for depth? I was hoping we'd see him combine with Fox on the left, but Ryles knows more. Samrani has the jump on him? we have too sit and watch tomorrow night. Stressing "

Replies

Earl Grey March 8, 2015 at 12:58am

Good write up again sixties.. I always look forward to your blogs..
Look to see more inside ball against the dogs, as their cover defence is not quite as good as manly's..
sixtiesboy March 8, 2015 at 8:11am

It's all part of the development process. There would be goals set based on the previous season and what we are trying to achieve in terms of the way we need to play the game so that we improve on last year. There is the different personnel. Now, as each game presents issues to be corrected, or each up coming game presents different skill sets that we are up against, the training will address what needs to be addressed. It will be interesting to see any changes that show up in next weeks game.
RIDER March 8, 2015 at 8:19am

Being the first game the guys appeared a little excited and Darcy's attempts at offload were a rush of blood.

I expect them to be better this Friday, but still expect a couple of dropped balls from heavy defense.

Limit the errors and more attacking defense and we're in with a good chance.
- sixtiesboy > RIDER March 8, 2015 at 1:04pm
  
  It should be a great forward battle. I reckon the boys will be pumped for this.
Alan Hunt March 8, 2015 at 8:30am

Very enjoyable read as usual 60's, Manly were not that great on friday night but neither were we and when the game was on the line we not only took the game away from them we put them to the sword. The Dogs pack will be much tougher but it will be a great test to see where we are at.
- sixtiesboy > Alan Hunt March 8, 2015 at 8:43am
  
  Agreed. Round 1 has given us something to look forward to this week rather than something to worry about.
- Trouser Eel > Alan Hunt March 8, 2015 at 8:45am
  
  I'm sad to report my preseason training was a failure. I didn't make it to the game due to a screaming headache (those who sit near me at the game will attest that I normally AM the screaming headache :-) ) Then I still couldn't remember the team song words when they were played on the TV.
sixtiesboy March 8, 2015 at 8:39am

Absolutely mate. Manly presented a pack that should have been dominated. The forwards laid the platform so the Dogs strong pack will give us an indication of how our blokes are travelling. I'm mainly interested in the attitude/mindset of our team. Getting 2 points is important but you can never get too excited early on. Nonetheless I will let myself get excited during and after any win. Let's not forget how few the wins were during the Kearney and Stuart eras and the manner of the losses.
sixtiesboy March 8, 2015 at 9:05am

It certainly wasn't the same at the game without you mate. I felt like my "wake up flag boy" screams were more a cry for my fallen friend than an earbashing for those bludgers who missed blatant forward passes and strips. Time to get back on that horse now Trouser, focus your preparation, and be in top form for the Souths game. I reckon one of those Burgess brothers needs a reminder of where they are playing.

This reply was deleted.

Eels Blogs

Game 1 - What Came From the Pre-Season?

Replies

More stuff to read

Eels blogs

Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in

1eE Modern day Eels team: Bench back-rower

Can Pezet leave already

Eels offering Jordan samrani

Note: this page contains paid content.

Social Blogs

Irony is Even Deader

Shark Attack..... Moses told to be wary of the surf!

Poppa's Dilemma, Welcome to my Corner, come in and have a Cuppa with a Silly Old Bastard. I think it's New Year Shortly?

Keaon done deal

Note: this page contains paid content.