Parramatta Training - The Full Picture - Eels Blogs

This blog is aimed at those who've never seen the Eels training set up. My intention is to describe the venue, the people in attendance, the organisation and the work put into the preparation of our team. I hope that it helps those people who don't have the opportunity to view the team train.The venue is the Old Saleyards Reserve in East Parramatta. Even if you don't enter the ground itself, it is quite open to view the team train from many vantage points around the reserve. There are two playing fields that are complete, pretty much end to end. Temporary buildings have been constructed on the secondary oval. Earth moving equipment moves around the perimeter of the secondary oval. The main oval that they train on has a high quality surface and a small ammenities building. The entrance to the ground is behind this building. The support staff such as the physio set up in this block. This is the area that must be respected as the players zone. Whenever I watch training I never enter this area.As the players arrive, the support staff begin their set up. Pads are out onto the posts, footballs and drink bottles are put near the sideline, the drone begins some test runs and the media boys set up with their cameras. Players say their g'days and grab a football, doing their own warm ups with ball in hand.At the beginning of the session, the strength and conditioning coach takes them through the official warm ups and conditioning work. This can involve movement that relates to match movement - up and back, jogs and sprints, on the ground and up, lateral movements etc. The players then transition into ball work, hitting defensive lines, playing what's in front of them, backing up and supporting the ball player.iAs this is taking place, the rehab group is working on the far side of the oval. They are taken through exercises to strengthen their legs and maintain fitness. Their work is continuous and varied for the full 90 to 120 minutes of the training session. Occasionally a player might leave the group to get physio treatment. There are also usually players in attendance who have been excused from training or who cannot do the day's work. Kenny Edwards will be there watching as he cannot do this type of training or rehab yet, Darcy Lussick was watching the most recent training as he had been excused due to cork injuries, Nathan Peats simply worked on his kicking and passing game as he was not participating in contact work at the most recent training I viewed.The team then runs through improvised game scenarios. The players in attendance number more than two full teams. They are split into Wenty and Parra teams. This can give some idea into who will be playing, however it should never be taken as gospel. This is something that I don't report on as I don't like to put possible changes into the public forum for reporters etc to use.These improvised scenarios might involve defending multiple sets from line drop outs, penalties, scrubs etc. it might involve attacking from similar sets. All the while BA prowls around behind the line talking, advising, encouraging, correcting. The assistant coaches do the same. If the play breaks down you might see some players "punish" themselves by push ups. You'll hear the players yelling at each other.Now the match or opposed work begins. The referees join the training and Wenty and Parramatta commence a "match". Whilst the match will have a certain flow, BA might call for a repeat set or a certain type of restart. The contact work does not have the aggression of an NRL game for obvious reasons. You'll hear play calls on a certain tackle. This gives an insight into what the team will put on as they attack the line.You'll hear the talking in defence. The coaches will be calling out for certain players to correct their position or they'll be calling out praise for decisions, handling, lines run. A break will be taken and the players will group for a drink and a talk. Then it's back into the "match" for more of the same. At the recent training I found it encouraging to observe Darcy Lussick watching the match and engaging in it like a supporter.As the game continues the media team are taking photos and the drone flies overhead. The coaches might come together and discuss something then BA is back to his prowling behind the line, coaching his players. Players not involved might be yelling their encouragement. Like any match, interchanges of players will also occur.When the whistle is blown to conclude the match, the players congratulate each other and the entire staff come together for a talk. Brad Arthur and the coaches will say their bit and some of the senior players will have their say. However, the session is far from over.At this point the players will move off to work individually with a coach or in groups to do specific skill work. You'll see the forwards work through hit up plays. The dummy halves work on pick up and pass. The halves practising their attacking kicks, the back 3 working on taking the high ball. Some of the backs might just be working on steps, fakes, catch and pass work. Goal kickers do their work. Others have a bit of fun with kicks.The media crew then film some interviews and promos. If sponsors or executives are there they might come in for a chat with the football staff.These are also the moments when you'll see the players enjoy each other's company. Joking, laughing, having fun. Finally the players move off and the session concludes.I hope that this paints the full picture of a training session.Footnote: the most recent training session highlighted BA's investment in the full squad. He ran Wenty through about 40 minutes of plays and then sat with them for a talk that lasted for about 10minutes. The importance of having players in form, confident and ready for any call up is vital for the club.

The referees have not been at every training session that I've viewed. I started to see them at training about two weeks into the new year. At some of the preseason training there could be anywhere between 2 to 7 referees. At one of the sessions it was at least 7 and they were focussing on the revised ruck rule. There were referees walking the touch lines and discussing the calls made by the field refs. "That should be a penalty, he's offside, too slow there" etc. I took from this that working with NRL squads at training is a big part of the refs training.
I have seen referees at a training session in past years, but I have attended more sessions this year than past years. I think it's as much about a referees preparation as well as our training. As for this helping our penalty counts, I'd hate to think if it could be worse. Furthermore, our issue with refs is about the penalties that we don't get, which is something that we can't control.

"I mean sure, but Richo is at times a bit of a lone ranger. He could work with Ryles well.
But you have a point on wasting time as the longer we wait the closer we are to 2027 and need to set up the roster."

"Ryley looks injured. If he is give him a spell. Tds is the only other option. Pezet is too slow and a deadset liability in defence which made Kelly look worse than what he is. Should never have been brought here. Papa was improving week on week.…"

"Twiddle had 3 try assists in the halves, he is similar to a young Munster, I think he should make a debut this year at some stage, even off the bench. Lorenzo played very good also "

Replies

1ee April 10, 2015 at 8:59am

Your the best sixties!
Premier2018 April 10, 2015 at 9:09am

It's good that BA puts so much work in with the whole squad.

Considering the amount of injuries we've had we'd be lost if the Wenty players weren't fully briefed on the structures.
ScubaEel April 10, 2015 at 9:10am

Excellent summary - thanks for spending the time to put it together.

Lets hope Hoppa practices catching high balls all week, Chrissy practices his kicking and Watmough practices having his mind on the game. We have the Titans this week, and it's a good opportunity to play well for 80 minutes against a lower quality opponent (something Parra has not done well for years).
- sixtiesboy > ScubaEel April 10, 2015 at 9:15am
  
  Thanks. I actually aim to be as precise as I can with my normal report blogs. I thought that this extended description would help people to visualise what goes on behind the scenes.
Poupou Escobar April 10, 2015 at 9:21am

Are Wenty contracted players like Beau Henry and Jake Butler-Fleming in attendance?
- sixtiesboy > Poupou Escobar April 10, 2015 at 4:12pm
  
  Not in the training I've watched recently. Wenty contracted players are more likely to have a job and would not be able to train on week day mornings.
- Poupou Escobar > Poupou Escobar April 10, 2015 at 4:47pm
  
  Cheers mate
This reply was deleted.
- sixtiesboy April 10, 2015 at 4:13pm
  
  I've been told that BA reviews the footage after training and if there's anything that a player needs to work on he will review the footage again with the player.
Brax April 10, 2015 at 10:13am

Once again an excellent read thanks mate. Quick question..is this the first year we know of that Parra has engaged the Refs during our training? if so, has our penatly (against) count actually come down. I know under RS and SK we were one of the highest penalied teams in the comp..

keen to hear your thoughts on this
- sixtiesboy > Brax April 10, 2015 at 4:25pm
  
  The referees have not been at every training session that I've viewed. I started to see them at training about two weeks into the new year. At some of the preseason training there could be anywhere between 2 to 7 referees. At one of the sessions it was at least 7 and they were focussing on the revised ruck rule. There were referees walking the touch lines and discussing the calls made by the field refs. "That should be a penalty, he's offside, too slow there" etc. I took from this that working with NRL squads at training is a big part of the refs training.
  I have seen referees at a training session in past years, but I have attended more sessions this year than past years. I think it's as much about a referees preparation as well as our training. As for this helping our penalty counts, I'd hate to think if it could be worse. Furthermore, our issue with refs is about the penalties that we don't get, which is something that we can't control.

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This reply was deleted.

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Parramatta Training - The Full Picture

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