The Dyldam Parramatta Eels Junior Representative sides were in action over the weekend (Saturday 31 January 2015) as part of the Blue and Gold’s 2015 pre-season trials.
The Eels had multiple teams from the Under 15 Parramatta Talent Squad, SG Ball and Harold Matthews Cup sides in action at Hammondville Oval, Moorebank against the Canterbury Bankstown Junior Representatives and Elite Program's and Recruitment Coordinator Anthony Field was happy with the early signs.
“The Harold Matthews cup side trialled well. They have started off the season with a couple of injuries but they are on track and coming along nicely,” Field said.
“They got beaten by the Dogs on the weekend but having said that we played two teams and tried plenty of different combinations” he said after their narrow four tries to six loss.
Field was also impressed with the comfortable and dominant display shown by the Eels’ Under 18 SG Ball Cup side, pinpointing several key players to keep an eye on.
“The SG Ball side had a very good trial and we are now back to full strength with Troy Dargan joining us after his Australian schoolboy tour and Denzal Tonise coming back from the NYC side, along with Anthony Layoun from injury.” Field said.
“Their combinations will take a little while but they are looking very good”, he added.
Field played particular credit to upcoming star James Tasipale who was very impressive in the victory over the weekend.
“James Tasipale has been super impressive and I am very happy with his progress. He has been good at training, his effort and his preparation has been very good in the pre-season and that is being reflected on the footy field.”
The strong performances throughout the day began with the Under 15 Parramatta Talent Squad, with all players impressing Field in their dominant in their two appearances against the Bulldogs.
The trials mark the start of the 2015 Eels Junior Representative season with all involved heading to a training camp this weekend.
“The junior reps have a camp at Narrabeen this Saturday and Sunday and after that, they will focus their training to lead into Round One (14 February) of the 2015 season,” Field said.
“The squads were finalised this week, down to about a squad of 25 so the camp is a little bit of bonding for all involved.”
“We haven’t concentrated on much of the structure, teamwork and combinations. It has all been about physical preparation up to this point so we have a lot of work to do, but it will all come together as the season unfolds.”
