The Phelan Folly
Juniors
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Greg Prichard | May 21, 2009
NATHAN HINDMARSH thought about finishing his career with a big pay day in England - even went as far as to find out what was available - but in the end he couldn't bear the thought of not giving himself every chance to win a premiership with Parramatta before he retired.
Hindmarsh yesterday detailed the thought process behind his decision to extend his contract with the Eels until the end of the 2012 season. He was at ANZ Stadium, the venue for Parramatta's home game with South Sydney tomorrow night.
It was there he had his only shot at grand final glory, with the Eels team that lost 30-24 to Newcastle in 2001, and it is there he wants to return for another shot - hopefully successful, this time - before it is all over.
The way Parramatta are going at the moment - this season is practically a write-off already, with just three wins and six losses and long-term injuries to key players - it might seem to some Hindmarsh is hoping for too big a recovery even in the 3½ seasons he has left.
But the NRL is such an even competition these days that teams can go up just as quickly as they go down, and Hindmarsh said he went to Eels coach Daniel Anderson to find out what the coach's plans were for the club before he decided on his future.
"I did talk to Daniel, and it was one of the key factors in my staying at the club," he said. "After hearing what he had to say, I believe Parra can do something while I'm still here. We're not travelling very well at the moment, but Ando's got some great ideas in place.
"It's about retaining some players - we do need senior players, and [captain] Nathan Cayless is in those plans, definitely - and going on the lookout for some players. We've got plenty of talent here already - Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu, Feleti Mateo, Kris Keating - we've just got to get it together."
Hindmarsh, 29, said he checked out Super League because he wanted to establish all the options, but in the end the veteran of success with NSW and Australian teams was driven by the thought of achieving his one remaining career goal.
"I had permission, in the last contract I signed, to look in England," he said. "I had an offer from a Super League club, and it was very good money. I thought long and hard about it, sat down with my partner, Bonnie, and spoke to a few other people as well.
"But I thought the best decision for me was to stay in Sydney, and Parramatta. It's where my heart wanted to stay, and I thought I would have found it very hard to go to England. I didn't want to risk Bonnie or the kids being unhappy. Bonnie and I were umming and ahhing, but we made up our minds to stay.
"I'd love to win a grand final with Parramatta, and that was a big factor in my decision to stay. Having an opportunity to win one and losing it just makes me more determined to win one at Parra. 'Ando' could be a coach who could get us there."
Hindmarsh, who was originally contracted to the Eels until the end of next season, said his mind became clear a couple of weeks ago.
"I just turned up to training one day, the sun was out and the boys were having fun, and I thought, 'This is what I like to do, this is my home,"' he said. "I'll be turning 33 towards the end of my final year at Parra, and I'd say that would do me. I will have had a great career, and I'd love to finish up at Parra. Hopefully do a lap with the trophy."
Rookie prop Tim Mannah has re-signed until the end of 2011, and said the chance to continue working with Hindmarsh and Cayless was a major attraction.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/...ship-with-parra/2009/05/20/1242498807992.html
Why cant we have 17 of him???
NATHAN HINDMARSH thought about finishing his career with a big pay day in England - even went as far as to find out what was available - but in the end he couldn't bear the thought of not giving himself every chance to win a premiership with Parramatta before he retired.
Hindmarsh yesterday detailed the thought process behind his decision to extend his contract with the Eels until the end of the 2012 season. He was at ANZ Stadium, the venue for Parramatta's home game with South Sydney tomorrow night.
It was there he had his only shot at grand final glory, with the Eels team that lost 30-24 to Newcastle in 2001, and it is there he wants to return for another shot - hopefully successful, this time - before it is all over.
The way Parramatta are going at the moment - this season is practically a write-off already, with just three wins and six losses and long-term injuries to key players - it might seem to some Hindmarsh is hoping for too big a recovery even in the 3½ seasons he has left.
But the NRL is such an even competition these days that teams can go up just as quickly as they go down, and Hindmarsh said he went to Eels coach Daniel Anderson to find out what the coach's plans were for the club before he decided on his future.
"I did talk to Daniel, and it was one of the key factors in my staying at the club," he said. "After hearing what he had to say, I believe Parra can do something while I'm still here. We're not travelling very well at the moment, but Ando's got some great ideas in place.
"It's about retaining some players - we do need senior players, and [captain] Nathan Cayless is in those plans, definitely - and going on the lookout for some players. We've got plenty of talent here already - Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu, Feleti Mateo, Kris Keating - we've just got to get it together."
Hindmarsh, 29, said he checked out Super League because he wanted to establish all the options, but in the end the veteran of success with NSW and Australian teams was driven by the thought of achieving his one remaining career goal.
"I had permission, in the last contract I signed, to look in England," he said. "I had an offer from a Super League club, and it was very good money. I thought long and hard about it, sat down with my partner, Bonnie, and spoke to a few other people as well.
"But I thought the best decision for me was to stay in Sydney, and Parramatta. It's where my heart wanted to stay, and I thought I would have found it very hard to go to England. I didn't want to risk Bonnie or the kids being unhappy. Bonnie and I were umming and ahhing, but we made up our minds to stay.
"I'd love to win a grand final with Parramatta, and that was a big factor in my decision to stay. Having an opportunity to win one and losing it just makes me more determined to win one at Parra. 'Ando' could be a coach who could get us there."
Hindmarsh, who was originally contracted to the Eels until the end of next season, said his mind became clear a couple of weeks ago.
"I just turned up to training one day, the sun was out and the boys were having fun, and I thought, 'This is what I like to do, this is my home,"' he said. "I'll be turning 33 towards the end of my final year at Parra, and I'd say that would do me. I will have had a great career, and I'd love to finish up at Parra. Hopefully do a lap with the trophy."
Rookie prop Tim Mannah has re-signed until the end of 2011, and said the chance to continue working with Hindmarsh and Cayless was a major attraction.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/...ship-with-parra/2009/05/20/1242498807992.html
Why cant we have 17 of him???
