Hindy left "empty" after stadium switch

[Gronk]

Retiring Parramatta great Nathan Hindmarsh has played at Parramatta Stadium for the final time - he just wishes he knew it at the time.

The Eels' round-26 home game against St George Illawarra was on Thursday shifted to the far bigger ANZ Stadium - the move designed to help cater for a crowd in excess of 40,000 to farewell more than 1000 games of NRL experience.
Along with Hindmarsh, teammate Luke Burt will also play for the final time, as will Dragons' pair Ben Hornby and Dean Young.
But while Hindmarsh understands the reasons behind the move - with Parramatta Stadium having already been sold out - he admitted to an empty feeling knowing he had already made his final walk up his home tunnel.
"For me, it would've been nice to have known a few weeks ago, knowing that the Roosters game was going to be our last home game at Parramatta Stadium," Hindmarsh said.
"There's a bit of an empty feeling there that myself and Burty, we can't go out at Parramatta Stadium the way we would've liked to have gone out."

Asked if he was consulted about the move, Hindmarsh said: "About an hour or two before (the final decision).
"I don't think we were going to sway the vote, to be honest."
Watch the farewell game of Hindmarsh, Burt, Young and Hornby exclusively LIVE on Fox Sports 2HD from 6.30pm (EST) Sunday, September 2.
The match was only moved following the intervention of the NSW government, with Minister for Sport and former NRL referee and administrator Graham Annesley helping facilitate the move.
He labelled the move a win for the game, but there has already been some grumblings from Eels' fans not happy at giving up a home game.
"I always expected there would be a reaction from people who already had their tickets, but the fact is this a great outcome for the game," Annesley said.
"It's going to give all fans from both clubs an opportunity to be there and give these great stalwarts, one-club players who have given their careers to these clubs, the best possible send-off.''
Hindmarsh admitted to being a little selfish in wanting more than 50,000 there for his farewell, and was confident the Eels' fans would outnumber those of the red and white variety.
"I'm going to make a call out to all Parramatta fans to get out there," Hindmarsh said.
"When Burty and I run out of the tunnel, we want to see blue and gold. We don't want to see red and white.
"It's our home game so we're going to treat it like our home game.
"Speaking for Burty and myself, we'd like a really massive send-off. It sounds a bit selfish but that's what we're looking for."

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...rramatta-stadium/story-fn2mcuj6-1226457042154

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[Maroubra Eel]

Schamozzle.

 

[FROSTY319]

A disgrace.

 

[strider]

gee - given all that had gone on before and claims that they would allow hindy to chose, I had imagined that he would have been involved in the choice to switch it ..... but seems he had no real say, so that's f**ked

my initial reaction is that it was finally a good move, even though it was late .... but i've changed my mind and agree, a first class schamozzle

having said that - I hope people still try and put their disappointment aside and make the effort to go support Hindy and Burt and ensure it is blue and gold like he said.

 

[hineyrulz]

When did Hindy announce his retirement??? Around round 7??? They've had this long to organize it and they still f**k it up :crazy:

I agree with the decision but the club, trust and government have handled this very poorly. It's too late for me to get off work and fly down now. I'm sure it's cost quite a few other interstate fans as well :?

 

[Maroubra Eel]

It might be good to play at ANZ. But it should have been decided earlier. Its a shame they didn't know when their last game at Parra Stadium was.

 

[eel01s]

When did Hindy announce his retirement??? Around round 7??? They've had this long to organize it and they still f**k it up :crazy:

I agree with the decision but the club, trust and government have handled this very poorly. It's too late for me to get off work and fly down now. I'm sure it's cost quite a few other interstate fans as well :?

Exactly.

Also, this game should have been 3pm Sunday arvo from the minute Hindy announced his retirement.

That is the biggest disgrace for me.

 

[Gronk]

Waiting for the "waaaah" posts now....

The club shafted Caylo when it was his time to go by leaking the news. Now this to Hindy and Burty.

#amateurhour

 

[strider]

i agree

#amateurHour #f**kThatAmateur4Years

 

[Poupou Escobar]

We should all boycott this game to teach the club a lesson.

People power.

 

[Gronk]

We should all boycott this game to teach the club a lesson.

People power.

Save the sarcasm on this one merkin.

#unfunny
#f**koff

 

[Delboy]

Initially , like most fans, I thought what a great idea to have more supporters there.

I guess the cynic in me, now sees it as a play by the NRL to also farewell some friggin Stains players, what the begeesus do they have to do with Hindy. A packed Parra stadium was the correct farewell for our warrior at his cultural home, not at some grand conrete edifice with a bunch of other fans.

Reluctant to blame the board entirely, see some pressure from Ch nein and NRL in this, but what a shame. takes the edge of the day for us Eels fans

 

[Kornstar]

1 more year then for them both, we'll get it right next year instead!

 

[Tooooks]

Would've been good to have a Parra Stadium farewell game against the Roosters and the big farewell in front of a big crowd in round 26. Shame these imbeciles at the top have no forethought or common sense.

 

[forward pass]

Initially , like most fans, I thought what a great idea to have more supporters there.

I guess the cynic in me, now sees it as a play by the NRL to also farewell some friggin Stains players, what the begeesus do they have to do with Hindy. A packed Parra stadium was the correct farewell for our warrior at his cultural home, not at some grand conrete edifice with a bunch of other fans.

Reluctant to blame the board entirely, see some pressure from Ch nein and NRL in this, but what a shame. takes the edge of the day for us Eels fans

As I mentioned in another thread - apart from the kick in the guts to Hindy and Burt, it has robbed us of one of those memorable Parra Stadium days which don't occur often. I have no problem with the game being moved - I am more disappointed that the Roosters match was the chance to be a real special day and we missed it!!

 

[Cupid Stunt]

Why do Hornby & Young keep getting their names mentioned? With no disrespect, I don't give a flying one about those two getting a big send off. They have the chance to be acknowledged this weekend in front of their faithful. But if they are so important, why not move that game too?

I hate conspiracy theories, but this stinks of a money grab once Parra Stadium was full. Would Johns or Lockyer have been shafted like this? I highly doubt it...

 

[Delboy]

I woiuld add, a good friend of mine travels regulalrly from Newcastle with his family. Got tickets early for Parra Stadium, his son just wanted to run on the ground at the end and see where Hindy had played, talk about teed off

Heard Raaay carry on yesterday, saying that the admin did the right thing, but then said his usual bleat about how much better everything was under DF.

I will be at some junior semis this weekend, and will make sure any officials are advised of the feeling of the fans

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Save the sarcasm on this one merkin.

#unfunny
#f**koff

Just making sure you don't run out of shit to whinge about.

#lol

 

[Gronk]

Just making sure you don't run out of shit to whinge about.

#lol

No, you were being a f**kwit.

 

[parra-matters]

it will be embaressing for the NRL if they only get 30,000 and the stadium is less than half full, where as if it was Sunday arvo they would get around 50,000.