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It's been an honour, says Parramatta Eels' Nathan Cayless
8 Sep 10 @ 09:30am by Rick Allen
The curtain came down on the career of Parramattas longest-serving captain Nathan Cayless on the weekend. Editor Rick Allen asked him some curly questions about his 14 seasons with the Eels.
( Q ) Whats your overriding feeling about your time at the club?
( A ) Its been a privilege to play for one club, especially a club like Parramatta. A lot of people have said some nice things about me in the last week or so, but I got more out of it than I ever gave. I never wanted to leave.
( Q ) Do you remember your first game?
( A ) Yeah, South Queensland Crushers in `97 at Parramatta Stadium. We had a lot of Origin players out - Dean Pay, Jason Smith, Jim Dymock, blokes like that - so we had some young players like me in. We won easily, 50-4 or something like that. I really enjoyed it but I had to wait til 98 to get another chance.
( Q ) You played under a number of coaches. How did they influence you?
( A ) They all had different philosophies and gave me something different. Probably the most influential was Brian Smith because he was here for so long and he was the one who really gave me my chance, and made me captain at a young age. He gave me my football education and taught me whats required physically and mentally to be a first grade footballer. Michael Hagan taught me how to relax away from footie because it can be very consuming. Endacott and Kearney with New Zealand . . . all my coaches taught me things.
( Q ) Talking of captaincy, being given the job at 22 must have been hard. Did it drive a wedge between you and the other guys?
( A ) Not really. I was lucky that I had young guys like Nathan Hindmarsh, Michael Vella and Luke Burt there who helped me. They were always very supportive. Besides, Ive never tried to speak through words, but to lead by action on the field. Thats all Ive ever tried to do.
( Q ) Were you ever tempted to leave?
( A ) No I wasnt. I had a few feelers over the years but I was never really off contract and never tempted. I live 15 minutes from the ground, my family have always been happy here, my mates are here, and Ill continue to live here. Im not going anywhere.
( Q ) What sort of a spectator will you be?
( A ) I dont know . . . I know Im not much good when Im out injured but this is different. The hard part will come in November when they go back in to pre-season training without me. The mateship, the camaraderie, giving blood for each other on the field . . . theres nowhere else you can get that.
( Q ) Was there a moment when you knew it was time?
( A ) Not a specific moment as such, but Ive found the training is getting harder, especially pre-season. And after a game my body certainly has been telling me its time. Especially my knees.
( Q ) Will you find another sport?
( A ) Probably, Ive always played sport. Id like to but at the same time I want to see my kids play sport and spend more time with them. So whatever I do it wont be too time consuming. Hindy said the other day we might get an over 35s soccer team together in a couple of years. That would be fun, a bit of non-contact sport. If there is contact you just have to roll around in pain holding your leg like they do. I could do that.
( Q ) Youve played with some great Eels. Anyone stand out?
( A ) Hindy. Ive played pretty much my whole career with him, through the good times and the tough times. Its been great to witness first hand the great things hes done on the field. And of the young guys, obviously Haynesy does things that are pretty special, the sort of things that very very few players can do.
( Q ) Biggest disappointment?
( A ) Not to win the premiership and share it with these guys. Its every players dream, and we had our big chance in 2005 when we won the minor premiership. The Tigers won it that year and wed beaten them pretty comfortably each time wed played them. We lost to North Queensland in the finals. It just shows you have to be ready and take your chances. Saints were the other big favourites and they got knocked over too.
( Q ) Lets pick up the mood then. Was there a win that stood out above all others?
( A ) That fantastic run through to the grand final last year was unforgettable, especially the way the fans rallied around. Unbelievable. But as far as a single game goes, in 2005 we were beaten in Brisbane by 50 points, and then we had to play Melbourne who, the week before, had belted Brisbane by 50. The critics were saying wed be thrashed by 80 points, but we stuck it to them and got up and won. That was some feeling in the sheds after the game. It set us on the road to the minor premiership.
( Q ) Whos the funniest bloke you played with?
( A ) Mick Vella. Hes a great mate, but hes a weird guy, very annoying, very funny, he loves to get nude . . . just a real character. Hes captain of Hull Kingston Rovers now. Id love to know what goes over there.
( Q ) Best party animal?
( A ) Mick Vella again.
( Q ) Do you remember the hardest tackle you ever copped?
( A ) Ill never forget it. It was Matt Rua for Melbourne Storm. He snapped me in half one day. Geez it hurt. I managed to get to my feet and their halfback Matt Orford, who loved a chat, ran past with a big grin and said ``Ill bet that hurt. I wanted to say something smart back but I couldnt speak. The hardest tackle Ive ever had before or since.
( Q ) Your farewell message to the fans?
( A ) Its been a blast. Thanks for everything. And dont worry, I got more from you guys than I ever gave back. The clubs in great shape with really good kids coming through . . . players like Hindy and Burty to guide them. The futures bright. But now its time for my family. Erins been my rock and the kids are the greatest thing thats ever happened to me. See you at the game. Go the Eels!
It's been an honour, says Parramatta Eels' Nathan Cayless
8 Sep 10 @ 09:30am by Rick Allen
The curtain came down on the career of Parramattas longest-serving captain Nathan Cayless on the weekend. Editor Rick Allen asked him some curly questions about his 14 seasons with the Eels.
( Q ) Whats your overriding feeling about your time at the club?
( A ) Its been a privilege to play for one club, especially a club like Parramatta. A lot of people have said some nice things about me in the last week or so, but I got more out of it than I ever gave. I never wanted to leave.
( Q ) Do you remember your first game?
( A ) Yeah, South Queensland Crushers in `97 at Parramatta Stadium. We had a lot of Origin players out - Dean Pay, Jason Smith, Jim Dymock, blokes like that - so we had some young players like me in. We won easily, 50-4 or something like that. I really enjoyed it but I had to wait til 98 to get another chance.
( Q ) You played under a number of coaches. How did they influence you?
( A ) They all had different philosophies and gave me something different. Probably the most influential was Brian Smith because he was here for so long and he was the one who really gave me my chance, and made me captain at a young age. He gave me my football education and taught me whats required physically and mentally to be a first grade footballer. Michael Hagan taught me how to relax away from footie because it can be very consuming. Endacott and Kearney with New Zealand . . . all my coaches taught me things.
( Q ) Talking of captaincy, being given the job at 22 must have been hard. Did it drive a wedge between you and the other guys?
( A ) Not really. I was lucky that I had young guys like Nathan Hindmarsh, Michael Vella and Luke Burt there who helped me. They were always very supportive. Besides, Ive never tried to speak through words, but to lead by action on the field. Thats all Ive ever tried to do.
( Q ) Were you ever tempted to leave?
( A ) No I wasnt. I had a few feelers over the years but I was never really off contract and never tempted. I live 15 minutes from the ground, my family have always been happy here, my mates are here, and Ill continue to live here. Im not going anywhere.
( Q ) What sort of a spectator will you be?
( A ) I dont know . . . I know Im not much good when Im out injured but this is different. The hard part will come in November when they go back in to pre-season training without me. The mateship, the camaraderie, giving blood for each other on the field . . . theres nowhere else you can get that.
( Q ) Was there a moment when you knew it was time?
( A ) Not a specific moment as such, but Ive found the training is getting harder, especially pre-season. And after a game my body certainly has been telling me its time. Especially my knees.
( Q ) Will you find another sport?
( A ) Probably, Ive always played sport. Id like to but at the same time I want to see my kids play sport and spend more time with them. So whatever I do it wont be too time consuming. Hindy said the other day we might get an over 35s soccer team together in a couple of years. That would be fun, a bit of non-contact sport. If there is contact you just have to roll around in pain holding your leg like they do. I could do that.
( Q ) Youve played with some great Eels. Anyone stand out?
( A ) Hindy. Ive played pretty much my whole career with him, through the good times and the tough times. Its been great to witness first hand the great things hes done on the field. And of the young guys, obviously Haynesy does things that are pretty special, the sort of things that very very few players can do.
( Q ) Biggest disappointment?
( A ) Not to win the premiership and share it with these guys. Its every players dream, and we had our big chance in 2005 when we won the minor premiership. The Tigers won it that year and wed beaten them pretty comfortably each time wed played them. We lost to North Queensland in the finals. It just shows you have to be ready and take your chances. Saints were the other big favourites and they got knocked over too.
( Q ) Lets pick up the mood then. Was there a win that stood out above all others?
( A ) That fantastic run through to the grand final last year was unforgettable, especially the way the fans rallied around. Unbelievable. But as far as a single game goes, in 2005 we were beaten in Brisbane by 50 points, and then we had to play Melbourne who, the week before, had belted Brisbane by 50. The critics were saying wed be thrashed by 80 points, but we stuck it to them and got up and won. That was some feeling in the sheds after the game. It set us on the road to the minor premiership.
( Q ) Whos the funniest bloke you played with?
( A ) Mick Vella. Hes a great mate, but hes a weird guy, very annoying, very funny, he loves to get nude . . . just a real character. Hes captain of Hull Kingston Rovers now. Id love to know what goes over there.
( Q ) Best party animal?
( A ) Mick Vella again.
( Q ) Do you remember the hardest tackle you ever copped?
( A ) Ill never forget it. It was Matt Rua for Melbourne Storm. He snapped me in half one day. Geez it hurt. I managed to get to my feet and their halfback Matt Orford, who loved a chat, ran past with a big grin and said ``Ill bet that hurt. I wanted to say something smart back but I couldnt speak. The hardest tackle Ive ever had before or since.
( Q ) Your farewell message to the fans?
( A ) Its been a blast. Thanks for everything. And dont worry, I got more from you guys than I ever gave back. The clubs in great shape with really good kids coming through . . . players like Hindy and Burty to guide them. The futures bright. But now its time for my family. Erins been my rock and the kids are the greatest thing thats ever happened to me. See you at the game. Go the Eels!
