Nathan Hindmarsh dismisses retirement talk
Veteran: Nathan Hindmarsh. Picture: Brett Costello
Source: The Daily Telegraph
EELS favourite Nathan Hindmarsh reckons he's been approached by plenty of league fans in the off-season who shook his hand and said: "You've had a great career, good luck with your retirement."
"I've copped it a few times, I even copped it on the weekend, so when you hear it you think, 'shit, maybe it is time to retire if people are thinking it',"
Hindmarsh said.
The truth is, the long-haired
Parramatta great is no closer to making a decision on what he will do beyond this season.
Eels fans agree no other player deserves a premiership more than their skipper who is entering his 15th season wearing the blue and gold.
But Hindmarsh said there was a lot to weigh up. His wife Bonnie has left the decision to him. A likely increase in the salary cap for 2013 - on the back of a new TV deal - will not sway him. And a chance to potentially break Darren Lockyer's all-time record of 355 games - Hindmarsh sits on an NRL-high 307 games - is not a motivating factor.
"All I want to be is a competitive player, and when I stop being competitive, that's when I'll give it away," Hindmarsh said as he prepared for training yesterday.
"I want to make sure I don't go too long and make a dick of myself. I'd like to finish being a competitive player, not back playing with Wentworthville (in the NSW Cup). I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but you really want to be playing first grade in your final year.
"The pre-season has been fine. I think I'm used to the hard training here we have under Steve (Kearney), and if it was harder than last year, I could have thought, 'geez, this could be my last year'. But it is easier getting through the pre-season, it's picking yourself up week after week after games. Until I see how I go there, I won't make a decision."
Hindmarsh is one of several high-profile stars not contracted beyond 2012, with mate and fellow veteran Luke Burt, Ben Smith, Justin Poore, Fuifui Moimoi and Shane Shackleton also up for renewal.
Hindmarsh, however, will be the biggest talking point given his stature and profile at the club.
Part of any new deal for Hindmarsh would fall under the NRL's long-serving player allowance, which is exempt from the club's cap.
To prove his profile remains sky high, Hindmarsh was again selected for the All Stars game by the fans. He can not wait to train and play along side some of the game's best.
At only 32, Hindmarsh has the potential to play another few years, but added: "You also have to think about the younger blokes chomping at your heels who are faster, stronger and more explosive. There's still some life left in these legs. We've also got some good young talent coming through the club and blokes fighting it out for positions."
Hindmarsh was aware his decision would generate plenty of headlines, and quipped: "Fuifui is the same age as me, but nobody is asking him anything (about retirement)."
