No direct quotes from him about retiring, but this story from today's Sun Herald ( expect some sort of response from him though as he's sure to be asked whether it's true or just speculation )
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...e-at-seasons-end-for-eels-20120128-1qn0r.html
Hindmarsh to call time at season's end for Eels
Adrian Proszenko
January 29, 2012
The legendary Parramatta forward's 15th NRL season will be his last, bringing to end speculation over his playing future.
Hindmarsh has been agonising over the decision for months and it's understood he has only just made the call.
The 32-year-old sought advice about the right time to end his illustrious career from a number of people, including Newcastle legend Andrew Johns and his good friend Andrew Ryan, the former Canterbury skipper. He was keen to make his decision before the start of the season.
The news will come as a blow to Parramatta fans, who have watched the boy from Bowral become of the club's greatest players.
One of the most popular figures in the game, a cleanskin who has won the Provan-Summons Medal five times and was voted into next weekend's All Stars game, Hindmarsh can expect a farewell season to rival that experienced by Brisbane favourite Darren Lockyer.
However, he is not keen on any fanfare and is focused on breaking an Eels' premiership drought that has stretched into a 27th year. He has come close on two occasions, most notably grand final appearances in 2001 and 2009, but the ultimate prize has eluded him.
While he would never allow calls of ''Do it for Hindy'', the chance to send out Hindmarsh on a high note will provide extra motivation to his Parramatta teammates.
The larrikin back-rower already holds the record for the most appearances for the Eels with 307 and could have challenged Lockyer's mark of 355 NRL games had he chosen to continue for an additional season. He has also turned down a big payday by opting not to play into 2013, given a likely increase in the salary cap when a new television deal is negotiated. As a long-serving player, a chunk of his wage would have been exempt under the cap had he negotiated a new deal.
Hindmarsh has come a long way since his debut against Adelaide at Parkes back in 1998. He became a key figure in the team during Brian Smith's tenure, the coach famously describing him as possessing a ''swayback, fat gut and funny bum''. NSW and Australian honours soon followed and Hindmarsh has now clocked up a total of 23 games for his country and 17 for his state.
Hindmarsh burst onto the scene as a damaging runner of the football, but will be best remembered for his work without it. His love of tackling is the stuff of legend - he once made 75 in a match, then a world record, and was the first player to break through the 10,000 barrier. This figure is more remarkable given that, in his later years, he battled on despite arthritis in his right foot. But it's not just the number of tackles but the way they were made, often in scrambling, try-saving fashion. All the while, with his bum famously hanging out of his pants.
In an interview with The Sun-Herald last year, Hindmarsh credited his mother, Fiona, with nurturing his famed work ethic.
''She never let us give up,'' he said. ''There were times I wanted to give up on things because it was too hard, or because it wasn't the right thing for me; but Mum told me to stick at it. She was right. There are times when you lose, but it's good to know you at least gave your all.''
While Parramatta fans will be saddened by the news that this year will be Hindmarsh's last, it is also a blow to the game. The Robertson product's appeal is universal, one of the reasons he was chosen as the ''face of the west'' in rugby league's battle with AFL newcomers Greater Western Sydney.
He has been juggling playing and work with the Western Sydney Academy since 2009, when he won the Ken Stephen Medal for his community work. Since Lockyer retired he has been perhaps the game's most popular player.
Hindmarsh is one of several high-profile players off contract at the end of the year including Justin Poore, Luke Burt, Fuifui Moimoi, Ben Smith and Shane Shackleton.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...e-at-seasons-end-for-eels-20120128-1qn0r.html
Hindmarsh to call time at season's end for Eels
Adrian Proszenko
January 29, 2012
The legendary Parramatta forward's 15th NRL season will be his last, bringing to end speculation over his playing future.
Hindmarsh has been agonising over the decision for months and it's understood he has only just made the call.
The 32-year-old sought advice about the right time to end his illustrious career from a number of people, including Newcastle legend Andrew Johns and his good friend Andrew Ryan, the former Canterbury skipper. He was keen to make his decision before the start of the season.
The news will come as a blow to Parramatta fans, who have watched the boy from Bowral become of the club's greatest players.
One of the most popular figures in the game, a cleanskin who has won the Provan-Summons Medal five times and was voted into next weekend's All Stars game, Hindmarsh can expect a farewell season to rival that experienced by Brisbane favourite Darren Lockyer.
However, he is not keen on any fanfare and is focused on breaking an Eels' premiership drought that has stretched into a 27th year. He has come close on two occasions, most notably grand final appearances in 2001 and 2009, but the ultimate prize has eluded him.
While he would never allow calls of ''Do it for Hindy'', the chance to send out Hindmarsh on a high note will provide extra motivation to his Parramatta teammates.
The larrikin back-rower already holds the record for the most appearances for the Eels with 307 and could have challenged Lockyer's mark of 355 NRL games had he chosen to continue for an additional season. He has also turned down a big payday by opting not to play into 2013, given a likely increase in the salary cap when a new television deal is negotiated. As a long-serving player, a chunk of his wage would have been exempt under the cap had he negotiated a new deal.
Hindmarsh has come a long way since his debut against Adelaide at Parkes back in 1998. He became a key figure in the team during Brian Smith's tenure, the coach famously describing him as possessing a ''swayback, fat gut and funny bum''. NSW and Australian honours soon followed and Hindmarsh has now clocked up a total of 23 games for his country and 17 for his state.
Hindmarsh burst onto the scene as a damaging runner of the football, but will be best remembered for his work without it. His love of tackling is the stuff of legend - he once made 75 in a match, then a world record, and was the first player to break through the 10,000 barrier. This figure is more remarkable given that, in his later years, he battled on despite arthritis in his right foot. But it's not just the number of tackles but the way they were made, often in scrambling, try-saving fashion. All the while, with his bum famously hanging out of his pants.
In an interview with The Sun-Herald last year, Hindmarsh credited his mother, Fiona, with nurturing his famed work ethic.
''She never let us give up,'' he said. ''There were times I wanted to give up on things because it was too hard, or because it wasn't the right thing for me; but Mum told me to stick at it. She was right. There are times when you lose, but it's good to know you at least gave your all.''
While Parramatta fans will be saddened by the news that this year will be Hindmarsh's last, it is also a blow to the game. The Robertson product's appeal is universal, one of the reasons he was chosen as the ''face of the west'' in rugby league's battle with AFL newcomers Greater Western Sydney.
He has been juggling playing and work with the Western Sydney Academy since 2009, when he won the Ken Stephen Medal for his community work. Since Lockyer retired he has been perhaps the game's most popular player.
Hindmarsh is one of several high-profile players off contract at the end of the year including Justin Poore, Luke Burt, Fuifui Moimoi, Ben Smith and Shane Shackleton.
