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http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=385574Parramatta Eels captain Nathan Hindmarsh says his side is still a chance of making NRL top eight
Source: The Daily Telegraph
PARRAMATTA fans, keep dreaming. Nathan Hindmarsh is convinced there is still life in the Eels.
The inspirational Parramatta skipper isn't about to come out and tell fans this is going to be another 2009 fairytale charge to the grand final but Hindmarsh reckons the Eels are better than a mathematical hope if attitude is anything to go by.
Stuck on 15 competition points and fourth last on the ladder in the countdown to Friday's crucial clash with arch-rivals Canterbury, Hindmarsh said yesterday his side trained like there still was a tomorrow.
"There is no sign of blokes kicking stones and thinking our season is over," he said.
"I have been involved with teams before where they have gone, 'well, we can't do any better, let's not play as well as we can'. But to the credit of the team this year, they have kept trying. They are still working hard.
"Today in the gym blokes were pumping out decent weights and they were working on their fitness still.
"There is definitely no sign of thinking the season is done and dusted."
Bookmakers agree.
TAB Sportsbet's Matt Jenkins believes the Eels can still sneak into the top eight on 27 points, which allows for one more defeat on the run home.
Parramatta have blown in betting following last weekend's loss to the Panthers and are now at $15 to make the play-offs, out from $9.
Of the other outsiders, Canberra are at $21 ahead of their clash with the Dragons, while the Roosters are still mathematical hopes and the bookies aren't prepared to turn out the lights on last year's grand finalists just yet.
"Outside of the top four it is pretty even," Jenkins said.
"That could allow teams to get in with less than 28 points, which hasn't happened in recent years."
Though you'd have to think this weekend is D-day for the Eels, Roosters and Raiders.
And probably the Dogs, too, who are on 18 competition points alongside Cronulla and Souths.
Behind the top four, the Cowboys are best placed on 26 points but without Johnathan Thurston for a few more weeks.The Warriors are on 22 points and Wests Tigers, Penrith and Newcastle all on 20.
Friday's Sydney blockbuster will be crucial for the Eels and Dogs but Hindmarsh said not to expect a repeat of their spiteful round-six encounter.
That was the night Jarryd Hayne turned the Bulldogs upside down with his razzle-dazzle early in the game down the left-edge before his brainsnap when he planted a headbutt on Corey Payne. The Eels went from a 14-blot lead to losing 34-14.
Hindmarsh said the controversial defeat hadn't been used as motivation this week.
"Definitely not, definitely not," he said.
"I am just approaching it how I approach every game.
"That happened a long time ago."
He said Friday night is not about the past.
"The group of players we have here are totally committed to trying their best each week," he said.
"The club is heading in the right direction. We are recruiting well. If it doesn't happen this year, we are building towards something.
"This is not a short-term fix. We are building."
