A Legend Retires

While I did write a blog detailing the Legend that is Nathan Hindmarsh, I don't think it was suited to his announcement of retirement. I'll start by saying that Hindmarsh is and always will be one of the most respected players in the NRL. He always played with pride and passion and gave it everything he had in every game he has played. But first let me take you back to where it all began. It began on 16th May 1998 in Round 10 when Parramatta faced the now-defunct Adelaide Rams. A young man by the name of Nathan Hindmarsh took the field for his first game in the NRL. Hindmarsh quickly epitomized what it meant to wear the Blue and Gold jersey. He was all about getting the job done, no matter what it was. He came into a team that was hungry for success having tasted it's last premiership 12 years earlier and with the retirement of club legends Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny several years earlier, was hoping to bring on the next batch of NRL talent. Hindmarsh's popularity began to soar and he became a regular fixture in First Grade, playing alongside friends as well as family in the form of Nathan Cayless, Luke Burt and Ian Hindmarsh. Little was Hindmarsh to know that his career would span over 300 games, 10,000 tackles, 30,000 metros and a number of representative jerseys. At the end of the 90's, Hindmarsh's close friend an teammate, Nathan Cayless was handed the Parramatta captaincy and forged a legacy of his own. Hindmarsh's unflappable work ethic had endeared him to Parramatta fans everywhere. But at this stage of his area it wasn't just his defence, it was his attack. He was one of the more mobile second-rowers at the time and had a knack for shrugging of defenders and then beating the covering defence in a race to the line. As Hindmarsh entered his 4th season in the NRL, he became part of one of the best Parramatta teams assembled since the Glory Years of the 80's. In 2001 Parramatta charged into the Grand Final having scored a World Record 900 points in a season, only to be beaten by an Andrew Johns inspired Newcastle. Never the less, the young Hindmarsh had gained a taste of Grand Final Footy, and it wasn't to be his last. With the ensuing years being some of Parramatta's darkest, Hindmarsh was a shining light with his now trademark long flowing hair and never say die attitude. Parramatta went for 3 seasons without being a Premiership threat. In 2005 Parramatta re-established itself with a bang, taking out the Minor Premiership. This came at a cost, with a season ending knee injury to Hindmarsh in the final round of competition. Parramatta bowed out meekly in the Preliminary Final without the hard working Hindmarsh. Hindmarsh's injury and Parramatta's signing of experienced back rowers in the following 2 seasons meant Hindmarsh now became a very defence focussed player. He quickly became renowned for making large numbers of tackles and try-saving tackles. If there was a break-away you could almost guarantee Hindmarsh was the man chasing, and it didn't matter who he was chasing, he'd keep going. He'd chase Civinoiceiva as hard as he'd chase Billy Slater. His durability and work ethic came to the fore in 2007 when he racked up a World Record 75 tackles against the Melbourne Storm. After having a relatively quiet 2008 Hindmarsh was back to his best in 2009 and rode one of the most famous charges to the Grand Final the game had ever seen. 8 years earlier Parramatta entered the Grand Final the favourites, tipped to play the "un-losable" Grand Final. In 2009 the roles were reversed. This time Parramatta were the under dogs and riding on the ability of Jarryd Hayne. They were up against a Melbourne Storm team that had dominated the competition for the previous 2 seasons. Unfortunately for Hindmarsh and his close mates, Cayless and Burt, he tasted Grand Final defeat for a second time in his career. In the ensuing years Hindmarsh broke the record for most games played by an Eel, he became just the 3rd man to pass 30,000 running metres and the first player to pass 10,000 tackles. Along with those he became a member of the exclusive 300 game club in 2011. As Hindmarsh's career begins to end many fans are already asking will we ever see another Hindmarsh? The same question was asked in 1986 when Parra legend Ray Price retired and 12 years later the fans had their answer. Unfortunately Hindmarsh is part of a dying breed. The work horse is no longer a must have player in each team. Instead teams are opting for skillful and more agile back rowers. Hindmarsh is a once in a generation player who had shown an unbelievable ability to keep going when everyone else has given up. Hindmarsh will retire as the most capped Parramatta player of all time. All of this started when a then 19 year old kid made his debut 15 years ago in Adelaide. He grew up and became a true legend of Parramatta and the NRL. Thankyou Nathan, for everything you have done for this club over the past 15 years and hopefully the team can bring home the big one this season.

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