Eels Blogs

I'm sure many people have written blogs on the legend that is Nathan Hindmarsh. Here is my view on Parramatta's legend. Nathan Hindmarsh, in my opinion, is the greatest defender the game has ever seen, but he didn't make his name as a defender. Hindmarsh was brought through the juniors by then Parramatta Coach, Brian Smith and made his debut alongside Nathan Cayless and Luke Burt. Hindmarsh was seen as a player with a huge work ethic and a damaging ball runner.

In the early part of his career he lived up to this view. He would constantly break defensive lines and cause havoc around the ruck. As well as that he'd still make over 30 tackles per game and play the full 80 minutes. Looking back on the early part of his career it is fair to say that he could share a lot of his defensive work load with the other forwards. He's, unfortunately, part of a dying breed. A one club man who likes to go about his business without fanfare. In my opinion a man built in the same mold as Lockyer and Civoniceva (Civoniceva was practically forced out of Brisbane and has now returned).

Hindmarsh was fortunate to play in a World Cup winning Australian team as well as a champion NSW team. However he is still chasing the elusive Premiership. In the middle of his career his attack was still his main weapon, however, his defence began to slowly take over. His move from promising young forward to experienced workhorse was starting. From 2002-2005 Hindmarsh was Parramatta's defence. If he didn't perform, Parramatta didn't win. Unfortunately this greatly hindered his attacking game as he would be required to do a larger load in defence. In 2005, with the signing of Glenn Morrison and the emergence of Chad Robinson, Hindmarsh was able to lighten his load in defence. He was still making the try saving tackles he had in the past but his general work around the ruck was not as heavy. Morrison and Robinson had a similar work ethic and provided the help Hindmarsh needed to keep his attack alive.

However, in the final regular season match of 2005 Hindmarsh injured his knee and required a full reconstruction. His loss was felt almost immediately. With Parramatta cruising through the first week of finals they were beaten comprehensively by the North Queensland Cowboys with Hindmarsh's work ethic obviously missing. The knee injury forced Hindmarsh to be more wary of his body and as a result his attacking game broke down. Gone were the days of the wide-running second-rower with a damaging step. He became more and more defence oriented. This was unfortunate as, in 2007 Parramatta re-signed his older brother, Ian Hindmarsh, who was almost a copy of his brother. Morrison and Robinson were still there but Hindy just didn't seem to have the legs anymore in attack.

In 2009, with the retirement of brother Ian and the leaving of both Morrison and Robinson, Hindmarsh was again seen as the defence of Parramatta. With the attack of Jarryd Hayne it seemed that even Hindmarsh had loosened up once again in attack. His hard running and offload were back and it seemed he was destined to win the competition that year. Unfortunately we all know what happened. 2010 and 2011 were seen as re-building years for the Eels with a change of coaching staff and narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon. At the completion of the 2010 season Hindmarsh became captain of the Parramatta Eels after his good friend and teammate Nathan Cayless retired. Hindmarsh had filled the big boots left by Cayless but he was now a defence oriented workhorse.

As 2011 drew to a close and Kearney trying new things Hindmarsh's attack sparked up somewhat. He wasn't back to his youthful level but his running game was more threatening and he ran harder than in previous years. Even with arthritis in his foot he has begun to show signs of his youth. Most notably in the All Stars Match. He was making damaging runs and leaving players in his wake.

It's not just his game play that makes him the legend he is. He's incredibly humble off the field. Often not wanting to talk about his own game, rather talking up a younger player or suggesting what can be done as a team to improve for the next game. His tireless community work has earnt him a Ken Stephen medal and he's a crowd favourite at any stadium.

It will be a sad day when Hindmarsh hangs up his boots. No one thought Ray Price could be replaced but Hindmarsh more than filled Price's boots. I think I can safely say that there will only ever be 1 Hindmarsh.

(Just a quick note; I don't mean any disrespect to the other members of the Parramatta team when I mention Hindmarsh as Parramatta's defence. I was taking a writer's liberty to describe the efforts of Nathan Hindmarsh and what it looked like from the outside looking in). He's a cult figure and legend of the game.